Mid-American Conference 2004-05 Preview
The Mid-American Conference is most certainly the Mac of the mid-major conferences around the country. There is a lot of little known talent in this league and there will be a lot of interesting surprises from the conference throughout the year.
The MAC just signed an agreement with Fox Sports Ohio to broadcast many of their men’s basketball games this season. The MAC signed a three year deal with FOX and football, basketball, and Olympic sports are to be televised to nearly 4.5 million viewers to the regional audience. There could possibly be 100 conference events televised including several basketball games.
In the East, the Buffalo Bulls look to rise to the top of the division. They return a very talented and experienced squad and are led by their superstar guard Turner Battle. They also have a dominating presence in the middle in their big man Yassin Idbihi. They will have to survive some tough division competition with Kent State and Miami (OH) looking pretty strong as well. These two teams have a shot at taking home the title in the East.
The West is packed with talent this year. Teams like Toledo and Western Michigan have great players returning. Toledo should take home the title in the West. They return all five starters and have an extremely aggressive and talented backcourt, led by projected player of the year in the MAC, Keith Triplett. However, Western Michigan and maybe even sleeper Ball State could make a campaign for the top team in the West.
One thing is for sure in the MAC conference this season, it’s going to be an exciting one. The MAC could even produce three to four teams who could earn bids the NCAA Tournament. This is a talent packed conference that is not to well known, but come March some of these teams will be glued together and ready to run, so watch out, MAC teams could play some big roles in the post season.
First Team All MAC
Toledo – Keith Triplett
Ball State – Matt McCollom
Kent State – DeAndre Hayes
Buffalo – Turner Battle
Western Michigan – Ben Reed
Player of the Year
Toeldo’s Keith Triplett will take honors as the top player in the MAC this season. He led the MAC in steals last year with 2.5 a game. He was second in scoring with 19.6 ppg. He also was 11th in the conference in assists with 3.1 a game. He was named to the All MAC team and All MAC Tournament team last year.
Coach of the Year
Reggie Witherspoon. Last year the Bulls went 17 – 11, their best record since joining the MAC in 1999. This year they are projected to win the East Division, behind the frontcourt play of their star Turner Battle. Witherspoon could see a breakthrough year if the Bulls can get a bid to the big dance.
Defensive Player of the Year
Keith Triplett is a feisty guard defensively with quick hands and even quicker feet. Last year he led the MAC in steals with 2.5 spg. He is a virus defensively, shutting down any backcourt competitor. His steals will lead to run outs and easy buckets for the Rockets this season, and his intense and exciting effort on defense will land him this honor.
Coach on the Hot Seat
Eastern Michigan’s Jim Boone has been the coach of the Eagles for the past five seasons. He has had the chance to bring in some of his own recruits and install his style of play into the program. This year he signed a one year contract extension with Eagles, to let his program pan out. If he and the Eagles do not perform well this year and finish better than a mediocre 5th in the West, like last season, Boone will feel the heat.
Eastern Division
1. Buffalo Bulls
17 – 12 (11-7), 3rd in East Division
Returning Starters: G Turner Battle, F/C Yishin Idbihi, F Mario Jordan, Jr., F Mark Boltz, G/F Daniel Gilbert
The 2003-2004 MAC coach of the year Reggie Witherspoon welcomes back five starters for this season. Included in these starters are his two big guns, Turner Battle and Yassin Idbihi. Idbihi, a 6 foot 10 inch sophomore forward, was named to the All MAC team last year. This year Idbihi looks to return for the Bulls as their weapon in the middle. Reggie Battle brings back exciting play offensively for the Bulls. Last year Battle averaged 15 ppg. Behind the strong play of Battle and Idbihi and the leadership of Witherspoon the Bulls are going to win the Eastern division this year in the MAC.
2. Kent State Golden Flashes
22 – 9 (13-5), 1st in East Division
Returning Starters: G DeAndre Hayes, C Nate Gerwig
This season the Kent State Golden Flashes will be looking to win their fifth straight division title in the East of the MAC. They are also looking to have their seventh straight 20 win season. The Golden Flashes will have to overcome their loss of 7 foot center, John Edwards, who holds the school record for all time blocks. They also have to overcome the loss of veteran guard Eric Haut. They should be able to do this with strong backcourt play from returning guard DeAndre Hayes. Hayes made the All MAC team last year, led the MAC with 5.7 assists per game and was second in steals with 2.32 a game. Also returning is 6 foot 8 inch center Nate Gerwig who is returning from missing all of last season with a knee injury. In 2002 – 03 he averaged 7.1 ppg and averaged 4.3 rebounds per game. Hayes and company look to repeat their success of last year in the 04 – 05 season.
3. Miami Redhawks
18 – 11 (12 – 6), 2nd in East Division
Returning Starters: G Chet Mason, F Danny Horace, G Josh Hausfeld, C Monty St. Clair
Depth is the word at Miami, Ohio. From last year’s successful squad the Redhawks return 10 letter winners and four starters. The talent pool in the MAC is very strong this year and head coach, Charlie Coles, enters this season with some cautious optimism. The Redhawks are going to have to deal with the fact that they lost their leading scorer from last year and All MAC first teamer Juby Johnson. Leading the charge for the Redhawks campaign this season are three returning seniors. Chet Mason, Danny Horace, and Tim Schenke will be the sparkplug for the Redhawks’ run. These three have been named the captains of this year’s squad. Monty St. Clair, a junior, has developed into a solid inside presence and gives the Redhawks some size. The Redhawks look to have another successful, above .500 season and may have the chance to make an impact somewhere in the postseason.
4. Akron Zips
13 – 15 (7 – 11), 5th in the Eastern Division, 11th Seed in Conference Tournament
Returning Starters: F Jeremiah Wood, C/F Matt Futch
The Akron Zips look to turn things around this year after a sub par performance last season. The Zips have brought in a new head coach, Keith Dambrot, and along with him a whole new attitude for the program. “Thing big” and a new team first mentality have been the main inspiration for the Zips this off season. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Zips, but the new attitude of the coach, players, and program has created a new, exciting buzz around Akron basketball. The Zips return two starters and 12 letter winners from last year’s team. After suffering the loss of leading MAC scorer from a year ago, Derick Tarver, they look to rebound behind the solid play of a potent sophomore class. Matt Futch looks to be a force inside for the Zips and junior red shirt Darryl Peterson looks to step up and fill the loss of Tarver’s 22 ppg. A new coach and a new buzz may be the formula for a decent season at Akron.
5. Marshall Thundering Herd
12 – 17 (8 – 10), 4th in East Division
Returning Starters: G A.W Hamilton, G Ronny Down, C/F Mark Patton
The Thundering Herd Had the toughest schedule in the MAC conference last year. This year their schedule is much of the same, except that a lot of Marshall’s tougher opponents will be coming to Huntington to play the Herd at home. The Herd will face 8 teams that made the postseason last year. The Herd, in head coach Ron Jirsa’s second year, are bringing in some new talent to give Marshall a new look this year. The Herd signed Collins Okafor, a 6′ 7″ 225 pound forward from Nigeria. They have five seniors returning and their starting backcourt coming back. Behind their strong and experienced guard play, the Thundering Herd look to make a move in the MAC’s East Division.
6. Ohio Bobcats
10 – 20 (7 – 11), 6th in East Division
Returning Starters: F Sonny Troutman, F Terren Harbut
After a horrible season last year there isn’t much chatter about Bobcat basketball in Athens. In the third year of the Tim O’Shea era, the Bobcats look to turn this basketball program around. O’Shea’s groundwork for the program is established. The first recruiting class he had is now seniors. His defensive and offensive systems are in place, with players coached under those styles and the Bobcats face a schedule molded to their coach’s image. The Bobcats’ starting lineup from a year ago took a pretty big hit with the loss of their two leading scorers Jaivon Harris and Thomas Stevens. They also lost an inside presence in Delvar Barrett. They look to rebound behind strong play from two of their returning frontcourt members, Sonny Troutman and Terren Harbut. These two youngsters are the bright spots for the Bobcat team as they look to turn their program around after three mediocre seasons.
Western Division
1. Toledo Rockets
20 – 11(12 – 6), 2nd in West Division
Returning Starters: G Keith Triplett, G Sammy Villegas, G Justin Ingram, C Allen Pinson, F Florentino Valencia
The Toledo Rockets are everyone’s favorites to win the MAC this year. Head Coach Stan Joplin returns all five starters from last year. Among these players, is MAC standout and favorite for player of the year honors in the MAC is guard Keith Triplett. He was an All MACFirst teamer last year and has the Rockets looking to make big strides in the NCAA tournament. The Rockets have an exceptional backcourt, along with Keith Triplett they return a very young point guard in Justin Ingram. Last year Ingram as a true freshmen won the starting job at the point. His vision and ability to run the fast break will make it an exciting year at Toledo. With the Rockets talent and experience they could possibly make a run into the second or third round of the NCAA tournament.
2. Ball State Cardinals
14 – 15 (10 – 8), 3rd in West Division
Returning Starters: G Matt McCollom, F Terrance Chapman, G Michael Bennett, G Dennis Trammell
The big theme this year for the Ball State Cardinals is “finish.” Last year, according to their head coach, Tim Buckley, there were at least seven games where his Cardinals lost because they failed to finish out the game. Last year the Cards were a very young team and had opportunities to win big games on the road but just couldn’t close the deal. This year the Cards look to have success when they are in those situations again. This success falls on the backs of four returning seniors. Michael Bennett, Terrance Chapman, Matt McCollom, and Dennis Trammell will be the impact players for the Cards. Senior guard Matt McCollom will lead the Cards this season. He has already been named to the All MAC team twice in his career and has had 12 appearances in which he scored in double figures, including three over twenty.
3. Western Michigan Broncos
26 – 5 (15 – 3) 1st in West Division
Returning Starters: G Brian Snider, G Ben Reed, G Rickey Willis
The Broncos are going to be very experienced in the backcourt department. They have three returning starters all three of which are guards. The standout returning player is Ben Reed. Reed made the All MAC team last year, averaging 16 ppg and 4.9 rpg. Western Michigan will have to deal with the loss of two key players from last year’s record setting team. The Broncos lost Mike Williams who averaged 18.9 ppg and nearly eight rebounds per game, and they also lost Anthony Kann who averaged nearly thirteen points per game. They did win the West Division last year, but with a somewhat inexperienced front court and the loss of two key players they will most likely finish in the middle of the pack in the West this year.
4. Bowling Green Falcons
14 – 17 (8 – 10), 4th in West Division
Returning Starters: F Josh Reimhold, F Corey Eyink, G Josh Almonson
The Falcons start their eighth season under head coach Dan Dakich. They welcome back eight lettermen and three returning starters. Last year, under Dakich, they advanced to the MAC Quarterfinals for the fifth straight season. The Falcons will turn to their three returning seniors this year, Josh Almanson, Cory Eyink and John Reimold. These three will lead a crew who led the MAC in free throw shooting percentage last year. BGSU will also have to turn to juniors Steven Wright and Germain Fitch. These two will have to step up and be at the top of their games in order for the Falcons to succeed.
5. Eastern Michigan Eagles
13 – 15 (7-11), 5th in West Division
The Eastern Michigan Eagles are hoping to ride the coattails of a returning frontcourt player for success this season. The Eagles junior forward, John Bowler is an All MAC player. He had a great season last year tying for the lead in most double doubles for the season. He finished second in the league in rebounding, averaging 8.2 rpg. He also averaged 13.2 ppg. The Eagles will be under the leadership of head coach Jim Boone. Boone just signed a one year contract extension with the Eagles and has spent the past four seasons rebuilding the program. This year, Boone and the Eagles look to improve their mark in the MAC after last year’s 7 – 11 conference record.
6. Northern Illinois Huskies
10 – 20 (5-13), 6th in West Division
Returning Starters: G Anthony Maestranzi, F Todd Peterson
With only one senior on the roster, youth will be the big thing for Northern Illinois. Last season 9 out of 13 players with only two years of experience or less suffered the lessons that make college basketball what it is. Putting a bunch of young inexperienced players on the floor showed in their record from the 03 – 04 campaign. This year head coach, Rob Judson, will again be playing with a very young squad. However, many of them are coming back a year older and with more experience under their belts. The Huskies have some versatile weapons on the floor offensively, especially around the perimeter. With four swing players on the team, they have size on the perimeter, which can be very dangerous. Included in this group of four is returning starter Todd Peterson who led the Huskies in three point field goal percentage last year.
7. Central Michigan Chippewas
6- 24 (2 – 16), 7th in West Division
Returning Starters: F Tony Brown, G Kevin Nelson
This is the second straight season the Central Michigan Chippewas have the daunting task of replacing the team’s overall scoring on their plate. They also have to deal with losing a dominating big man in the middle. Gerrit Brigitha was CMU’s go to guy. He led them in scoring and rebounding last year, now they have to turn to Sefton Barret. Barret returns as the top rebounder for the team, with 3 per game last year. Jay Smith, head coach, returns only six letter winners and two starters. CMU’s returning starters are their utility player Tony Brown and their sharpshooter Kevin Nelson. Nelson is the top returning scorer from last year, averaging 12.2 ppg.
