The new format has given the MAC exactly what it wanted, which, I believe, was to ensure that its best teams won the only bid, thereby increasing the chances of the MAC making a run in the Big Dance, thereby enriching the coffers of our fair league.
Anyway, the first two rounds saw a couple of upsets. WMU and UT emerged to make the quarter finals. However, they lost against OU and Kent, who had been waiting there for them, leaving the top 4 MAC teams in the semi-final.
Now, that was how it was supposed to be. I also think, however, that there were 4 teams in the MAC this year that set themselves apart and a gulf following them. So, maybe that's just how it was. The league is not deep this year, nor has it been deep in quite a while.
It is possible you think that having an underdog make a big run is what makes a tournament exciting. That's not what the MAC is going for.
So, anyway, for year one, it has worked.
Last night's games were excellent. Akron has now beaten their arch-rival Kent 3 times in the same season, and that's a significant accomplishment. Last night's win was solid, Akron was in control most of the way.
In the other semi, Ohio beat Buffalo in an excellent game. Mitchell Watt was just unstoppable on the inside (and occasionally on the outside). He was just great. OU got a typical DJ Cooper game out of DJ Cooper, though he did have 9 assists, but got some surprise inside play from TJ Hall and Reggie Keeley.
OU had held nice leads the whole way, and when Buffalo closed the gap in the final minutes, Ivo Baltic, a player I have always liked a lot, nailed jumpers on 2 straight possessions to put OU in position to win. Thanks to Bobcat missed FTs, the last minute was crazy, but ultimately a smoky kitchen without any actual fire.
So, tonight, it is Akron against OU for the bid. Akron has one unique thing, as it relates to making a run, and that is while the Zips have good guard play (the key to tourney upsets), they have Zeke Marshall on the inside, and won't be automatically victimized by a team that can get the ball inside.
OU also has some guards, but they don't have the true big man, which can often be a problem, especially when you are a 13/14 seed. (Lunardi has the Zips as a 14 seed.)
Anyway, the action at the Q is what the MAC wanted, which is to have the chalk play. I think the four best teams in the MAC played last night, and it provided a good night of basketball. Tonight's game should be interesting....how much of an advantage does Akron have, only playing on the second straight night, while OU is playing on their third?
Well, that will have to be determined. I do like Akron in the game. That's just a very solid team with depth and experience.
One last note. Akron has been in the MAC Championship the last 6 years. That's impressive. Why can't BG build a program like that?
Oh: one more thing. We also didn't have an unqualified West Champion polluting one of the byes. The four best teams were there. In another year, Kent would have been playing TWO extra games. And the East had all the final four slots, as it should be.
Oh: one more thing. We also didn't have an unqualified West Champion polluting one of the byes. The four best teams were there. In another year, Kent would have been playing TWO extra games. And the East had all the final four slots, as it should be.
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