Media Predicts BG MBB to Finish 5th in East

The media poll is in from the MAC office.  BG is picked to finish 5th in the East, ahead of only Miami.  The Falcons did get one first place vote.

Everyone seemed surprised by this:

BG coach Chris Jans: "I would like to figure out the one person that picked us first. That was shocking."
— Jason Arkley (@JasonAmessenger) October 28, 2014

More is coming through the week on this, but I think there will be plenty to watch for this year.  BG brings a lot back from last year's team and added some guys and maybe some new energy.  Depth will be better.  On the other hand, they are starting lower on the mountain than the other programs are and the main guy they did lose was the primary inside guy and BG will be very small this year.

All that to say that I don't think it is unreasonable to pick BG 5th or 6th.  That's the most likely scenario based on what we know today.  Again, we will talk more about what would have to change to make that better in the next couple days.

Here is the full poll:

2014-15 MAC East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Akron – 117 points (17 1st Place)
2. Ohio – 92 (2)
3. Kent State – 66
4. Buffalo – 58
5. Bowling Green – 52 (1)
6. Miami – 35

2014-15 MAC West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Toledo – 118 points (18 1st Place)
2. Western Michigan – 94 (1)
3. Eastern Michigan – 68
4. Northern Illinois – 63
5. Central Michigan – 49 (1)
6. Ball State – 28

Tournament Champion: Toledo (15), Akron (1), Bowling Green (1), Central Michigan (1), Ohio (1), Western Michigan (1)

The pre-season first and second teams were also announced.  Richaun Holmes was named first team All-MAC pre-season, which is a nice honor for him.  He's a very good player and I'm looking forward to seeing if the new staff can iron the last couple kinks out of his game.

One other note...there is only one non-senior on the first and second team.  This is a senior-dominated conference.

MAC East Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell, Sr., F, Akron
Richaun Holmes, Sr., F, Bowling Green
Will Regan, Sr., F, Buffalo
Kris Brewer, Kent State, Sr., G, Kent State
Maurice Ndour, Sr., F, Ohio

MAC West Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Chris Fowler, Jr., G, Central Michigan
Karrington Ward, Sr., F, Eastern Michigan
Julius "Juice" Brown, Sr., G, Toledo
Justin Drummond, Sr., G/F, Toledo
David Brown, Grad., G, Western Michigan