MAC MBB Non-Conference Season Review

So for Men's Basketball, the MAC non-conference season is over.  Let's check out who made the most progress and who had the best November and December.

So below is what we have.  As you may know, the NCAA has altered how they rank wins for NCAA selection.  They have always gone into four categories, but before they were simply based on the opponent's ranking.  Now, as you can see, it matters whether you play the team home or away.  The system essentially rewards road wins, as it should. 

All the ratings here are kenpom.  The NCAA uses a blended rating.  Also, these ratings are based on late this week.  They change all the time.  For example, an opponent can make a run and move from a category 4 opponent to a category 3.

So, the only team with a win in either of the first two categories is Ball State.  That's their win over Notre Dame, clearly the only true upset pulled by a MAC team this year.  As you can see, no one else was able to pick one up.

Ball State and Buffalo were also the only teams to be undefeated against the teams in category 3-4.  They are also the highest ranked in the conference, which is no surprise since that's the kind of thing the ratings measures.  Even at that, no MAC team is in danger of getting an at-large bid right now.

A few notes:

• BGSU is one of four teams to have 2 losses in category 2.  BG is also one of two teams to have only played one team in the first two categories.
• The other is CMU.  Speaking of CMU, they had an exceptionally easy schedule.  They lead the MAC with 8 Category 4 games, winning 7.
• BG has 3 Category 3 wins, which is tied for 2nd in the MAC.

The ultimate point of this, to me, is that this is going to be a topsy-turvy year in the MAC.  Ball State and Buffalo appear to be the best, but the next 5 are very close.  Traditional powers like Akron and Kent are having a difficult start to the year.  Even OU has bigger obstacles than expected.

It is always interesting.  And it all gets started in a couple days.