
That, of course, might be a little subjective as the scientific way of handling it would require that “hottest” be defined.
If we used current winning streaks as the definition, the answer would be Ohio University in the MAC East and Toledo in the MAC West. The latter has reeled off four straight, including an epic drubbing of Miami Saturday in Toledo. The Rockets were up by 56 points in the second half and finished with a 45-point advantage.
The Rockets might hope they didn’t take all the starch out of MU, because MAC West co-leader Ball State visits the RedHawks as part of Tuesday’s slate. Miami owned a big lead over BSU in Muncie, but eventually fell, 48-46, on a Cardinal basket in the final seconds.
Toledo, meanwhile, hopes to continue its recent momentum at Mt. Pleasant, where the hot Rockets will visit a cold Central Michigan team. The Chippewas had grabbed a share of first, but they are currently on a three-game skid. Two of those were on the road, but CMU most recently lost to Ball State, 75-63. This will be the first of two meetings between UT and Central Michigan, who face each other again Feb. 27 in Toledo.
Over in the East, Ohio has won three straight and five of the last six. The only loss was at home to MAC leader Akron Feb. 2. The Bobcats were particularly impressive in their most recently outing, pasting a 94-75 setback on the Bulls in Buffalo.
With Akron still two up in the East, it won’t be easy to catch the Zips. But every game could now be crucial for MAC tourney seeding. Ohio, Kent State and Buffalo all own 7-5 MAC records.
Ohio is home at the Convo Tuesday, hosting an Eastern Michigan team that has won its last two outings – back-to-back wins over Central Michigan and Kent State. Both were at home, however, and the road has been much more problematic for EMU.
In other Tuesday night action . . .
Both teams will be trying to shake off a stinging defeat. The Bulls are 4-7 on the road. Akron is 11-0 at home.
Western Michigan at Kent State
The Broncos seemed to be faltering, but they rallied for a 74-68 victory at Bowling Green Saturday. Of course, the Falcons are really struggling themselves. They are on an active five-game losing streak and have lost seven-of-eight. The lone win was at Western Michigan, 79-78, so those two teams have split their season series already.
Kent State dropped a 75-70 decision at Eastern Michigan Saturday. That was the fourth loss in five games for the Flashes, who edged Northern Illinois, 75-75 at home Feb. 9 for their only win during this shaky stretch. With the loss to EMU, Kent State and the Eagles split their season series.
Bowling Green at Northern Ilinois.
As mentioned, the Falcons are struggling mightily. The same might be said of Northern Illinois. The Huskies were on a trail of five straight losses before pulling off an 80-79 upset of Akron Saturday in DeKalb.
In other games Tuesday,