Mid-American Conference schools turn the page Tuesday as teams embark on their MAC schedules. All six Tuesday games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET.
Here’s a brief look at, and update on, MAC West teams to date.
(CLICK READ MORE TO CONTINUE . . . )
Here’s a brief look at, and update on, MAC West teams to date.
(CLICK READ MORE TO CONTINUE . . . )
BALL STATE CARDINALS
Head Coach: James Whitford
2015-16 Overall Record: 21-14
2015-16 MAC Record: 10-8 (T-1st MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 2nd MAC West
After several years of serious struggles, Ball State produced a solid season with 21 wins last year. After an upset loss to Miami in the opening round of MAC tournament play, the Cardinals reached the quarterfinals of the CIT.
BSU was in a position to win the MAC West outright late in the year, but it lost three of its last four regular season games, falling into a first place tie with Central Michigan, and then dropped the MAC opener to Miami.
THIS SEASON:
Six of the top eight scorers return, led by preseason All-MAC pick Franko House. Ball State brings a 9-4 record to MAC play and is riding a five-game winning streak.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 76.6 (6th)
► Scoring defense: 68.8 (5th)
► Field goal percentage: 46.2% (4th); 3-point percentage 38.6% (3rd)
► Rebounding margin: +5.7 (tie, 2nd)
► Turnover margin: -1.15 (10th)
► Free throw percentage: 67.2%
► Sophomore guard Tayler Persons leads BSU scoring with a 14.9 ppg average. Also producing in double figures are House (11.5 ppg) and Sean Sellers (10.6 ppg). Sophomore center Trey Moses contributes 9.5 ppg and a team-high 8.8 rebounds.
► Sellers tops the Cardinals in made 3-point goals (33). Persons leads the team in made free throws (40).
Head Coach: James Whitford
2015-16 Overall Record: 21-14
2015-16 MAC Record: 10-8 (T-1st MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 2nd MAC West
After several years of serious struggles, Ball State produced a solid season with 21 wins last year. After an upset loss to Miami in the opening round of MAC tournament play, the Cardinals reached the quarterfinals of the CIT.
BSU was in a position to win the MAC West outright late in the year, but it lost three of its last four regular season games, falling into a first place tie with Central Michigan, and then dropped the MAC opener to Miami.
THIS SEASON:
Six of the top eight scorers return, led by preseason All-MAC pick Franko House. Ball State brings a 9-4 record to MAC play and is riding a five-game winning streak.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 76.6 (6th)
► Scoring defense: 68.8 (5th)
► Field goal percentage: 46.2% (4th); 3-point percentage 38.6% (3rd)
► Rebounding margin: +5.7 (tie, 2nd)
► Turnover margin: -1.15 (10th)
► Free throw percentage: 67.2%
► Sophomore guard Tayler Persons leads BSU scoring with a 14.9 ppg average. Also producing in double figures are House (11.5 ppg) and Sean Sellers (10.6 ppg). Sophomore center Trey Moses contributes 9.5 ppg and a team-high 8.8 rebounds.
► Sellers tops the Cardinals in made 3-point goals (33). Persons leads the team in made free throws (40).
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS
Head Coach: Keno Davis
2015-16 Overall Record: 17-16
2015-16 MAC Record: 10-8 (T-1st MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 6th MAC West
The Chippewas put together one four-game streak and one three-game streak during regular season MAC play, but an overtime loss at home to Western Michigan cost CMU the outright West Division title. They ended up sharing that with Ball State, and like the Cardinals, fell in an upset as Bowling Green knocked off Central Michigan in its first MAC tourney outing. The Chippewas were also handed a defeat in their first CIT action as UT Martin took a 76-73 decision.
THIS SEASON
Graduation losses included a couple of outstanding talents – Chris Fowler and sharpshooting forward John Simmons. Among the familiar returning faces are guard Braylon Rayson, forward Luke Meyer and guard Josh Kozinski. But the word has already spread around the MAC concerning at least one new talent inn the Chippewas lineup. Junior Marcus Keene, a 5-9 transfer from Youngstown State who sat out last year, is currently leading the natonal with a 30.7 ppg average.
Central Michigan brings a 10-3 record into the new year, with the losses coming to St. Bonaventure (102-71), Little Rocket (91-79) and Illinois (92-73).
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 91.2 ppg (1st). The Chippewas have reached at least 100 points four times.
► Scoring defense: 80.5 ppg (12th)
► Field goal percentage: 43.0% (9th)
► 3-point goal percentage: 35.1% (5th)
► Rebounding margin: -1.5 (11th, tie)
► Turnover margin: +5.31 (2nd)
► Joining Kenne (30.7) in double figures is Braylon Rayson (17.5 ppg), with Cecil Williams (9.8 ppg), David Dileo (9.3) and Josh Kozinski (9.2) contributing to a potent offense. Keene leads in 3-point goals with 49.
► Williams leads CMU rebounding with a 5.9 rpg average.
Head Coach: Keno Davis
2015-16 Overall Record: 17-16
2015-16 MAC Record: 10-8 (T-1st MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 6th MAC West
The Chippewas put together one four-game streak and one three-game streak during regular season MAC play, but an overtime loss at home to Western Michigan cost CMU the outright West Division title. They ended up sharing that with Ball State, and like the Cardinals, fell in an upset as Bowling Green knocked off Central Michigan in its first MAC tourney outing. The Chippewas were also handed a defeat in their first CIT action as UT Martin took a 76-73 decision.
THIS SEASON
Graduation losses included a couple of outstanding talents – Chris Fowler and sharpshooting forward John Simmons. Among the familiar returning faces are guard Braylon Rayson, forward Luke Meyer and guard Josh Kozinski. But the word has already spread around the MAC concerning at least one new talent inn the Chippewas lineup. Junior Marcus Keene, a 5-9 transfer from Youngstown State who sat out last year, is currently leading the natonal with a 30.7 ppg average.
Central Michigan brings a 10-3 record into the new year, with the losses coming to St. Bonaventure (102-71), Little Rocket (91-79) and Illinois (92-73).
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 91.2 ppg (1st). The Chippewas have reached at least 100 points four times.
► Scoring defense: 80.5 ppg (12th)
► Field goal percentage: 43.0% (9th)
► 3-point goal percentage: 35.1% (5th)
► Rebounding margin: -1.5 (11th, tie)
► Turnover margin: +5.31 (2nd)
► Joining Kenne (30.7) in double figures is Braylon Rayson (17.5 ppg), with Cecil Williams (9.8 ppg), David Dileo (9.3) and Josh Kozinski (9.2) contributing to a potent offense. Keene leads in 3-point goals with 49.
► Williams leads CMU rebounding with a 5.9 rpg average.
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES
Head Coach: Rob Murphy
2015-16 Overall Record: 18-15
2015-16 MAC Record: 9-9 (T-3rd MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 1st MAC West
Eastern Michigan had a balanced ledger for MAC play last year, posting a 9-9 conference mark on the way to an 18-15 overall record. Top-seeded Akron came from behind to nip Eastern Michigan, 65-63, to knock EMU out of the MAC tourney.
THIS SEASON:
Eastern Michigan, which got the preseason nod to capture the MAC West, eclipsed 100 points twice on the way to an 8-5 non-conference record. A wealth of talent returns from last year’s squad. James Thompson earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors and is the reigning rebound champion. Redshirt senior Ray lee is back for his final season and started the campaign with 1,418 points, making him the active leading scorer in the Mid-American Conference.
Overall, EMU returns its top-four scorers, good for 78.4 percent of last season’s output.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 84.9 ppg (2nd)
► Scoring defense: 73.7 ppg (9th)
► Field goal percentage: 46.4% (3rd)
► 3-point percentage: 33.6% (9th)
► Rebounding margin: +1.9 (8th)
► Turnover margin: +6.31 (1st)
► Three Eagles are scoring in double figures: Willie Mangum IV (17.2 ppg), Ray Lee (17.0 ppg), and James Thompson IV (14.3 ppg). Just off double figures are Tim Bond (9.9 ppg) and Ty Toney (9.8 ppg).
► Thompson IV’s 11.0 rebounds per game give him a double-double average. Mangum IV leads the team with 40 made 3-point goals.
Head Coach: Rob Murphy
2015-16 Overall Record: 18-15
2015-16 MAC Record: 9-9 (T-3rd MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 1st MAC West
Eastern Michigan had a balanced ledger for MAC play last year, posting a 9-9 conference mark on the way to an 18-15 overall record. Top-seeded Akron came from behind to nip Eastern Michigan, 65-63, to knock EMU out of the MAC tourney.
THIS SEASON:
Eastern Michigan, which got the preseason nod to capture the MAC West, eclipsed 100 points twice on the way to an 8-5 non-conference record. A wealth of talent returns from last year’s squad. James Thompson earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors and is the reigning rebound champion. Redshirt senior Ray lee is back for his final season and started the campaign with 1,418 points, making him the active leading scorer in the Mid-American Conference.
Overall, EMU returns its top-four scorers, good for 78.4 percent of last season’s output.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 84.9 ppg (2nd)
► Scoring defense: 73.7 ppg (9th)
► Field goal percentage: 46.4% (3rd)
► 3-point percentage: 33.6% (9th)
► Rebounding margin: +1.9 (8th)
► Turnover margin: +6.31 (1st)
► Three Eagles are scoring in double figures: Willie Mangum IV (17.2 ppg), Ray Lee (17.0 ppg), and James Thompson IV (14.3 ppg). Just off double figures are Tim Bond (9.9 ppg) and Ty Toney (9.8 ppg).
► Thompson IV’s 11.0 rebounds per game give him a double-double average. Mangum IV leads the team with 40 made 3-point goals.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES
Head Coach: Mark Montgomery
2015-16 Overall Record: 21-13
2015-16 MAC Record: 9-9 (T-3rd MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 3rd MAC West
The Huskies are coming off a 21-13 campaign in which they broke even in MAC play (9-9). Their post-season appearance (Vegas 16) was just the fourth in program history.
NIU was 16-3 after a victory over Toledo on Jan. 22, but the Huskies lost five straight – all against MAC East foes and went 5-5 after that stretch.
THIS SEASON
Northern Illinois returns 72 percent of its scoring and 81 percent of its rebounding. Among the returneses are Third Team All-MAC honoree Marin Maric, MAC All-Defensive Team honoree aaric Armstead and MAC All-Freshman Team selection Marshawn Wilson.
NIU started the current campaign with three straight wins and finished with non-conference play with four consecutive victories. The Huskies lost five of six in the middle stretch.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 73.8 ppg (11th)
► Scoring defense: 67.1 ppg (2nd)
► Field goal percentage: 44.2% (6th)
► 3-point percentage: 30.7% (12th)
► Rebounding margin: +2.2 (7th)
► Turnover margin: +3.38 (3)
► Two players average double figure scoring: Marin Maric (13.5 ppg) and Aaric Armstead (10.7 ppg). Three other plays average just over eight points per game. Maric (6.2 rpg) and Armstead (6.0 rpg) top the Huskies rebounding efforts.
► Armstead and Laytwan Porter have 16 3-point goals each to lead NIU from beyond the arc.
► Maric and Armstead have combined for 24 blocks so far.
Head Coach: Mark Montgomery
2015-16 Overall Record: 21-13
2015-16 MAC Record: 9-9 (T-3rd MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 3rd MAC West
The Huskies are coming off a 21-13 campaign in which they broke even in MAC play (9-9). Their post-season appearance (Vegas 16) was just the fourth in program history.
NIU was 16-3 after a victory over Toledo on Jan. 22, but the Huskies lost five straight – all against MAC East foes and went 5-5 after that stretch.
THIS SEASON
Northern Illinois returns 72 percent of its scoring and 81 percent of its rebounding. Among the returneses are Third Team All-MAC honoree Marin Maric, MAC All-Defensive Team honoree aaric Armstead and MAC All-Freshman Team selection Marshawn Wilson.
NIU started the current campaign with three straight wins and finished with non-conference play with four consecutive victories. The Huskies lost five of six in the middle stretch.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 73.8 ppg (11th)
► Scoring defense: 67.1 ppg (2nd)
► Field goal percentage: 44.2% (6th)
► 3-point percentage: 30.7% (12th)
► Rebounding margin: +2.2 (7th)
► Turnover margin: +3.38 (3)
► Two players average double figure scoring: Marin Maric (13.5 ppg) and Aaric Armstead (10.7 ppg). Three other plays average just over eight points per game. Maric (6.2 rpg) and Armstead (6.0 rpg) top the Huskies rebounding efforts.
► Armstead and Laytwan Porter have 16 3-point goals each to lead NIU from beyond the arc.
► Maric and Armstead have combined for 24 blocks so far.
TOLEDO ROCKETS
Head Coach: Tod Kowalczyk
2015-16 Overall Record: 17-15
2015-16 MAC Record: 8-10 (5th MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/3
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 4th MAC West
Although Toledo posted its fifth straight winning season last year, the Rockets fizzled down the stretch. UT lost six of its last seven games, including back-to-back losses to Eastern Michigan over a three-day period to close things out.
THIS SEASON:
UT returns three starters, led by senior guard Jonathan Williams. His 17.6 ppg average was third among MAC scorers last year. Among the newcomers is Steve Taylor Jr., who sat out last season after transferring in from Marquette.
Toledo enters MAC play on a three-game win streak. That raised the Rockets record to 7-6. One might say, however, they got the experience of nearly 14 games since UT has already been involved in five overtimes – one of them double OT.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 82.0 ppg (3rd)
► Scoring defense: 78.8 ppg (11th)
► Field goal percentage: 47.6 (2nd)
► 3-point goal percentage: 34.8% (6th)
► Rebounding margin: +5.1 (5th)
► Turnover margin: -3.69 (11th)
► Three Rockets are averaging double figure scoring: Sr. guard Jonathan Williams (19.8 ppg), senior forward Steve Taylor (15.9 ppg and 11.5 rpg), and sophomore guard Jaelan Sanford.
► 3-point goal leaders are Williams (50) and Sanford (42).
Head Coach: Tod Kowalczyk
2015-16 Overall Record: 17-15
2015-16 MAC Record: 8-10 (5th MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/3
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 4th MAC West
Although Toledo posted its fifth straight winning season last year, the Rockets fizzled down the stretch. UT lost six of its last seven games, including back-to-back losses to Eastern Michigan over a three-day period to close things out.
THIS SEASON:
UT returns three starters, led by senior guard Jonathan Williams. His 17.6 ppg average was third among MAC scorers last year. Among the newcomers is Steve Taylor Jr., who sat out last season after transferring in from Marquette.
Toledo enters MAC play on a three-game win streak. That raised the Rockets record to 7-6. One might say, however, they got the experience of nearly 14 games since UT has already been involved in five overtimes – one of them double OT.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 82.0 ppg (3rd)
► Scoring defense: 78.8 ppg (11th)
► Field goal percentage: 47.6 (2nd)
► 3-point goal percentage: 34.8% (6th)
► Rebounding margin: +5.1 (5th)
► Turnover margin: -3.69 (11th)
► Three Rockets are averaging double figure scoring: Sr. guard Jonathan Williams (19.8 ppg), senior forward Steve Taylor (15.9 ppg and 11.5 rpg), and sophomore guard Jaelan Sanford.
► 3-point goal leaders are Williams (50) and Sanford (42).
WESTERN MICHIGAN
Head Coach: Steve Hawkins
2015-16 Overall Record: 13-19
2015-16 MAC Record: 7-11 (6th MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 5th MAC West
The Broncos couldn’t quite get over the hump early last season, getting up to .500 on several occasions before losing five of six games. They were unable to reach .500 the rest of the way. The end camem with a 56-50 loss to Northern Illinois in the first round of MAC tournament play.
THIS SEASON
Junior point guard Thomas Wilder is back to lead a squad that was hit hard by graduation. Wilder averaged 20.5 ppg in conference play, best in the loop. He scored in double digits in 28 of 32 games overall, reaching 20 or more points 14 times.
The Broncos are off to a rough start his time around, losing four straight at one point and failing to post back-to-back wins while finishing the non-conference slate at 4-8.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 75.2 ppg (9th)
► Scoring defense: 78.1 ppg (10th)
► Field goal percentage: 43.8% (7th)
► 3-point goal percentage: 33.8% (7th)
► Rebounding margin: +2.4 (6th)
► Turnover margin +1.25 (7th)
► Thomas Wilder (16.8 ppg) and Tucker Haymond (13.2 ppg) are the only Broncos averaging double figures.
► Brandon Johnson, a 6-8 freshman forward, leads WMU rebounding (6.3 rpg).
► Wilder is the top 3-point scorer with 23 treys. He also leads the team with 17 steals.
Head Coach: Steve Hawkins
2015-16 Overall Record: 13-19
2015-16 MAC Record: 7-11 (6th MAC West)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
2016-17 MAC Preseason Prediction: 5th MAC West
The Broncos couldn’t quite get over the hump early last season, getting up to .500 on several occasions before losing five of six games. They were unable to reach .500 the rest of the way. The end camem with a 56-50 loss to Northern Illinois in the first round of MAC tournament play.
THIS SEASON
Junior point guard Thomas Wilder is back to lead a squad that was hit hard by graduation. Wilder averaged 20.5 ppg in conference play, best in the loop. He scored in double digits in 28 of 32 games overall, reaching 20 or more points 14 times.
The Broncos are off to a rough start his time around, losing four straight at one point and failing to post back-to-back wins while finishing the non-conference slate at 4-8.
STATS (All rankings are MAC)
► Scoring offense: 75.2 ppg (9th)
► Scoring defense: 78.1 ppg (10th)
► Field goal percentage: 43.8% (7th)
► 3-point goal percentage: 33.8% (7th)
► Rebounding margin: +2.4 (6th)
► Turnover margin +1.25 (7th)
► Thomas Wilder (16.8 ppg) and Tucker Haymond (13.2 ppg) are the only Broncos averaging double figures.
► Brandon Johnson, a 6-8 freshman forward, leads WMU rebounding (6.3 rpg).
► Wilder is the top 3-point scorer with 23 treys. He also leads the team with 17 steals.
RSS Feed