Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament

The Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament is the NCAA Division I postseason single-elimination tournament for the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The winner of the tournament receives the MAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. As of the next MAC tournament in 2021, the top eight teams in conference play will qualify for the tournament.[1] Since 2000, the MAC Tournament has been held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland and is planned to be held there through at least 2030.[2] The finals are broadcast on ESPN2 and the semi and quarterfinals are broadcast on Spectrum Sports and ESPN3.

Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament
Conference basketball championship
SportBasketball
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Number of teams8
FormatSingle-elimination tournament
Current stadiumRocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Current locationCleveland, Ohio
Played1980–present
Last contest2023
Current championKent State Golden Flashes (7th)
Most championshipsBall State Cardinals, Kent State Golden Flashes, Ohio Bobcats (7)
TV partner(s)Spectrum Sports, ESPN2
Official websitegetsomemaction.com – Men's basketball
Sponsors
VisitMyrtleBeach.com (2016–present)
FirstEnergy (2009–2015)
Kraft Foods (2001–2008)
Host stadiums
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (2000–present)
SeaGate Centre (1996–1999)
Savage Arena (1985, 1987–1989, 1995)
Battelle Hall (1993–1994)
Cobo Arena (1990–1992)
Rockford MetroCentre (1984, 1986)
Crisler Arena (1980–1982)
Host locations
Cleveland, Ohio (2000–present)
Toledo, Ohio (1985, 1987–1989, 1995–1999)
Columbus, Ohio (1993–1994)
Detroit, Michigan (1990–1992)
Rockford, Illinois (1984, 1986)
On-campus sites (1983)
Ann Arbor, Michigan (1980–1982)

The tournament was first played in 1980 and expanded to include all conference members in 2000. The tournament continued to involve all conference members (barring postseason bans due to NCAA sanctions) through the 2020 edition, which was canceled in progress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, as part of a broader suite of changes to MAC postseason tournaments triggered by the pandemic, the MAC announced it would reduce its men's and women's basketball tournaments to 8 teams, with all qualifying teams playing in Cleveland. Additionally, the MAC eliminated its basketball divisions and increased its conference schedule from 18 to 20 games. These changes will remain in place through at least the 2023–24 season.[1] Ball State, Kent State, and Ohio have the most tournament championships with seven.

Format

Seeding for the tournament is determined by winning percentage in conference play; during the era of MAC divisional play, divisional alignment did not figure into tournament seeding. The following tiebreakers are used:

1. Between two teams: A. Head-to-head competition; B. Division Record (only used if the two teams in question are tied for the Division lead); C. Winning percentage vs. ranked conference teams (top to bottom, regardless of division, vs. common opponents regardless of the number of times played); D. Coin flip

2. For multiple (3 or more) team ties: A. Total won-lost record/winning percentage of games played among the tied teams; B. Two (2)-team tie-breaker procedure goes into effect

Historical formats

From 2016 through the abbreviated 2020 edition, all 12 conference members participated in the tournament. The top four seeds received byes into the quarterfinals; seeds 5-12 played first-round games at the campus of the higher seed. Winners of the first-round games advanced to face the top four seeds in the quarterfinal round in Cleveland.

From 2012 through 2015, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds received byes straight to the semifinals, with the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds beginning tournament play in the quarterfinals. Teams seeded 5–12 played an additional two rounds. First round games were played at the home sites of the higher seeds, with the remaining rounds being contested at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, then known as Quicken Loans Arena.[3] Under this format, a team seeded fifth or lower had to win four games in six days, while playing five games in eight days, to win the conference tournament. The division winners were guaranteed to receive a seed not lower than four.[4]

From 2002 through 2011, the format for the conference tournament was similar to the 2016 through 2020 format. Each conference member received a berth in the tournament, with the top four seeds receiving byes into the quarterfinals. Unlike the current format, division winners were guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed. First round games for seeds 5–12 were played at the home sites of the higher seeds, with the remaining rounds being contested at Quicken Loans Arena.

From 1980 through 1988, seven teams qualified for the three-round tournament. The No. 1 seed received a bye into the semifinals. In 1989, an eighth team was added and each of the teams participated in all three rounds. The tournament was expanded in 2000 to four rounds and included all 13 conference teams. The top three teams received byes into the quarterfinals.[5]

Tournament champions
YearChampionScoreRunner-upTournament MVPVenueCity
1980Toledo85–70Bowling GreenJim Swaney, ToledoCrisler Arena (first round on-campus)Ann Arbor, Michigan
1981Ball State79–66Northern IllinoisRay McCallum, Ball State
1982Northern Illinois79–75 (OT)Ball StateAllen Rayhorn, Northern Illinois
1983Ohio59–56Bowling GreenJohn Devereaux, OhioOn-campus (championship at Anderson Arena)Bowling Green, Ohio
1984Miami42–40Kent StateChuck Stahl, MiamiMetroCentreRockford, Illinois
1985Ohio74–64MiamiRon Harper, MiamiCentennial HallToledo, Ohio
1986Ball State87–79MiamiDan Palombizio, Ball StateMetroCentreRockford, Illinois
1987Central Michigan64–63Kent StateDan Majerle, Central MichiganCentennial HallToledo, Ohio
1988Eastern Michigan94–80OhioGrant Long, Eastern Michigan
1989Ball State67–65Kent StateBilly Butts, Ball State
1990Ball State78–56Central MichiganCobo ArenaDetroit, Michigan
1991Eastern Michigan67–66ToledoMarcus Kennedy, Eastern Michigan
1992Miami58–57Ball StateBill Gillis, Ball State
1993Ball State79–64Western MichiganSteve Payne, Ball StateBattelle HallColumbus, Ohio
1994Ohio89–66MiamiGary Trent, OhioBattelle Hall (first round on-campus)
1995Ball State77–70Eastern MichiganSteve Payne, Ball StateSavage Hall (first round on-campus)Toledo, Ohio
1996Eastern Michigan77–63ToledoBrian Tolbert, Eastern MichiganSeaGate Convention Centre (first round on-campus)
1997Miami96–76Eastern MichiganDevin Davis, Miami
1998Eastern Michigan92–77MiamiEarl Boykins, Eastern Michigan
1999Kent State49–43MiamiJohn Whorton, Kent State
2000Ball State61–58MiamiDuane Clemens, Ball StateGund Arena (first round on-campus)Cleveland, Ohio
2001Kent State67–61MiamiTrevor Huffman, Kent State
2002Kent State70–59Bowling Green
2003Central Michigan77–72Kent StateChris Kaman, Central Michigan
2004Western Michigan77–66Kent StateMike Williams, Western Michigan
2005Ohio80–79 (OT)BuffaloLeon Williams, Ohio
2006Kent State71–66ToledoKevin Warzynski, Kent StateQuicken Loans Arena (first round on-campus)
2007Miami53–52AkronTim Pollitz, MiamiQuicken Loans Arena
2008Kent State74–55AkronHaminn Quaintance, Kent State
2009Akron65–53BuffaloNate Linhart, Akron
2010Ohio81–75 (OT)AkronArmon Bassett, OhioQuicken Loans Arena (first round on-campus)
2011Akron66–65 (OT)Kent StateZeke Marshall, Akron
2012Ohio64–63AkronD. J. Cooper, Ohio
2013Akron65–46OhioDemetrius Treadwell, Akron
2014Western Michigan98–77ToledoDavid Brown, Western Michigan
2015Buffalo89–84Central MichiganXavier Ford, Buffalo
2016Buffalo64–61AkronWillie Conner, Buffalo
2017Kent State70–65AkronJaylin Walker, Kent State
2018Buffalo76–66ToledoWes Clark, Buffalo
2019Buffalo87–73Bowling GreenJeremy Harris, Buffalo[6]
2020Cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic[7]Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
2021Ohio84–69BuffaloJason Preston, Ohio[8]
2022Akron75–55Kent StateEnrique Freeman, Akron[9]
2023Kent State93–78ToledoSincere Carry, Kent State
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030

Performance by school
SchoolChampionshipsWinning yearsAppearancesWLPct
Ball State 7 1981, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 2000 333727.578
Ohio 7 1983, 1985, 1994, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2021 333826.594
Kent State 7 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2023 323427.557
Miami 4 1984, 1992, 1997, 2007 333828.576
Eastern Michigan 4 1988, 1991, 1996, 1998 332528.472
Buffalo 4 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 151114.440
Akron 4 2009, 2011, 2013, 2022 172013.606
Central Michigan 2 1987, 2003 221420.412
Western Michigan 2 2004, 2014 292029.408
Toledo 1 1980 302628.481
Northern Illinois 1 1982 211118.379
Bowling Green0–321931.380
Marshall *0–858.385

* No longer member of MAC

Broadcasters
Year Network Play-by-play Analyst
2022 ESPN2 Robert Lee Mark Wise
2021 Jason Benetti Jon Crispin
2020 Roy Philpott David Padgett
2019 Robert Lee Julianne Viani
2018 Clay Matvick Rob Kennedy
2017 Mike Morgan Chris Spatola
2016
2015 Bob Wischusen LaPhonso Ellis
2014
2013 Stephen Bardo
2012[10]
2011[11]
2010[12] Ron Franklin Mark Adams
2009[13] Bob Wischusen
2008[14] Jon Sciambi
2007[15] Michael Reghi

See also

References
  1. Strack, Jordan (May 12, 2020). "Major changes coming to Mid-American Conference". Toledo, OH: WTOL. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  2. "MAC Tournament staying in downtown Cleveland through 2030". Cleveland 19 News. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  3. "MAC Announces New Basketball Tournament Format". Mid-American Conference. August 18, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
  4. Graham, Couch (August 18, 2011). "MAC changes its basketball tournament format, adds emphasis to regular season and protects teams with NCAA tournament at-large chances". Kalamazoo Gazette. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  5. "Mid-American Conference Record Book" (PDF). Mid American Conference. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  6. "Late Run Sends Top-Seeded Buffalo Past BGSU in Championship Game". BGSU Athletics. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  7. Wright, Branson (March 12, 2020). "Mid-American Conference cancels basketball tournament in Cleveland because of coronavirus concerns". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  8. "Bobcats Win First MAC Championship Since 2012". Mid-American Conference. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  9. "Akron Takes Home MAC Tournament Title". Mid-American Conference. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  10. Humes, Michael (2012-02-27). "Championship Week: Coverage of a Record 137 Men's Games Begins March 1". ESPN MediaZone. Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  11. Humes, Michael (2011-02-28). "Championship Week Presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods Schedule". ESPN MediaZone. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  12. "Championship Week Begins Thursday, March 4". ESPN MediaZone. 2010-03-02. Archived from the original on 2010-04-12. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
  13. "Championship Week Begins Thursday, March 5". ESPN MediaZone. 2009-02-26. Archived from the original on 2009-03-07. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  14. http://www.espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2008_03_mar/20080303_ChampionshipWeek.htm%5B%5D
  15. "What to Watch: College Basketball Lovers Rejoice". MySanAntonio. 2007-03-02. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
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