Feb. 15, 2012

Kent State is Pick to Click in MAC

Kent State has been picked to not only win the East Division, but the tournament championship in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s coaches and released by the conference office.

The Golden Flashes garnered 59 points to take the top spot in the East. Miami was second with 48 points, followed by Bowling Green, Ohio, Akron and Buffalo. Kent State received seven votes to win the MAC Tournament, with no other school earning more than one vote.

Central Michigan took top honors in the West Division with 54 points. Toledo was second with 45 points, followed by Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Ball State.

The season begins on Friday, Feb. 17, with conference action starting on March 23. The MAC Tournament will be May 23-26 at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon, Ohio.

 
2012 MAC Preseason Coaches Poll

MAC East Division
Team, Points (2011 MAC, Overall Records)

1. Kent State, 59 (21-5, 45-17)
2. Miami, 48 (18-9, 35-25)
3. Bowling Green, 36 (11-14, 20-31)
4. Ohio, 34 (11-16, 27-27)
5. Akron, 17 (7-20, 16-37)
6. Buffalo, 16 (3-21, 14-37)

MAC West Division
Team, Points (2011 MAC, Overall Records)

1. Central Michigan, 54 (17-9, 31-27)
2. Toledo, 45 (15-12, 26-29)
3. Eastern Michigan, 43 (16-11, 37-22)
4. Northern Illinois, 36 (16-11, 30-27)
5. Western Michigan, 21 (12-14, 26-31)
6. Ball State, 11 (11-15, 15-35)

MAC Tournament Champion
Kent State (7), Central Michigan (1), Toledo (1), Eastern Michigan (1), Miami (1)

*Akron coaching staff chose not to vote in the preseason poll due to being new to the league this season