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It fees like every week there is one team coming up out of nowhere and another team falling off the face of the Earth. This league has been so unpredictable this year that it really hasn't been out of the question for a team to win three or four straight and then go on a two or three-game losing streak. Such is life in the MAC.
With just a week left we will get an idea of tournament seeding (in a year which seeding will be vital) after tomorrows' games. Akron can clinch a 1-seed with a win over Ohio, but that is obviously not anywhere close to a given. The Zips have the hardest remaining games left, including Friday's home contest against Kent State, but they are at least in the comfort of the JAR. Ohio can make things interesting with a win over Akron tomorrow, but face a now tough test at Millett Hall on Friday. Here are the current seeds and the games left to play:
This next week is going to be fun. Buckle Up. #RoadToCLE #MACtion pic.twitter.com/EMn0XuG7l5
— #MACtion (@MACSports) February 28, 2016
| Rank | Team (1st Place Votes) | Points | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akron (5) | 13 | 1 |
| 2 | Ohio (1) | 17 | 3 |
| 3 | Ball State (2) | 18 | 2 |
| 4 | Buffalo | 36 | 5 |
| 5 | Central Michigan | 39 | 9 |
| 6 | Kent State | 50 | 4 |
| 7 | Toledo | 56 | 7 |
| 8 | Northern Illinois | 61 | 6 |
| 9 | Eastern Michigan | 71 | 8 |
| 10 | Miami | 84 | 12 |
| 11 | Bowling Green | 88 | 11 |
| 12 | Western Michigan | 91 | 10 |
Central Michigan is your team of the week, as the Chippewas did well in knocking off both Northern Illinois at home and Toledo on the road. They have been laying in the weeds all season and are getting hot at the right moment, which is probably what Keno Davis wants to see. This is a veteran team that knows how to win in Cleveland, and should be on a lot of peoples' minds as a favorite to win the tournament.
Kent State had a really bad week, getting smashed at Buffalo before inexplicably losing at Miami. The Flashes are one of those teams that has been so streaky this year it's hard to point out exactly what type of team they are. They' have the potential to be dangerous in Cleveland, but they also could go out in the first round.
Let's give a quick shoutout to the Miami RedHawks, who are not in last anymore! It's not often you see a team beat Akron and Kent State back-to-back, but that's what John Cooper's squad did last week. After losing by nearly 50 to Toledo, the RedHawks have bounced back nicely and seem to be relishing their role as spoilers over the last few games. Buffalo and Ohio are vying for MAC Tournament byes, but the RedHawks would love to end that hope. They don't have a shot to host a first-round game, but Miami isn't a team to take lightly anymore.