Miami Ohio University Athletics
MAC Releases Preseason Men's Basketball Poll
10/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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CLEVELAND ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" The Mid-American Conference announced its 2016-17 preseason men's basketball poll on Friday. The Miami University RedHawks were picked to finish sixth in the East Division after a vote by the league's coaches and members of the media representing all 12 teams.
The defending MAC regular season champion Akron Zips were picked to win the East Division. They received 15 first place votes and 194 total points. Ohio received more first place votes (16), but finished second with 190 points. Defending MAC Tournament Champion Buffalo took the other five first place votes and placed third. Kent State, Bowling Green and Miami rounded out the poll.
Eastern Michigan received 16 first place votes and was the pick to win the MAC West Division. Ball State got 12 first place votes and finished second. Northern Illinois (five first-place votes), Toledo (one first-place vote), Western Michigan and Central Michigan (two first place votes) rounded out the poll. While eight different teams received a vote to win the MAC Tournament, including one that picked Miami, Akron was the pick to win the tournament with 15 total votes.
Miami returns six letterwinners and three starters to join a group of seven talented newcomers. Miami opens the season against Muskingum on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. It will be Heroes and Community Day as the RedHawks honor members of the military and first responders.
Season and individual tickets are now on sale. Adult advanced sale tickets are $15.50 while youth 17 and under advanced sale tickets are $9.50. Adult game day tickets are $20, while youth game day are $15.
2016-17 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Akron (15 first place votes) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 194 points
2. Ohio (16) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 190 points
3. Buffalo (5) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 144 points
4. Kent State ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 116 points
5. Bowling Green ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 63 points
6. Miami ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 49 points
West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Eastern Michigan (16) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 178 points
2. Ball State (12 first place votes) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 158 points
3. NIU (5) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 148 points
4. Toledo (1) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 100 points
5. Western Michigan ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 95 points
6. Central Michigan (2) ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" 77 points
2017 MAC Tournament Predicted Champion: Akron (15), Ohio (11), Eastern Michigan (3), Buffalo (2), NIU (2), Central Michigan (1), Kent State (1), Miami (1).
Preseason All-MAC East Division Team
Isaiah Johnson, Sr., C, Akron
Blake Hamilton, Sr., W, Buffalo
Jimmy Hall, Sr., F, Kent State
Antonio Campbell, Sr., F, Ohio
Jaaron Simmons, Jr., G, Ohio
Preseason All-MAC West Division Team
Franko House, Sr., F, Ball State
James Thompson IV, So., C, Eastern Michigan
Marin Maric, Sr., C, Northern Illinois
Jonathan Williams, Sr., G, Toledo
Thomas Wilder, Jr., G, Western Michigan
