The usual suspects are back atop the MAC, and an impact transfer may push Ohio over the hump.
It’s always a dogfight at the top of the MAC, especially when the big hitters are loaded. That’s the case this season, as Ohio, Akron, Kent State and Toledo all possess the goods to win the league.
The Bobcats get the nod for best team, thanks to their returning veterans, high-upside freshman and one of the best transfers in the conference, Jackson Paveletzke (Iowa State). Speaking of transfers, Akron landed high-major newcomers in bunches, springboarding them into the list of contenders. Kent State and Toledo both employ coaches who have succeeded in the league, and their rosters contain a strong balance of guards and bigs.
Outside of the top tier, Bowling Green and Ball State could make noise on the back of high-octane offenses. Conversely, Tony Barbee and Central Michigan should take another step forward after leading the MAC in defensive efficiency a season ago. Even at the bottom of the league, Northern Illinois has enough talent to pick off most of its competitors. The league’s top-to-bottom strength should again be on full display.
More from Heat Check CBB
- Heat Check CBB ’24-25 season preview coverage
- Subscribe to HC+ today for exclusive content
- Follow @HeatCheckCBB on X
Projected Order of Finish
1. Ohio Bobcats
Jeff Boals’ best teams have hung their hat on guard play, and the head coach may have the best backcourt in the league this season. After a brief stint in a power conference, Jackson Paveletzke (3.4 ppg at Iowa State) returns to the mid-major ranks, where he’ll engineer the Bobcats’ attack. As a freshman at Wofford in ‘22-‘23, Paveletzke displayed rare shot-making combined with high-level passing.
Shereef Mitchell (13.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.4 apg) returns beside him following a breakout campaign in 2024. He’ll ensure Boals has another creator who can run the offense when Paveletzke sits. The frontcourt is also projected to be a strength. AJ Clayton (12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Aidan Hadaway (8.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg) give Ohio two big bodies who can knock down shots from the perimeter. Clayton was especially lethal last season, canning 73 triples on 40.1 percent shooting.
Lastly, keep an eye out for freshman Kiir Kuany as well. The 6-9 forward comes to Athens with pedigree after shining for the NBA Global Academy and Hunting Prep. He’s spring-loaded with perimeter skills.
Log in to your HC+ account or sign up now to view this content.
You must be logged in to post a comment.