2022–23 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season
Sports season
The 2022–23 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season is the season for Mid-American Conference men's basketball teams. It began with practices in October 2022, followed by the start of the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2023 and concluded in March 2023. The 2023 MAC tournament was held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio for the 24th consecutive season.[ 1]
Toledo won their third straight regular season championship with a 16-2 record in MAC Play.[ 2] RayJ Dennis was named player of the year.[ 3] Second seed Kent State defeated Northern Illinois , Akron , and top seeded Toledo to win the MAC tournament .[ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
Head coaches
Coaching changes
Ball State
On March 14, 2022, Ball State fired James Whitford after nine seasons with a 131–148 record at the school.[ 7] Ball State hired UCLA assistant coach Michael Lewis on March 25, 2022.[ 8]
Miami
After the season Miami fired head coach Jack Owens after five years and a 70–83 record.[ 9] On April 1, 2022, Miami hired Travis Steele , who had been let go by Xavier at the end of the 2022 season .[ 10]
Western Michigan
Clayton Bates resigned on On March 7, 2022 as the head coach of Western Michigan after posting a two-year record of 13–39.[ 11] On April 5, Michigan State associate head coach Dwayne Stephens was named the new head coach.[ 12]
Coaches
Notes:
Appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only.
Years at school includes 2022–23 season.
MAC records are from time at current school only.
All records are through the beginning of the season.
Preseason
The preseason coaches' poll and league awards were announced by the league office on October 26, 2022.[ 13] Kent State was named as a slight MAC favorite over 2021–22 regular season champion Toledo and 2022 MAC tournament champion Akron.
Preseason men's basketball coaches poll
MAC Preseason All-Conference
Honor
Recipient
Preseason All-MAC First Team
Enrique Freeman , F, Akron, Jr.
Payton Sparks, C, Ball State, So.
Sincere Carry , G, Kent State, R-Sr.
JT Shumate, F, Toledo, Sr.
Lamar Norman Jr., G, Western Michigan, Sr.
Preseason All-MAC Second Team
Xavier Castaneda, G, Akron, Sr.
Kevin Miller, G, Central Michigan, So
Emoni Bates , F, Eastern Michigan, So.
Malique Jacobs, G, Kent State, R-Sr.
Setric Millner Jr. , F, Toledo, Sr.
Regular season
Rankings
Pre
Wk 2
Wk 3
Wk 4
Wk 5
Wk 6
Wk 7
Wk 8
Wk 9
Wk 10
Wk 11
Wk 12
Wk 13
Wk 14
Wk 15
Wk 16
Wk 17
Wk 18
Wk 19
Final
Akron
AP
C
Ball State
AP
C
Bowling Green
AP
C
Buffalo
AP
C
Central Michigan
AP
C
Eastern Michigan
AP
C
Kent State
AP
RV
RV
RV
C
RV
RV
Miami
AP
C
Northern Illinois
AP
C
Ohio
AP
C
Toledo
AP
RV
C
RV
RV
Western Michigan
AP
C
Legend
Improvement in ranking
Drop in ranking
Not ranked previous week
No change in ranking from previous week
RV
Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
т
Tied with team above or below also with this symbol
[ 14]
[ 15]
[ 16]
[ 17]
[ 18]
[ 19]
[ 20]
[ 21]
[ 22]
[ 23]
[ 24]
[ 25]
[ 26]
[ 27]
[ 28]
[ 29]
[ 30]
[ 31]
[ 32]
[ 33]
[ 34]
[ 35]
[ 36]
[ 37]
[ 38]
[ 39]
[ 40]
[ 41]
[ 42]
[ 43]
[ 44]
[ 45]
[ 46]
[ 47]
[ 48]
[ 49]
[ 50]
[ 51]
[ 52]
Conference matrix
Akron
Ball State
Bowling Green
Buffalo
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Kent State
Miami (OH)
Northern Illinois
Ohio
Toledo
Western Michigan
vs. Akron
—
1–1
0–1
0–2
0–1
0–2
1–1
0–1
0–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
vs. Ball State
1–1
—
0–2
1–0
0–1
1–1
1–1
0–1
0–2
1–0
1–1
1–1
vs. Bowling Green
1–0
2–0
—
1–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–0
1–1
2–0
1–0
vs. Buffalo
2–0
0–1
0–1
—
1–1
0–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–1
vs. Central Michigan
1–0
1–0
1–1
1–1
—
1–0
1–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
vs. Eastern Michigan
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–0
0–1
—
2–0
0–1
2–0
0–1
2–0
1–1
vs. Kent State
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–1
0–2
—
0–1
1–0
0–2
0–1
0–2
vs. Miami (OH)
1–0
1–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–0
1–0
—
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
vs. Northern Illinois
1–0
2–0
0–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
0–1
1–1
—
2–0
1–0
0–2
vs. Ohio
1–1
0–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–0
2–0
1–1
0–2
—
1–0
0–1
vs. Toledo
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–0
0–2
0–1
0–1
—
0–1
vs. Western Michigan
2–0
1–1
0–1
1–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–0
1–0
—
Total
13–5
11–7
5–13
9–9
5–13
5–13
15–3
6–12
9–9
10–8
16–2
4–14
All-MAC awards
Mid-American men's basketball weekly awards
[ 53]
Week
Player(s) of the Week
School
Nov 14[ 54]
RayJ Dennis
Toledo
Nov 21[ 55]
JT Shumate and Malique Jacobs
Toledo and Kent State
Nov 28[ 56]
Payton Sparks and Miles Brown
Ball State and Ohio
Dec 5[ 57]
Curtis Jones
Buffalo
Dec 12[ 58]
RayJ Dennis
Toledo
Dec 19[ 59]
Jaylin Sellers
Ball State
Dec 26[ 60]
Sincere Carry
Kent State
Jan 2[ 61]
Reggie Bass
Central Michigan
Jan 9[ 62]
Enrique Freeman
Akron
Jan 16[ 63]
Miryne Thomas
Kent State
Jan 23[ 64]
RayJ Dennis
Toledo
Jan 30[ 65]
Enrique Freeman
Akron
Feb 6[ 66]
Xavier Castaneda
Akron
Feb 13[ 67]
Jaylin Hunter and Tyson Acuff
Ohio and Eastern Michigan
Feb 20[ 68]
Enrique Freeman and RayJ Dennis
Akron and Toledo
Feb 27[ 69]
Emoni Bates and Mekhi Lairy
Eastern Michigan and Miami
Mar 6[ 70]
RayJ Dennis and Sincere Carry
Toledo and Kent State
Postseason
Mid–American Tournament
Kent State defeated Toledo in the final to earn the conference's automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA tournament .[ 71] Sincere Carry was the MVP.[ 72]
NCAA tournament
Kent State was placed as the 13th seed in the Midwest Regional where they lost to Indiana in the first round of the NCAA tournament.[ 73] [ 74]
National Invitation tournament
Toledo received an automatic bid to the National Invitation tournament where they lost to Michigan in the first round.[ 75] [ 76]
Postseason awards
RayJ Dennis was the unanimous selection for player of the year.[ 77]
Coach of the Year: Tod Kowalczyk , Toledo
Player of the Year: RayJ Dennis, Toledo
Freshman of the Year: Reggie Bass, Central Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: Malique Jacobs, Kent State
Sixth Man of the Year: Jalen Sullinger, Kent State
Honors
Honor
Recipient
Postseason All-MAC First Team
Xavier Castaneda, Sr., G, Akron
Enrique Freeman, Jr., F, Akron
Sincere Carry , R-Sr., G, Kent State
RayJ Dennis , Jr., G, Toledo
JT Shumate, Sr., F, Toledo
Postseason All-MAC Second Team
Payton Sparks, So., C, Ball State
Jarron Coleman, R-Jr., G, Ball State
Malique Jacobs, R-Sr., G, Kent State
Setric Millner Jr. , Sr., F, Toledo
Dwight Wilson III, Grad., F, Ohio
Postseason All-MAC Third Team
Jaylin Sellers, So., G, Ball State
Curtis Jones, So., G, Buffalo
Emoni Bates , So., F, Eastern Michigan
Mekhi Lairy, 5th, G, Miami
David Coit, So., G, Northern Illinois
Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention
Leon Ayers III, Sr., G, Bowling Green
Anderson Mirambeaux, Sr., F, Miami
Kaleb Thornton, Sr., G, Northern Illinois
Jaylin Hunter, Jr., G, Ohio
Lamar Norman Jr., Sr., G, Western Michigan
All-MAC Freshman Team
Reggie Bass, Central Michigan, G
Ryan Mabrey, Miami, G
AJ Brown, Ohio, G
Elmore James, Ohio, G
Seth Hubbard, Western Michigan, G
All-MAC Defensive Team
Enrique Freeman, Akron
Greg Tribble, Jr., G, Akron
Demarius Jacobs, Sr., G, Ball State
Malique Jacobs, Kent State
Sincere Carry, Kent State
See also
2022–23 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season
References
^ Zarrella, Tony. "MAC Tournament staying in downtown Cleveland through 2030" . Cleveland 19 News . Retrieved May 23, 2022 .
^ "History: Toledo men win third consecutive outright MAC Championship" . Toledo Blade . Retrieved March 9, 2023 .
^ "2023 All-MAC basketball: Xavier Castaneda, Enrique Freeman, Sincere Carry earn honors" . Akron Beacon Journal . Retrieved March 10, 2023 .
^ "Northern Illinois 57, Kent State State 76" . ESPN. Retrieved March 9, 2023 .
^ "Akron 73, Kent State 79" . ESPN. Retrieved March 10, 2023 .
^ "Toledo 78, Kent State 93" . ESPN. Retrieved March 11, 2023 .
^ "Sources: Ball State fires Whitford after 9 seasons" . ESPN.com . March 14, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022 .
^ Karpinski, Izzy (March 25, 2022). "Ball State hires Michael Lewis as men's basketball coach" . Fox 59 . Retrieved May 23, 2022 .
^ Media, Field Level. "Miami (Ohio) parts ways with coach Jack Owens" . Gwinnett Prep Sports . Retrieved May 23, 2022 .
^ "Travis Steele introduced as new Miami RedHawks men's basketball coach" . WCPO . March 31, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022 .
^ "Western Michigan men's basketball coach Clayton Bates steps down after two seasons" . Detroit Free Press . March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022 .
^ Knight (SpartyOnHuskers), Kevin (April 5, 2022). "Longtime Michigan State assistant Dwayne Stephens leaves for Western Michigan" . BT Powerhouse . Retrieved May 23, 2022 .
^ "Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll & All-MAC Teams Announced" getsomemaction.com . Retrieved 2022-10-26.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 1" . Associated Press . November 7, 2022.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 2" . Associated Press . November 14, 2022.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 3" . Associated Press . November 21, 2022.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 4" . Associated Press . November 28, 2022.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 5" . Associated Press . December 5, 2022.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 6" . Associated Press . December 12, 2022.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 7" . Associated Press . December 19, 2022.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 8" . Associated Press . December 26, 2022.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 9" . Associated Press . January 2, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 10" . Associated Press . January 9, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 11" . Associated Press . January 16, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 12" . Associated Press . January 23, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 13" . Associated Press . January 30, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 14" . Associated Press . February 6, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 15" . Associated Press . February 13, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 16" . Associated Press . February 20, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 16" . Associated Press . February 27, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 17" . Associated Press . March 6, 2023.
^ "AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll, Week 18" . Associated Press . March 13, 2023.
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Pre Season" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 2" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 3" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 4" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 5" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 6" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 7" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 8" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 9" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 10" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 11" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 12" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 13" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 14" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 15" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 16" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 17" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 18" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 19" . USA Today .
^ "USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Week 20" . USA Today .
^ "Men's Basketball Players of the Week" .
^ "Toledo's RayJ Dennis Named Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Kent State's Jacobs, Toledo's Shumate Share Player of the Week Honors" .
^ "Ball State's Sparks, Ohio's Brown Share Player of the Week Honors" .
^ "Buffalo's Jones Named Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Toledo's Dennis Named Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Ball State's Sellers Named Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Kent State's Carry Named Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Central Michigan's Bass Earns Men's Basketball Player of the Week Honors" .
^ "Akron's Freeman Earns Men's Basketball Player of the Week Honors" .
^ "Kent State's Thomas Named MAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Toledo's Dennis Named Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Akron's Freeman Named Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Akron's Castaneda Named MAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week" .
^ "Ohio's Hunter, EMU's Acuff Share Co-Men's Basketball Player of the Week Honors" .
^ "Akron's Freeman, Toledo's Dennis Share Player of the Week Honors" .
^ "Eastern Michigan's Bates, Miami's Lairy Named Men's Basketball Co-Players of the Week" .
^ "Kent State's Carry, Toledo's Dennis Named MAC Men's Basketball Co-Players of the Week" .
^ "MAC champs! Kent State beats Toledo" . FOX 8 Cleveland . March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023 .
^ "Flash Dance: Kent State Headed To NCAA tournament" . Mid-American conference . March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023 .
^ "Indiana men open NCAA tournament push against Kent State Friday" . WDRB . March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023 .
^ Horner, Scott (March 18, 2023). "LIVE: Indiana basketball beats Kent State in March Madness action" . Indianapolis Star . Retrieved March 20, 2023 .
^ "Bufkin, Baker lead Michigan past Toledo 90-80 in NIT" . CBS Sports. Retrieved March 15, 2023 .
^ "Michigan basketball a 3 seed in NIT, to open tournament at home vs. Toledo" . Detroit Free Press . March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023 .
^ "2022-23 MAC Basketball Postseason Awards Released" .
Teams Future teams Championships & awards Seasons