With Christmas just 12 days away, the month of December is the last stretch of days for non-conference play for teams within the Mid-American Conference.

So what does that mean? MACtion is coming soon.

But for now, a look at the latest storylines and more in this week’s MAC round-up:

MAC STANDINGS (courtesy of getsomemaction.com):

STORYLINES:

1. Rockets go back-to-back against Wolverines: Tricia Cullop’s Toledo Rockets a season ago went into Ann Arbor and defeated the at the time #14 Michigan Wolverines in a 71-68 upset. This year? Pure domination. The midnight blue and gold held the Wolverines to just 19 first half points and only 46 overall en route to a 69-46 statement in front of a sold out Savage Arena last Wednesday. Three Rockets registered double-digits, with reigning MAC Player of the Year Quinesha Lockett leading the way with 20 points. Veteran point guard Sophia Wiard had 14, while Sammi Mikonowicz had 10.
2. Cardinals still sit atop conference standings: Ball State continues to play at a high level, as with a 7-2 record, the Cardinals are currently in first place in the MAC. Last week, the Cardinals went 1-1, falling 90-63 against #17 Connecticut on Wednesday, while picking up a 67-59 win against Western Kentucky on Sunday. In the win against the Hilltoppers, Ally Becki, Marie Plitt and Estel Puiggros each scored in double-figures (16, 14, 11 respectively). Former Bowling Green Falcon and reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year Nyla Hampton had four steals and nine assists.
3. Eastern Michigan fires Fred Castro: Times in Ypsilanti are not off to an ideal start, as the Eagles are currently 1-7 and losers of five straight games. Because of that, director of athletics Scott Wetherbee announced the dismissal of Fred Castro as head coach of the program on Monday. Castro was the head coach of EMU for eight seasons, compiling an overall record of 80-129 and 40-84 in MAC play. In the mean time, Wetherbee announced that assistant coach Ke’Sha Blanton will assume the roles of interim head coach.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (courtesy of getsomemaction.com):

Friday, December 15, 2023 Women’s Basketball

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Eastern Michigan	IUPUI	7:00 P.M.	Indianapolis, Ind.	TV: ESPN+ Stats Video

Saturday, December 16, 2023 Women’s Basketball

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Miami	Michigan	TBA	Ann Arbor, Mich.
	Le Moyne	Buffalo	2:00 P.M.	Buffalo, NY	Stats

Sunday, December 17, 2023 Women’s Basketball

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Indiana State	Ohio	1:00 P.M.	Athens, Ohio	TV: ESPN+ Stats
	Central Michigan	Michigan State	2:00 P.M.	East Lansing, Mich. / Breslin Center	Stats Radio: CMU Sports Properties Radio Network Audio
	Purdue Fort Wayne	Western Michigan	2:00 P.M.		Stats
	Toledo	Oakland	7:00 P.M.	Rochester, Mich.

Monday, December 18, 2023 Women’s Basketball

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Eastern Illinois	Northern Illinois	6:00 P.M.	DeKalb, Ill.	Stats

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Women’s Basketball

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Lake Erie	Kent State	11:00 A.M.	Kent, Ohio	Stats Audio
	Ball State	University of Pittsburgh (Sun Coast Challenge)	12:00 P.M.	Tampa, Fla.
	South Carolina	Bowling Green	7:00 P.M.	Bowling Green, Ohio	Stats

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Women’s Basketball

	Away	Home	Time	Location	Links
	Toledo	Duke	7:00 P.M.	Durham, N.C.
	Central Michigan	North Dakota State	8:00 P.M.	Fargo, N.D. / Scheels Arena	Stats Radio: CMU Sports Properties Radio Network Audio

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