The college basketball season has finally begun, but more importantly, the Mid-American Conference’s (MAC) non-conference schedule has finally started.
Bowling Green began their season 0-2, with back-to-back losses against Southern Mississippi and Davidson. But how did the rest of the MAC fare in their season starts?
Here’s how the rest of the MAC’s season began:
Toledo Rockets (1-1)
Bowling Green’s I-75 rivals began their season with a 1-1 record, with an 84-74 season opening loss vs Troy and a 90-80 victory against Marshall.
Sophomore forward Javan Simmons finished with 19 points in the loss against Troy in the MAC-Sun Belt challenge. Sophomore guard Sonny Wilson added 17 points against Troy and 16 points in the win against Marshall.
Toledo’s record stands at 1-1, and their next matchup is on Nov. 13 against Wright State.
Buffalo Bulls (2-0)
Last year, the Buffalo Bulls finished the 23-24 season with a 4-27 record, with a 2-16 record against the conference. Things have gotten off to a much better start for the Bulls in 2024.
Buffalo began their campaign with a 2-0 record, with a one-point victory against Old Dominion, 83-82 and an 87-78 victory against Fredonia St.
In their first game of the season, Senior guard Tyson Dunn hit the go-ahead three at the buzzer to defeat Old Dominion 83-82. Dunn finished with 24 points on 10/14 shooting.
Buffalo’s next contest is at Notre Dame on Nov. 11.
Kent State (2-0)
The ever-constant Golden Flashes are once again one of the MAC’s premiere teams after losing to Akron last season in the MAC championship game.
Like Buffalo, Kent State also began their season with back-to-back victories, with wins against Louisiana and Miami-Hamilton to begin the season.
In the 98-53 victory against Miami-Hamilton, senior center Cli’Ron Hornbeak had a perfect game, scoring 18 and going 6/6 shooting.
Kent State’s next matchup has them traveling to face the No. 11 ranked Auburn on Nov. 13.
Akron (1-1)
The reigning and defending champions of the MAC, Akron, started the season rough with an 80-75 loss to Arkansas St. during the MAC-Sun Belt challenge.
The Zips bounced back with a 31-point victory against Ohio Wesleyan. Five Zips players scored double-digit points in the 88-57 victory.
Junior guard Bowen Hardman led the team in scoring, with 15 coming off the bench.
UA’s next time out will be at Saint Mary’s on Nov. 12.
Ball State (1-1)
Another team in the MAC to begin the season with one victory and one loss, Ball State, started their season with an opening loss to Georgia St and a win against Franklin.
After a six-point opening loss to Georgia St, the Cardinals bounced back with a 27-point victory against Franklin.
In the 87-60 victory against Franklin, senior center Payton Sparks finished with 17 points. Junior guard Jermahri Hill also finished with 17 points.
Ball State will take on Dayton on Nov. 13 as their season continues.
Central Michigan (1-1)
Unlike other teams with a 1-1 record in the MAC, Central Michigan began their season with a victory and lost their last game.
Central Michigan opened with a 74-70 victory against South Alabama and a 73-72 loss to Stony Brook. Central Michigan lost to Stony Brook in the last seconds of the game, with Stony Brook’s Collin O’Connor hitting a game-winning layup to steal the game from the Chippewas.
Junior guard Kyler Vanderjagt scored a team-high 16 points in the season opener vs Stony Brook.
CMU’s next time out will be at #18 Marquette.
Eastern Michigan (1-1)
Eastern Michigan didn’t have the greatest start to their season, suffering a 64-44 loss to Texas St in the season opener. EMU bounced back with an 83-58 victory against Sienna Heights in their second game.
Senior forward Jalin Billingsley scored a team-high 32 points vs Siena Heights.
The Eagles next matchup is at IU Indy on Nov 14.
Miami OH (1-1)
Miami (OH) won in their season opener, 77-63 against App State. The RedHawks suffered a 13-point loss to Wright State in their next contest.
Junior guard Peter Suder scored 17 points vs App State.
Miami Oh’s next contest faces them off against MD Eastern on Nov. 12.
Northern Illinois (1-1)
After suffering a season opening loss to Georgia Southern in the MAC-Sun Belt challenge, the Huskies came out swinging in their second game of the season, winning by 68 points and sealing a 105-37 final score against Holy Cross College.
Four out of five starters for the Huskies scored double-digit points against the Saints. The Huskies shot 66.7% from the field and 50% from the three-point line.
The Huskies will look to continue their momentum as they take on Monmouth on Nov. 12.
Ohio (1-1)
Projected to finish in first place in the MAC preseason poll, the Bobcats opened their season with an 88-78 loss to James Madison and an 82-76 victory against UNC Asheville.
Senior forward AJ Clayton finished with 19 points on 8/16 shooting vs UNC Asheville.
Ohio travels to Illinois St on Nov. 12 for their third game of the season.
Western Michigan (1-1)
The Broncos had quite an interesting start to their season. First, they began the 24-25 campaign with a four-point loss to Coastal Carolina, then a 40-point victory vs Davenport.
In the 86-46 win over the Panthers, four of the five of the Broncos starters finished with double-digit points. Junior guard Brandon Muntu led the team with 17 points off the bench.
The Broncos take on Butler on Nov. 11 in their third matchup of the season.
As of the current standings, Bowling Green is the only MAC team not to record a win on their schedule.
