2012-13 MAC Basketball Preseason Rankings Roundup

Here is here Northern Illinois ranks in various preseason basketball previews:

• Preseason MAC Media Poll - 5th in the West
• Athlon - 5th in the West
• Ken Pomeroy - 298th in the nation, 5th in the West
• Basketball Prospectus - 321st in the nation, 5th in the West

If we know one thing it's that we can take solace in the fact that we're better than Central Michigan.

It's yet another rebuilding year for the Huskies who were 5-26 last season. 56% of the minutes played last year were by freshmen, which ranked 6th in the nation. It's the second year in the Mark Montgomery era and things can only improve on last year with a lot of players returning. Especially Abdel Nader making the All-MAC West squad.

It's interesting to look at the MAC this year with all the different tiers.

Tier 1 (Top-100, Tourney Teams)

Ohio & Akron

These are the two favorites to win the MAC. In a one-ticket conference, only one of these teams will make the tourney.

Tier 2 (100-200, Dark Horses)

Kent State, Buffalo, Bowling Green & Toledo

Traditional powers in the MAC and a Toledo Rockets team that isn't eligible for the MAC tourney.

Tier 3 (200-347, Rebuilds)

Miami OH, The rest of the MAC West

These teams don't have much of a chance at the tourney, but should be fun to follow their progress.

2012-13 MAC Basketball Preseason Rankings & All-MAC Teams

2012-13 East Division Predicted Order of Finish

1. Ohio – 141 Votes (19 first place votes)

2. Akron – 122 Votes (5)

3. Kent State – 89 Votes

4. Buffalo – 68 Votes

5. Bowling Green – 53 Votes

6. Miami – 31 Votes

2012-13 East Division Preseason All-MAC Team

C Zeke Marshall, Akron

F A’uston Calhoun, Bowling Green

F Javon McCrea, Buffalo

G Walter Offutt, Ohio

G D.J. Cooper, Ohio

2012-13 West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Toledo – 143 Votes (20 first place votes)

2. Eastern Michigan – 118 Votes (4)

3. Western Michigan – 88 Votes

4. Ball State – 74 Votes

5. Northern Illinois – 46 Votes

6. Central Michigan – 35 Votes

2012-13 West Division Preseason All-MAC Team

G Jesse Berry, Ball State

F Abdel Nader, Northern Illinois

G Rian Pearson, Toledo

G Julius Brown, Toledo

F Nate Hutcheson, Western Michigan

FirstEnergy MAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Winner: Ohio (18), Akron (6)

Ken Pomeroy (KenPom)

MAC

56. Ohio
63. Akron
126. Buffalo
166. Bowling Green
174. Kent State
183. Toledo
241. Miami OH
239. Ball State
242. Western Michigan
291. Eastern Michigan
298. Northern Illinois
322. Central Michigan

Offensive Rankings

50. Ohio
55. Akron
128. Buffalo
151. Toledo
171. Bowling Green
176. Kent State
227. Western Michigan
247. Ball State
254. Miami OH
296. Northern Illinois
328. Eastern Michigan
333. Central Michigan

Defensive Rankings

57. Ohio
76. Akron
125. Buffalo
161. Bowling Green
174. Kent State
190. Eastern Michigan
223. Miami OH
230. Toledo
231. Ball State
253. Western Michigan
281. Central Michigan
289. Northern Illinois

Dan Hanner (Basketball Prospectus)

MAC

42. Ohio
63. Akron
161. Kent State
178. Buffalo
177. Toledo
194. Bowling Green
218. Western Michigan
234. Miami OH
235. Ball State
248. Eastern Michigan
321. Northern Illinois
324. Central Michigan

Offensive Rankings

1. Ohio - 108.2
2. Akron - 108.1
3. Kent State - 101.6
3. Toledo - 101.6
5. Bowling Green - 97.8
6. Buffalo - 97.6
7. Western Michigan - 97.2
8. Miami OH - 95.0
9. Ball State - 93.9
11. Central Michigan - 89.1
10. Eastern Michigan - 89.0
12. Northern Illinois - 88.1

Defensive Rankings

1. Ohio - 92.2
2. Akron - 96.2
3. Eastern Michigan - 97.7
4. Buffalo - 99.5
5. Bowling Green - 101.5
6. Kent State - 101.9
7. Ball State - 102.1
8. Miami OH - 103.2
9. Toledo - 103.5
10. Western Michigan - 103.9
11. Northern Illinois - 106.7
12. Central Michigan - 108.3