East Division
Akron (10-21 overall, 5-13 MAC): Early-season injuries quickly crippled what became a young Akron squad in 2001-02. Amidst all the struggles, sophomore swingman Daryl Peterson stepped into the lineup and averaged 13.1 points. Dan Hipsher, the dean of MAC coaches, will look to Peterson and his son Andy (12.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg), a 6-8 junior, to lead the way this year. The Zips are lacking some zip in the backcourt, however, and will need improvement there in order to move up in the standings.
Buffalo (12-18, 7-11): The Bulls improved from four wins to 12 last year, but head coach Reggie Witherspoon saw eight players, including four starters, graduate. If improvement is to continue, sophomore point guard Turner Battle will have to lead the way. Battle is the leading returnee in points (7.6), rebounds (4.0) and assists (3.4) and steals (1.1). Junior college transfer Calvin Cage will also be looked to for production at guard.
Kent State (30-6, 17-1): The Flashes blitzed through the MAC last season before making an improbable run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Stan Heath departed for Arkansas after just one season, leaving the reins to assistant Jim Christian. The entire backcourt graduated, but the Golden Flashes will have a strong building block in 6-5 senior forward Antonio Gates (16.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg). Centers John Edwards and Nate Gerwig also return inside.
Marshall (15-15, 8-10): After what many considered an underachieving season, the Thundering Herd waved goodbye to pivot man J.R. VanHoose and swingman Tamar Slay, two of the best in school history. Greg White's team looks to reload behind junior guard Ronald Blackshear, who averaged 19.6 points while nailing ??? percent of his 3-pointers.
Miami (13-18, 9-9): It was a young RedHawk squad that took to the floors last year, and now head coach Charlie Coles is hoping that added experience will payoff now. Junior guard Juby Johnson will be counted on to boost his scoring average of 10.5. Chet Mason (8.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg), a strong rebounder for his size (6-feet-3-inches), is now the full-time point guard. Danny Horace is also undersized (6 feet 5 inches) but effective inside player. The RedHawks are hoping redshirt freshman Nate VanderSluis can turn his 6-foot-11-inch-310-pound frame into another force down low.
Ohio (17-11, 11-7): Like Ball State's relief at Theron Smith returning for his senior season, Ohio and second-year coach Tim O'Shea are similarly grateful that 6-7 senior Brandon Hunter withdrew from the NBA draft. Hunter brings back averages of 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. Swingman Steve Esterkamp returns as does fellow senior Sonny Johnson at guard. Johnson can also be a strong scorer when healthy. The point guard tag team of Jaivon Harris and Zach Keikow is also back. It all adds up to a team many have pegged as a MAC favorite.
West Division
Bowling Green (24-9, 12-6): Four starters, including MAC Player of the Year Keith McLeod, have departed. However, head coach Dan Dakich returned to the Falcons eight days after accepting the head job at West Virginia. Many thought last year's team should have received an NCAA tournament bid, but this year's bunch will be facing an uphill climb. Leading returnee Josh Almanson (4.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg) will be looked to for inside scoring. Junior guard Erik Crawford is the one returning starter, and guard Cory Ryan is the Falcons' lone senior. The freshman class has some potential-impact guards.
Central Michigan (9-19, 5-13): Swingman David Webber, the MAC's top player two years ago, graduated and forward Chad Pleiness opted for professional baseball. While the cupboard isn't bare for head coach Jay Smith, it did empty some. Seven-foot junior center Chris Kaman looks to lead the way after averaging 11.8 points and 8.3 rebounds. He and senior forward Mike Manciel could give the Chippewas a strong inside game. Help is needed from senior guards Whitney Robinson, T.J. Meerman and J.R. Wallace.
Eastern Michigan (6-24, 2-16): As bad as Jim Boone's second season at the helm of EMU was, it was an improvement over the 3-25 mark of two years ago. Looking to lead what the Eagles hope is continued improvement are junior Ricky Cottrill and senior Steve Pettyjohn. Cottrill, a 6-foot-3-inch guard, was third in the MAC with 19.4 points per game, while the 6-foot-8-inch Pettyjohn put up 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. JaQuan Hart, a 6-foot-6-inch swingman, who transferred from Ohio State, could provide a boost when he becomes eligible after the fall semester.
Northern Illinois (12-16, 8-10): Rob Judson begins his second season at NIU looking for someone to pick up the slack after bidding adieu to leading scorer Leon Rodgers. Four starters are back for the Huskies, and the likely option is junior Marcus Smallwood (6-foot-6-inch forward, 12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Also returning is the backcourt of Eugene Bates and P.J. Smith. Senior Mike Morrison and 6-foot-10-inch freshman Bryson McKenzie lead what could be a formidable front court for Judson's team. The Huskies will begin play this season in the new $35.8 million Convocation Center.
Toledo (16-14, 11-7): Two-year starting point guard Terry Reynolds transferred, but many think this could be a case of addition by subtraction for Stan Joplin's Rockets. With seldom-used guard Garwin Patterson the only other player gone from a team that became hot late in the 2001-02 season, hopes are high for Joplin's sixth season. Senior Nick Moore will be team's go-to man after scoring 14.3 points per game and burying 45 percent of his 3-pointers. He, junior Keith Triplett, (9.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and transfer point guard J.T. West could form the conference's best backcourt. Forward Ricardo Thomas and center A.J. Shellabarger are being looked to for production in the post. Playing mostly younger players last year has given Joplin an experienced group for 2002-03.
Western Michigan (17-13, 10-8): The Broncos' backcourt of sophomore Ben Reed (14.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and senior Robby Collum (15.5 ppg, 4.5 assists, 2.4 steals) should also rank among the MAC's best. Reed was the MAC Freshman of the Year. In all, third-year coach Robert McCullum welcomes back four starters, the other two of which are forwards Anthony Kann (7.2 rpg) and Terrance Slater. Big things are expected of newcomers Brian Snider (6-foot-6-inch guard) and 6-foot-8-inch junior-college All-American Mike Williams.-á
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