Conference preview: Mid-American

As competitive as the MAC has been over the past several years, it hasn't received much love from the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

Last season, seven MAC teams finished with winning records. Three -- Kent State, Akron and Toledo -- won at least 20 games. But when invitations were handed out, only Kent State earned a ticket to the dance by winning the MAC Tournament. Akron and Miami (Ohio) were invited to the NIT.

The Golden Flashes were seeded 12th opposite Pitt, leading some to envision a repeat of 2002 when they beat the Panthers en route to the Elite Eight.

Those dreams were quickly dashed as the Golden Flashes couldn't handle the inside power of the Panthers and were knocked out 79-64 in the first round.

While it should be yet another closely contested race in the MAC, it's a good bet only one team will get a shot to make a Cinderella run through the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

Teams to beat

Akron and Toledo: The Zips were 23-10 a season ago (14-4 in the MAC), the most victories in their D-I history. But they were upset by Toledo in the conference semifinals and relegated to the NIT. It wasn't all bad; they earned their first postseason victory, 80-73 in OT against Temple.

This season the Zips, the MAC's highest scoring team, return their top four scorers and four starters. Seniors Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce form the heart of the team. Travis is the team's top scorer (13.8 ppg) and rebounder (6.8 rpg), while Joyce is the main ball-handler. Last season he led the team in assists (5.0 apg), second in the MAC.

The Zips also welcome back Jeremiah Wood, a 6-6, 245-pound forward who missed all of last season with a knee injury. He'll be a strong defensive and rebounding presence and teams with Travis to form a formidable frontcourt. In the West Division, the Rockets are the pick. A season ago, they reached the conference championship, falling 71-66 in the title game to Kent State.

Like the Zips, the Rockets return four starters -- three seniors -- which should serve them well in their bid to reach the Big Dance for the first time since 1980.

Justin Ingram is the go-to guy, averaging 14.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 2.9 apg a season ago. Florentino Valencia isn't far behind with his 12.0 ppg and 4.4 rpg. Keonta Howell chipped in with 11.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg.

But where the Rockets may fall short is rebounding. They ranked near the bottom of the conference last season.

Watch out for

Kent State: The defending conference champs have lost the top three scorers from a season ago, but as teams in the MAC know, you can never count out the Golden Flashes.

Kent State has eight consecutive 20-win seasons, and coach Jim Christian has every intention of making it nine.

Omni Smith is the team's top returning scorer with a modest 8.1 ppg. While the Golden Flashes will need him to up that production, they're really counting on Haminn Quaintance, a transfer from Jacksonville, to provide the scoring punch.

Quaintance was the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year in 2004-05 after averaging 13.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.4 blocks and 2.1 steals.

Player of the Year

Leon Williams, Ohio: After a stellar freshman year, big things were expected from Williams and the Bobcats last season. It didn't happen. Williams' numbers dipped, and Ohio finished fourth in the East Division a year after advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

Now a junior, Williams will be counted on to become a leader. He's a beast down low and is the team's top returning scorer and rebounder. Ohio could surprise, and if so, Williams will be the reason.

Romeo Travis is the favorite of most pundits, and if Akron lives up to expectations, he might very well take top honors. Also watch out for Bowling Green's Martin Samarco, the MAC's top returning scorer, and Ball State's Julien "Skip" Mills, another potent scorer.