Here we are at the last power rankings of 2010. With one game to play, virtually nothing has been decided. We're set for an exciting finish on Thursday with East co-leaders Kent and Akron squaring off for the regular season championship on national TV and Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan fighting for at least a share of the West title.
1. Kent State (22-8, 12-3) (1): The Flashes continue to take care of business offensively and finally showed some better form defensively against Miami. Justin Greene has staked his claim to being the MAC's best second banana, shooting an absurd 17-22 last week. The sophomore has put up some insane efficiency per possession numbers lately: .325, .431, .404 and .636(!). For the uninitiated, that's a really, really good sustained run. There will be life after this senior class graduates. This week: @Akron (Friday, ESPN2)
2. Akron (22-8, 12-3) (2): The Zips have won seven consecutive conference games, five of them by six points or less. If it weren't for the hiccup against EMU, it would be 10 in a row. Akron continues to work its balanced offense and play solid defense. Still, a loss on Thursday has to be seen as wildly disappointing among the UA faithful, especially with the VCU beating still fresh in the minds of some. This game could be more important for Akron than Kent. How can you expect to beat your rival in Cleveland if you can't do it in Akron? Home court and maybe a little urgency/desperation gives a slight edge to the Zips. This week: Kent State (Friday, ESPN2)
3. Buffalo (17-10, 9-6) (4): I left Buffalo for dead a while ago, but they've rebounded to position themselves for the last bye in the conference tournament. Still, there is a clear divide between #2 and #3. Consider the Bulls the best of the rest, mostly because John Boyer's clutch shooting allowed them to avoid a bad home loss to Ohio. No team with a defense this bad is going to make noise in Cleveland. Upset potential is high. This week: @Miami (Thursday)
4. Central Michigan (14-14, 8-7) (6): Despite the choke job against the Broncos, CMU is playing a little better ball than the Eagles. Robbie Harman continues to abuse the nets. The Chippewas are forcing their opponents into turnovers at a higher rate than anyone else in the conference, which is always useful against an Eagle team that can give the ball up in bunches. This week: @Eastern Michigan (Thursday)
5. Eastern Michigan (16-13, 8-7) (8): The suddenly surging Eagles have won their last four MAC contests to find themselves a home win away from the West title and the #2 seed in Cleveland. They've somehow managed to win these games despite shooting no better than 42% in any of them. They are, however, getting the better of their opponents on the boards, pulling down a higher percentage of offensive and defensive rebounds in three of their four wins. This week: Central Michigan (Thursday)
6. Miami (12-17, 8-7) (5): Even an 8-8 finish is something of an accomplishment for a RedHawk team that is as talent-deficient as it has been for a while. Interestingly, Miami hasn't seen Buffalo since the conference opener. That was on Jan. 9, meaning these teams haven't seen each other in nearly two full months. It won't help that Adam Fletcher looks like a 50-year-old on the court lately. Without him, Miami is marshmallowy soft on the inside. This week: Buffalo (Thursday)
7.Ball State (15-13, 8-7) (3): What happened? The Cardinals were flying high then get scorched by EMU, allowing 1.127 points per defensive possession, perhaps their worst performance of the year. Then they lose to Toledo, which is unfathomable. Yes, it could be a bad timing perfect storm- it's hard to beat anyone, even Toledo, when you're scoring points at a rate of .719 per possession and shoot an effective 27.8% from the floor. Still, the team that looked like they had the West in the bag has to win on the road against a Bronco squad gunning for a home opening-round game. This week: @Western Michigan (Thursday)
8. Ohio (16-14, 6-9) (9): The Bobcats feel like the classic team still trying to put it all together. This year, we've seen a good defensive OU squad gradually erode into a below-average one. Part of that is the personnel loss that forced John Groce to go to a zone more than he wanted. Part of that is exploiting Armon Bassett. No threat to take home the title, they're still a team that many fans do not want to see going against their school. This week: Bowling Green (Thursday)
9. Bowling Green (14-14, 6-9) (8): Somebody needs to explain why Scott Thomas has taken 46 more shots than Dee Brown despite Brown shooting a much higher percentage from the floor, slightly higher at the line, and significantly higher from three. Stop shooting threes, Scott. Just stop. You're bad at it. Keep drawing fouls inside, which you are good at (121 FTA, leads team). This week: @Ohio (Thursday)
10. Western Michigan (15-14, 7-8) (10): Given the Broncos' bad road record, it is imperative for WMU to beat Ball State at home to secure a first round home game for the tournament. David Kool losing on the road in his last game would be an injustice. Kool accounted for 31 (8-19 from the field, 14-14 free throws) of WMU's 66 points in the loss to CMU. This week: Ball State (Thursday)
11. Northern Illinois (9-19, 5-10) (11): Able to get off the schnide with a comeback against CMU. A win over Toledo would get them into double digit wins for the year, which is... something. This week: Toledo (Thursday)
12. Toledo (4-26, 1-14) (12): The surprise win against Ball State helps the Rockets avoid the moniker of worst team in MAC history, though they're still contenders. Maybe they'll just settle for worst team in UT history. Still, the NIU game looks a little more winnable now. This week: @Northern Illinois (Thursday)
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Buffalo (17-10, 9-6) (4): I left Buffalo for dead a while ago, but they've rebounded to position themselves for the last bye in the conference tournament. Still, there is a clear divide between #2 and #3. Consider the Bulls the best of the rest, mostly because John Boyer's clutch shooting allowed them to avoid a bad home loss to Ohio. No team with a defense this bad is going to make noise in Cleveland. Upset potential is high.
Central Michigan (14-14, 8-7) (6): Despite the choke job against the Broncos, CMU is playing a little better ball than the Eagles. Robbie Harman continues to abuse the nets. The Chippewas are forcing their opponents into turnovers at a higher rate than anyone else in the conference, which is always useful against an Eagle team that can give the ball up in bunches.
Eastern Michigan (16-13, 8-7) (8): The suddenly surging Eagles have won their last four MAC contests to find themselves a home win away from the West title and the #2 seed in Cleveland. They've somehow managed to win these games despite shooting no better than 42% in any of them. They are, however, getting the better of their opponents on the boards, pulling down a higher percentage of offensive and defensive rebounds in three of their four wins.
Miami (12-17, 8-7) (5): Even an 8-8 finish is something of an accomplishment for a RedHawk team that is as talent-deficient as it has been for a while. Interestingly, Miami hasn't seen Buffalo since the conference opener. That was on Jan. 9, meaning these teams haven't seen each other in nearly two full months. It won't help that Adam Fletcher looks like a 50-year-old on the court lately. Without him, Miami is marshmallowy soft on the inside.
Ball State (15-13, 8-7) (3): What happened? The Cardinals were flying high then get scorched by EMU, allowing 1.127 points per defensive possession, perhaps their worst performance of the year. Then they lose to Toledo, which is unfathomable. Yes, it could be a bad timing perfect storm- it's hard to beat anyone, even Toledo, when you're scoring points at a rate of .719 per possession and shoot an effective 27.8% from the floor. Still, the team that looked like they had the West in the bag has to win on the road against a Bronco squad gunning for a home opening-round game.
Ohio (16-14, 6-9) (9): The Bobcats feel like the classic team still trying to put it all together. This year, we've seen a good defensive OU squad gradually erode into a below-average one. Part of that is the personnel loss that forced John Groce to go to a zone more than he wanted. Part of that is exploiting Armon Bassett. No threat to take home the title, they're still a team that many fans do not want to see going against their school.
Bowling Green (14-14, 6-9) (8): Somebody needs to explain why Scott Thomas has taken 46 more shots than Dee Brown despite Brown shooting a much higher percentage from the floor, slightly higher at the line, and significantly higher from three. Stop shooting threes, Scott. Just stop. You're bad at it. Keep drawing fouls inside, which you are good at (121 FTA, leads team).
Western Michigan (15-14, 7-8) (10): Given the Broncos' bad road record, it is imperative for WMU to beat Ball State at home to secure a first round home game for the tournament. David Kool losing on the road in his last game would be an injustice. Kool accounted for 31 (8-19 from the field, 14-14 free throws) of WMU's 66 points in the loss to CMU.
Northern Illinois (9-19, 5-10) (11): Able to get off the schnide with a comeback against CMU. A win over Toledo would get them into double digit wins for the year, which is... something.
Toledo (4-26, 1-14) (12): The surprise win against Ball State helps the Rockets avoid the moniker of worst team in MAC history, though they're still contenders. Maybe they'll just settle for worst team in UT history. Still, the NIU game looks a little more winnable now.