MAC News Media Picks Ball State and Ohio To Win Their Divisions
Oct. 24, 2002
Cleveland, Ohio - Last year Ball State began the season with wins over
top ranked teams Kansas and UCLA and closed the season by advancing to
the quarterfinals of the NIT. With three starters returning from the
Cardinals first team ever to win three post season games, Ball State is
the pick of the MAC News Media Association members to win this year's
West Division and MAC Tournament at Gund Arena (March 13-15). On the
East Division side, Ohio gets the nod as the Bobcats also return three
starters.
Ball State returns all-MAC selection Theron Smith (19.6 ppg,
league-leading 10.9 rpg and 23 double-doubles) and starting guards Chris
Williams (school record 90 three-point goals) and Matt McCollom.
Ohio has two-time all-MAC first-team selection Brandon Hunter (17.3 ppg,
9.1 rpg) back as well as starters in forward Steve Esterkamp (13.4 ppg,
MAC high 9 steals in one game) and guard Jaivon Harris (82 assists).
Western Michigan is picked second to Ball State in the West, with the
Broncos' hopes bolstered by Robby Collum (MAC-leading 72 steals and 86.4
free throw pct.) and MAC Freshman of the Year Ben Reed (14.2 ppg, 6.3
rpg). Toledo is selected for the third slot as Stan Joplin's crew
returns four starters, including Nick Moore (MAC-leading 45.3%
three-point accuracy). Northern Illinois is selected for fourth place
and also returns four starters, led by top returning scorer Marcus
Smallwood (12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Bowling Green, new to the West Division
after five years in the East, has no starters back but gathered enough
votes for a fifth place predicted finish. Central Michigan is led by
7-foot Chris Kaman (11.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and is picked sixth. Eastern
Michigan, with five starters being led by sharp shooting guard Ricky
Cottrill (19.4 ppg) is slated for seventh place.
In the East, Miami edged defending champion Kent State for second place.
The RedHawks are mentored by the league's top current winning coach with
199 wins in Charlie Coles and return four starters. Juby Johnson is
Miami's top returning scorer (10.5 ppg) and will be in his third year as
a starter. The Golden Flashes lose three starters but have Antonio Gates
(15.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg) to lead defense of their MAC title. Marshall
finished slightly ahead of Akron in the fourth and fifth positions,
respectively. The Thundering Herd is paced by the long range shooting of
Ronald Blackshear, who tied a league record last season with 14
three-point goals in one game. The Zips have a solid floor leader in
Andy Hipsher, son of head coach Dan Hipsher. Hipsher's all-around game
includes 12.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 94 assists last season. Buffalo had its
best MAC season in its four years in the league in 2002 and returns
Turner Battle, a selection to the All-MAC Freshman team. Battle (102
assists) will be out to help the Bulls prove better than their sixth
place predicted finish.
MAC Preseason Poll
West Division
School (1st-place votes) Points To Win Tournament
1. Ball State (33) 249 20
2. Western Michigan 191 -
3. Toledo (3) 155 2
4. Northern Illinois 126 -
5. Bowling Green 117 -
6. Central Michigan 113 -
7. Eastern Michigan 50 -
East Division
School (1st-place votes) Points To Win Tournament
1. Ohio (22) 199 10
2. Miami (5) 166 -
3. Kent State (7) 155 2
4. Marshall (1) 94 -
5. Akron (1) 89 -
6. Buffalo 58 -
Votes: West Division points awarded on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis; East
Division points awarded on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
