Bobcats and Rockets Named Preseason Favorites
Oct. 26, 2005
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CLEVELAND -- The Mid-American Conference announced today that Ohio (East Division) and Toledo (West Division) have been chosen as preseason favorites to win their respective divisions in men's basketball. Voting was conducted by members of the MAC News Media Association. The MAC announces the top six teams in each division and the tournament winner in its preseason poll. The Bobcats were also tabbed to win the MAC Tournament.
The Bobcats return four starters from the 2004-05 team that captured the Mid-American Conference Tournament title and participated in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 1993-94 season. Senior Mychal Green (15.0 ppg.) and sophomore Leon Williams (11.9 ppg.) were both named to the 2005-06 Preseason All-MAC team and will be joined by sophomore Jeremy Fears (11.9 ppg.) and junior Sonny Troutman (12.6 ppg.). Williams was named MAC Freshman of the Year and was selected to the honorable mention team. Green also was selected to the honorable mention squad last season.
Akron was picked to finish second in the East Division and received five votes to win the MAC Tournament. The Zips boast four returning starters, including junior Romeo Travis (11.9 ppg.). Travis was a second-team All-MAC selection last season and garnered preseason All-MAC honors this season. Joining Travis will be seniors Matt Futch and Darryl Peterson and junior Dru Joyce.
Miami and Kent State tied for third place in the preseason poll with a total of 85 points after both teams reached the postseason a year ago. The RedHawks received two votes to win the MAC Tournament. Buffalo was picked to finish fifth after reaching the NIT last season and Bowling Green rounds out the East Division.
Toledo will welcome back three starters this season after capturing a share of the Mid-American Conference's West Division title last season. Senior Sammy Villegas (9.3 ppg.) was selected to the preseason All-MAC team this season and ranks third on UT's all-time list in three-point field goals made (203) and three-point field-goal attempts (551).
Ball State was picked to finish second in the West and received four votes to win the MAC Tournament. Head coach Tim Buckley will welcome back three starters, including preseason All-MAC selection Peyton Stovall. Stovall ranked fifth in the MAC with 16.7 ppg. and enters the season as the MAC's top returning scorer. Stovall will be joined by Julien "Skip" Mills and Tom Howland.
Western Michigan was selected to finish third after reaching the NIT last season. Northern Illinois was tabbed to finish fourth. Eastern Michigan and new head coach Charles Ramsey were picked to place fifth and Central Michigan rounds out the West Division in sixth.
The MAC season gets underway on Thursday, November 10 as Bowling Green faces Western Carolina in the NABC Classic in Blacksburg, Va. Conference play begins when Toledo hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday, December 3.
East Division
1. Ohio (16) 153
2. Akron (6) 120
T3.Miami (4) 85
T3.Kent State 85
5. Buffalo 79
6. Bowling Green 45
West Division
1. Toledo (15) 135
2. Ball State (5) 127
3. Western Michigan (5) 114
4. Northern Illinois (1) 97
5. Eastern Michigan 54
6. Central Michigan 40
First place votes in parentheses ( )
Tournament Votes: Ohio 14, Akron 5, Ball State 4, Miami 2, Toledo 1
