Mid-American Conference

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CLEVELAND -- Ten of the league’s top men’s basketball players have been selected to the preseason All-MAC teams for the East and West Divisions as announced by the league office. Voting for the teams was conducted among members of the MAC News Media Association.

The West Division representatives are James Hughes of Northern Illinois, Giordan Watson of Central Michigan, Justin Ingram of Toledo, Julien “Skip” Mills of Ball State and Joe Reitz of Western Michigan.

The East Division squad is comprised of Leon Williams of Ohio, Romeo Travis of Akron, Yassin Idbihi of Buffalo, Martin Samarco of Bowling Green and Nathan Peavy of Miami.

The preseason All-MAC teams will be available for interviews at the conference’s Basketball Media Day, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24 at The Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland. The media portion of the schedule is set to begin at 9:00 a.m. Fans will also be able to watch the media preview live on the internet at www.mac-sports.com.

Travis was selected to the All-MAC first-team and NABC All-District 10 second-team last season after leading the Zips to a 23-10 record, while averaging 13.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg. The Akron, Ohio native also led the Zips to the school’s first D-I postseason victory after defeating Temple in the NIT last year.

Bowling Green’s Samarco ranked second in the Mid-American Conference with 18.9 ppg., and enters the season as the MAC’s top returning scorer. Samarco was named to the All-MAC second-team last season after leading the MAC in three-point field goals made (3.45 per game), and three-point field goal percentage (.457).

Idbihi, Peavy and Williams all return this season after being selected as All-MAC honorable mention performers. Last season, Idbihi became just the ninth player in UB history to score 1,000 points in his first three seasons and ranks 12th in school history with 1,072 points. The senior averaged 14.0 ppg. and 6.9 rpg. last year. Miami’s Peavy ranked among MAC statistical leaders in rebounding, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, scoring, field goal percentage and free throw percentage last season. The senior amassed seven double-doubles over the course of the 2005-06 season, including five over Miami’s first five games. Williams will enter his junior season as Ohio’s all-time leader in field goal percentage at .619 and the Bobcats’ active career leader in scoring (11.5 ppg.), rebounding (7.8 rpg.).

Mills was selected to the All-MAC second-team after ranking third in the conference in scoring (18.6 ppg.) and 12th in rebounding (5.4 rpg.). He was the only Cardinal to start all 28 games last season and scored in double figures in 33 of his last 36 games. Toledo’s Ingram ranked third in MAC in steals (1.87 spg) and tied for sixth in scoring (14.6 ppg) en route to earning second-team All-MAC honors as well as MAC All-Tournament Team accolades.

Reitz finished second in the MAC in rebounding (7.4 rpg.) and fifth in scoring (15.5 ppg.) last season. The junor was selected to the All-MAC second-team and was also named to the Academic All-MAC squad.

Hughes returns to NIU after leading the Huskies to a West Division title. The senior also claimed MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and finished last season with 9.6 ppg., 3.6 rpg. and 40 blocks. He currently sits in third place in Huskie history with 146 career blocks .

Watson rounds out this year’s team after putting together an honorable mention All-MAC campaign last season while ranking among the league leaders in several categories. He led the conference in minutes played with 37.8 and ranked 11th in scoring (13.8 ppg), fifth in assists (4.4 apg.), tied for eighth in steals (1.54 spg.), ninth in assist/turnover ratio (1.08) and 14th in free throw percentage (.762).