Cleveland, OHIO -- The Mid-American Conference announced Thursday, November 19th the 2020-21 Women’s Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll as voted on by the league’s 12 head coaches.With 10 out of the 12 first place votes, the Central Michigan Chippewas were selected to win the 2020-21 MAC regular season title, as well as MAC Women’s Basketball Tournament title. Ten of the league's top women's basketball players were also selected to the Preseason All-MAC first and second teams as announced by the league office.
Last year's MAC Coach of the Year Heather Oesterle returns to CMU after posting a record setting 23-7 (16-2 MAC) mark in 2019-20. Coach Oesterle will bring back former MAC Player of the Year Micaela Kelly, along with All-MAC honorees Molly Davis and Kyra Bussell. Kelly was named to both the Becky Hammon and Nancy Lieberman Award Wach Lists last week after ranking second in the conference and fifth nationally in scoring at 21.5 points per game a season ago.
The Preseason All-MAC First Team features the Ohio duo of CeCe Hooks and Erica Johnson, along with last year's MAC Freshman of the Year Dyaisha Fair. Seniors Oshlynn Brown and Micalea Kelly round out the squad as they represent the MAC West the All-MAC First Team.
The Preseason All-MAC Second Team is comprised of Akron's Jordyn Dawson, Buffalo's Summer Hemphill, Eastern Michigan's Areanna Combs, as well as Central Michigan's Molly Davis and Kyra Bussell.
The MAC Regular season tips off on Wednesday, November 25th with non-conference play. 2020-21 Conference action will open up Friday, December 11th culminating with the MAC Women's Basketball Tournament that will take place on March 11-13 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
2020-21 MAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll (First Place Votes)
- Central Michigan (10) – 142 points
- Ohio – 128 points
- Ball State (1) – 119 points
- Buffalo (1) – 108 points
- Eastern Michigan – 94 points
- Kent State – 88 points
- Toledo – 71 points
- Northern Illinois – 42 points
- Miami – 41 points
- Akron – 39 points
- Bowling Green – 38 points
- Western Michigan - 28 points
Tournament Champion:
Central Michigan (6), Ohio (3), Buffalo (1), Ball State (1), EMU (1)
Preseason All-MAC First Team
Oshlynn Brown, Ball State, Senior, Forward
Dyaisha Fair, Buffalo, Sophomore, Guard
Micaela Kelly, Central Michigan, Senior, Guard
Erica Johnson, Ohio, R-Junior, Forward
Cierra (CeCe) Hooks, Ohio, Senior, Guard
Preseason All-MAC Second Team
Jordyn Dawson, Akron, Senior, Forward
Summer Hemphill, Buffalo, R-Senior, Forward
Molly Davis, Central Michigan, Sophomore, Guard
Kyra Bussell, Central Michigan, Senior, Forward
Areanna Combs, Eastern Michigan, R-Senior, Guard
