CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference women's basketball season tips off Monday, Nov. 2, with all 12 MAC programs hosting Sun Belt Conference opponents in the fourth annual MAC-SBC Challenge.
The second round of the MAC-SBC Challenge will take place Saturday, Feb. 6, with the MAC teams traveling to face Sun Belt opponents. Conference play begins Saturday, Jan. 2, with each team playing an 18-game league schedule.
The 2026-27 regular season will conclude Saturday, March 6, with the top eight teams advancing to Cleveland's Rocket Arena for the MAC Women's Basketball Tournament, March 10-13.
MAC-SBC Challenge Women's Basketball Matchups
Old Dominion at Central Michigan, 11AM ET (ESPN+)
Coastal Carolina at Western Michigan, 11AM ET (ESPN+)
Georgia State at Buffalo, 6PM ET (ESPN+)
South Alabama at Akron, 6PM ET (ESPN+)
Marshall at UMass, 6PM ET (ESPN+)
App State at Eastern Michigan, 6:30PM ET (ESPN+)
Arkansas State at Ball State, 6:30PM ET (ESPN+)
Georgia Southern at Bowling Green, 7PM ET (ESPN+)
Troy at Kent State, 7PM ET (ESPN+)
James Madison at Miami, 7PM ET (ESPN+)
Louisiana Monroe at Ohio, 7PM ET (ESPN+)
Louisiana Tech at Toledo, 7PM ET (ESPN+)
Team-By-Team Previews (In Preseason Coaches Poll Predicted Order)
1. Ball State
The Cardinals enter the 2026-27 campaign as the preseason favorites to capture the MAC regular-season championship after receiving 111 points and five first-place votes in the league's preseason coaches poll. Ball State also received four votes to win the MAC Tournament, tying Toledo for the most in the conference.
Head Coach Brady Sallee begins his 15th season at the helm after leading the Cardinals to a 26-7 overall record and a 16-2 mark in MAC play last season. Ball State shared the regular-season championship with Miami, marking its second consecutive season earning a share of the conference crown.
Graduate student Tessa Towers headlines the returners after averaging 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last season. Towers earned Preseason First Team All-MAC honors, while junior Grace Kingery returns after averaging 13.4 points per contest and shooting 40.9 percent from three-point range. Kingery was named to the Preseason Second Team.
The Cardinals open the season Monday at home against Arkansas State in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
2. Miami
The defending MAC regular-season and tournament champions enter the 2026-27 season looking to build on a historic campaign. Miami finished 28-7 overall and 16-2 in conference play last season, capturing both MAC championships and earning its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008.
The RedHawks were selected second in the preseason coaches poll with 108 points and four first-place votes. Head Coach Glenn Box returns senior forward Amber Tretter, who earned Preseason First Team All-MAC honors after averaging 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game last season.
Tretter enters her senior season with 1,152 career points and 788 rebounds, putting her within reach of becoming just the second player in program history to record 1,000 career points and rebounds. Senior forward Julianna Lamendola, a Preseason Second Team All-MAC selection, joins Miami after averaging 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game at Grand Canyon last season.
The RedHawks open the season Monday at home against James Madison in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
3. UMass
The Minutewomen enter their second season in the Mid-American Conference looking to build on an impressive inaugural campaign. UMass finished 23-7 overall and 15-3 in conference play last season, earning the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament.
UMass was selected third in the preseason coaches poll with 103 points and one first-place vote. Junior guard Yahmani McKayle headlines the returners after earning Preseason First Team All-MAC honors. McKayle averaged 16.2 points, 5.0 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game last season, ranking third in the conference in both scoring and assists.
The Minutewomen also return sophomore Aiyanna Perkins, who will look to build on her freshman campaign, while welcoming several newcomers to Amherst. Head Coach Mike Leflar's squad will look to continue its strong defensive play after leading the MAC in opponent three-point percentage (.287) and ranking second in scoring defense (60.4 points per game) last season.
UMass opens the season Monday at home against Marshall in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
4. Toledo
The Rockets enter their third season under Head Coach Ginny Boggess looking to make another run at the MAC championship. Toledo was selected fourth in the preseason coaches poll with 98 points and two first-place votes. The Rockets also received four votes to win the MAC Tournament, tying Ball State for the conference high.
Toledo finished 17-15 overall and 9-9 in MAC play last season, reaching the conference tournament championship game for the second consecutive year. The Rockets return eight players from last year's squad, including three Preseason All-MAC selections.
Senior guard Kendall Carruthers earned Preseason First Team All-MAC honors, while junior Faith Fedd-Robinson and senior Jyah LoVett were selected to the Second Team. The trio gives Boggess an experienced backcourt as Toledo looks to return to the top of the conference standings.
The Rockets also welcome five transfers, including three players from Power Four programs, adding more than 1,500 career points and 800 rebounds to the roster.
Toledo opens the season Monday at home against Louisiana Tech in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
5. Ohio
The Bobcats enter the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on last season's success after finishing 18-14 overall and 11-7 in conference play. Ohio advanced to the MAC Tournament semifinals and was selected fifth in the preseason coaches poll with 75 points.
Senior guard Bailey Tabeling headlines the returners after earning Preseason First Team All-MAC honors. Tabeling averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game last season. She surpassed the 1,000-point milestone during the campaign and finished with 464 points.
Senior Asiah Baxter also returns after averaging 7.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while starting all 32 contests. Redshirt junior Monica Williams adds another experienced option after averaging 7.4 points per game and shooting 41.3 percent from three-point range.
Head Coach Bob Boldon's squad returns 11 players from last season as the Bobcats look to make another run at the MAC Tournament.
Ohio opens the season Monday at home against Louisiana Monroe in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
6. Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan enters the season with increased expectations after being selected sixth in the preseason coaches poll with 61 points. The Eagles made one of the biggest jumps in the conference projections, moving up from 12th in last year's preseason poll.
Sophomore guard Peyton Hill headlines the returners after earning Preseason Second Team All-MAC honors. Hill was named the 2025-26 MAC Freshman of the Year after averaging 14.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, leading all freshmen in the conference in scoring.
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh enters her third season with nine returning players and five newcomers. Senior Fernanda Ovalle also returns after averaging 12.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season, while the Eagles added three transfers to help strengthen the roster.
Eastern Michigan opens the season Monday at home against App State in the MAC-SBC Challenge. The Eagles will look to carry their improved momentum into conference play in January.
7. Kent State
The Golden Flashes enter the 2026-27 campaign looking to climb the MAC standings after being selected seventh in the preseason coaches poll with 59 points.
Kent State begins a new era under first-year Head Coach Fran Recchia, who spent the previous decade on the Golden Flashes' coaching staff. Recchia inherits an experienced roster featuring seven players who have combined to appear in 333 games in a Kent State uniform.
Redshirt junior Janae Tyler headlines the returners after earning Preseason First Team All-MAC honors. Tyler enters the season with career averages of 10.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Senior Riley Rismiller and junior Emory Klatt also return after combining for 14.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game last season. Klatt earned MAC Sixth Player of the Year recognition.
Fifth-year guard Corynne Hauser provides additional experience in the backcourt after averaging 9.1 points and 3.0 assists per game throughout her career.
The Golden Flashes open the season Monday at home against Troy in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
8. Bowling Green
The Falcons enter the 2026-27 season looking to build around a young roster under Head Coach Fred Chmiel. Bowling Green was selected eighth in the preseason coaches poll with 50 points.
Junior forward Lauren Gerken headlines the returning group after averaging 9.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season. Gerken also knocked down 53 three-point field goals and led the Falcons with 52 blocked shots, tying the program's single-season record.
Seniors Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick and Jaedyn Cook also return, along with sophomore Ky'Aira Miller. Bowling Green welcomes nine newcomers, including eight freshmen, to a roster that features players from seven countries and five continents.
The Falcons open the season Monday at home against Georgia Southern in the MAC-SBC Challenge. Bowling Green will play its first four regular-season contests at the Stroh Center as it looks to establish momentum before the start of conference play.
9. Central Michigan
The Chippewas enter the 2026-27 season looking to continue their progress under Head Coach Kristin Haynie. Central Michigan finished 18-12 overall and 12-6 in conference play last season, reaching the MAC Tournament for the second consecutive year.
Central Michigan was selected ninth in the preseason coaches poll with 44 points. The Chippewas welcome a blend of experienced returners and newcomers as they look to remain competitive in the conference.
Junior guard Jayda Mosley returns after shooting 41.2 percent from three-point range last season, leading the Chippewas in that category. Sophomore Lilah Turnbull also returns after gaining valuable experience during her freshman campaign, while junior Riley Smith is back after missing the final portion of last season with an injury.
The Chippewas open the season Monday at home against Old Dominion in the MAC-SBC Challenge. Their nonconference schedule also features matchups against Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue and Ohio State.
10. Western Michigan
Western Michigan begins its 2026-27 campaign looking to make strides under second-year Head Coach Kate Achter. The Broncos were selected 10th in the preseason coaches poll with 37 points after finishing 9-20 overall and 5-13 in conference play last season.
Junior guard Kailey Starks headlines the returning players after leading Western Michigan in scoring last season. Starks averaged 12.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while starting all 29 contests. She also recorded 33 points against South Alabama, establishing a career high.
The Broncos return five players from last year's roster and welcome nine newcomers, including four transfers and five freshmen. Junior Alli Harness and senior Nile Muguira Orbe also return to provide experience in the backcourt, while graduate student Morasha Wiggins returns after missing last season with an injury.
Western Michigan opens the season Monday at home against Coastal Carolina in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
11. Akron
The Zips enter the 2026-27 campaign looking to rebound after finishing 7-24 overall and 4-14 in MAC play last season. Akron was selected 11th in the preseason coaches poll with 27 points.
Head Coach Ryan Gensler welcomes a roster featuring several newcomers and experienced transfers. Senior forward Macey Fegan headlines the group after spending the previous two seasons at Cleveland State, where she appeared in 73 games and averaged 7.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest.
Graduate student guards Jazzy Owens-Barnett and Kam'Ren Rhodes also bring collegiate experience to the backcourt after previous stops at North Texas/Rice and Illinois, respectively. Senior forward Jessie Joaquim and junior guard Tyla Heard provide additional experience as the Zips look to improve on last season's results.
Akron opens the season Monday at home against South Alabama in the MAC-SBC Challenge before beginning a challenging nonconference schedule that includes road contests at Louisville and Ohio State.
12. Buffalo
Buffalo enters the 2026-27 season looking to take a step forward with a young roster after finishing 3-27 overall and 1-17 in conference play last season. The Bulls were selected 12th in the preseason coaches poll with 19 points.
The Bulls return six players from last year's team and welcome nine newcomers. Sophomore guard Aniya Rowe headlines the returners after earning MAC All-Freshman Team honors last season. Rowe averaged 12.6 points, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game while starting all 30 contests.
Sophomore forward Meg Lucas also returns after averaging 9.9 points and a team-best 9.6 rebounds per game. Lucas recorded nine double-doubles during her freshman season and established a program Division I freshman single-season record with her rebounding average.
Head Coach Kristen Sharkey's roster features 13 underclassmen, making Buffalo one of the youngest teams in the conference. The Bulls open the season Monday at home against Georgia State in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
