Akron Battles Buffalo to Begin the MAC Tournament The University of Akron men’s basketball team will face the Buffalo Bulls in the first round of the 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m. at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The matchup marks the 80th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Akron holding a 46-33 series advantage. Head coach John Groce, who has led the Zips to a 194-93 record at Akron, will face Buffalo’s George Halcovage III, whose team has a 30-63 overall record. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Rhett Boyd calling the action, while fans can listen on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn. Live stats will be available on GoZips.com/coverage. Akron’s recent performance has positioned it as a strong contender in the tournament. The Zips entered the MAC Tournament with a 26-5 overall record and a 17-1 mark in conference play. Their dominance at home has been notable, highlighted by a 31-game winning streak at James A. Rhodes Arena, which they extended with a 94-55 victory over Northern Illinois on March 6. Akron’s offense was explosive, hitting 18 of 27 three-pointers, led by Bowen Hardman’s career-high 20 points. The team also excelled defensively, limiting Northern Illinois to just 19.2% shooting from beyond the arc and 37.9% overall. Five players scored in double figures, including Amani Lyles with 17 points and two steals, and Sharron Young, who added 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals. The Zips’ recent matchup against Buffalo was equally impressive. On February 24, Akron defeated the Bulls 99-85 at home, securing its 30th consecutive home win. Tavari Johnson led the way with 23 points, going 11-of-11 from the free-throw line, while Evan Mahaffey recorded a career-high 20 points and nine rebounds.#mac_tournament #buffalo_bulls #university_of_akron #john_groce #rocket_arena
Buffalo vs Akron Odds: Computer Models Strong ATS Pick The "Fat and Happy" PRO System is active for Thursday’s MAC Tournament matchup between No. 2 Akron and No. 7 Buffalo, with the game set for 4 p.m. ET. Market data shows Buffalo is listed at -13.5 points, with the total score projected at 160. Analysis of PRO’s Bet Labs backtested trends highlights the point spread as the clear play for this contest. Multiple factors align to support the same side in this matchup. The PRO Systems Predict section emphasizes the point spread as the key betting angle for Thursday’s game. College basketball predictions for the day also include BYU vs. Houston, Florida State vs. Duke, TCU vs. Kansas, Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M, and Xavier vs. UConn. These games are highlighted as top bets for the evening slate. The article notes that the Buffalo Bulls mascot is featured in the promotional content, with credit given to Brian Losness-Imagn Images. The focus remains on the statistical models and historical data used to inform betting decisions, with the Akron vs. Buffalo game serving as a central example of the system’s predictive approach.#mac_tournament #buffalo_bulls #akron #brian_losness_imagn_images #pro_system
Miami (Ohio) Athletic Director David Sayler Calls for Disclaimer on Bruce Pearl’s NCAA Tournament Comments Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Sayler has publicly criticized former Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, urging television networks to add a disclaimer when Pearl discusses NCAA Tournament eligibility. The dispute erupted after Pearl criticized Miami’s chances of making the postseason, suggesting the Redhawks must win their MAC tournament to qualify. Sayler, who has long advocated for mid-major programs, argued that Pearl’s remarks reflect bias and lack of objectivity. Pearl, appearing on TNT’s college basketball show, questioned Miami’s credentials, stating that the team’s lack of high-profile wins against ranked opponents makes it an unlikely candidate for at-large selection. “If we’re selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion,” Pearl said, emphasizing that the Redhawks are not among the nation’s elite. His comments sparked backlash, with many fans and analysts defending Miami’s season, which includes a perfect 30-0 record. Sayler, however, took issue with Pearl’s approach, particularly his use of the word “we” when discussing Auburn’s tournament prospects. “He shouldn’t be on a TV screen giving advice or opinions on the NCAA Tournament when he’s clearly biased,” Sayler told OutKick. “There should be a disclaimer on the bottom of the screen or something. That’s clearly what he’s doing.” The controversy gained traction as Pearl’s son, Steven, coaches Auburn’s struggling team, which is also on the NCAA Tournament bubble. While Pearl has publicly supported his son’s chances, critics argue his criticism of Miami may be influenced by Auburn’s own postseason struggles.#ncaa_tournament #mac_tournament #miami_ohio #david_sayler #bruce_pearl
Miami's undefeated regular season makes it an NCAA Tournament lock Miami University's 31-0 record in the regular season has solidified its place in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, as no Division I men's basketball team has ever missed the tournament after finishing its regular season undefeated. The RedHawks, led by coach Travis Steele, are guaranteed an at-large bid regardless of their performance in the MAC Tournament, with the selection committee facing immense pressure to include them if they fall short. Despite a strength of schedule ranking 344th nationally, Miami's undefeated run has been a dominant force in the MAC. The team's schedule, which included several high-profile matchups, was shaped by their consistent success, as returning four of the top five scorers from a 25-win season gave them an edge over other programs reluctant to face them. However, the low strength of schedule has sparked debate, with critics arguing it undermines their credentials. Yet, the RedHawks' perfect record remains a defining factor in their NCAA Tournament inclusion. Miami currently sits at No. 19 in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 rankings, with Duke holding the No. 1 spot for the 14th consecutive day. The Blue Devils, along with Michigan and Arizona, have already secured No. 1 seeds in the tournament. The fourth No. 1 seed is expected to be among Florida, UConn, Houston, or Michigan. The rankings section highlights individual performances from top teams, including Cameron Boozer's 26-point game for North Carolina State, Yaxel Lendeborg's 16-point effort for Iowa, and Jaden Bradley's 17-point contribution for Kansas. These stats reflect the competitive landscape as teams prepare for their final regular-season games.#miami_university #travis_steele #ncaa_tournament #mac_tournament #cbs_sports
