A look at the Mid-American Conference in predicted order of finish:
EAST DIVISION
Kent
• Coach: Gary Waters (45-42, fourth year; same overall).
• Key player: John Whorton, 6-foot-8 senior center. A rugged customer who averaged 12.8 points and 6.2 rebounds, Whorton may get the opportunity to score more as a senior.
• Outlook: Although Kent isn’t as flashy as some of its counterparts, it’s a defensive menace nobody wants to play. The Golden Flashes no longer have their best man defender, Ed Norvell, but most of the success comes from a team approach.
Akron
• Coach: Dan Hipsher (46-60, fifth year; 172-105, 11th overall).
• Key player: Jami Bosley, 6-1 senior guard. There wasn’t an area of the game he left undiscovered last season: 18.6 points a game, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, .861 free throw shooting, .418 3-point shooting.
• Outlook: The Zips can score points, but part of the game is stopping the other guys. In their nine losses, opponents averaged 80.8 points and only 12 turnovers.
Marshall
• Coach: Greg White (47-36, fourth year; 166-190, 14th overall).
• Key player: J.R. VanHoose, 6-9 sophomore forward. VanHoose could have played in the SEC or Big East, and he proved why with averages of 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds as a rookie.
• Outlook: VanHoose may be the best player in the league this season and could carry the Thundering Herd.
Miami
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Bowling Green
• Coach: Dan Dakich (28-26, third year; same overall).
• Key player: Anthony Stacey, 6-4 senior forward. Stacey led the Falcons in rebounding — to go along with points, steals and 3-pointers.
• Outlook: Bowling Green showed it was beginning to figure itself out with a win and a close loss against Miami near the close of last season. It needs Stacey at his best more often to be a title contender, though.
Ohio
• Coach: Larry Hunter (165-124, 11th year; 470-200, 24th overall).
• Key player: Shaun Stonerook, 6-8 senior forward. A transfer from Ohio State, Stonerook was an imposing presence for the Bobcats in the post.
• Outlook: Ohio’s powerful inside game will be even stronger with former Withrow star Brandon Hunter contributing his frontcourt muscle. The Bobcats may have a tough time replacing guard LaDrell Whitehead.
Buffalo
• Coach: Tim Cohane (78-90, seventh year; 222-235, 18th overall).
• Key player: Louis Campbell, 6-2 junior guard. Campbell had trouble with consistency.
• Outlook: The Bulls still aren’t ready to compete in this division.
WEST DIVISION
Toledo
• Coach: Stan Joplin (47-35, fourth year; same overall).
• Key player: Greg Stempin, 6-8 junior forward. Stempin had only four games outside double figures last season and recorded eight double-doubles.
• Outlook: Although still a young team, Toledo is the deepest and most talented outfit in the weaker MAC West.
Ball State
• Coach: Ray McCallum (104-67, seventh year; same overall).
• Key player: Duane Clemens, senior guard. Although he shot twice as often as any of his teammates, Clemens only hit .379 from the field.
• Outlook: The Cards lost six of their final nine games last season as they struggled to rebound the ball. The addition of 6-8 forward Theron Smith could be as important as any personnel move in the league.
Western Michigan
• Coach: Bob Donewald (141-137, 11th year; 349-258, 22nd overall).
• Key player: Tony Barksdale, senior. With two of the Broncos’ top four scorers gone, Barksdale’s perimeter-based game becomes a greater focus. He averaged 21.3 points in the final seven games last season.
• Outlook: In a division in which the talent is relatively even, Donewald’s defensive acumen can make a significant difference.
Northern Illinois
• Coach: Brian Hammel (103-117, ninth year; 194-187, 15th overall).
• Key player: T.J. Lux, 6-9 senior center. Lux missed most of last season with shin splints but had been the league’s best inside player. He is one of the few players in the league who can overpower opponents in the lane.
• Outlook: Lux’s return does not solve every problem, but without him, the Huskies could find no means of scoring. With Lux drawing the defense inside, there may be more room for guards Mike Brown and Rey Jones to shoot.
Central Michigan
• Coach: Jay Smith (15-37, third year; 38-43, fourth overall).
• Key player: Mike Manciel, 6-5 sophomore forward. Manciel was an impressively complete player for a freshman. He averaged 17.5 points and 6.4 rebounds but struggled with turnovers.
• Outlook: The Chippewas are making gradual progress, from doormat to factor and now, maybe, to contender. They burned out near the close of last season, though.
Eastern Michigan
• Coach: Milton Barnes (47-40, fourth year; same overall).
• Key player: Calvin Warner, 6-7 sophomore forward. Warner was a consistent producer on a team that never could develop a consistent attack.
• Outlook: Barnes has proven he can coach good players but now has to show he can find and sign them. EMU has suffered from the emergence of Detroit as a regional, mid-major power.
