Akron has set the standard in the Mid-American Conference over the past two seasons, winning back-to-back MAC Tournament titles and capturing last year’s regular-season crown behind one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
This season, the Zips once again enter as the fan favorite — but the gap is smaller. Miami, Kent State, Ohio, Toledo, and UMass all return enough experience and add enough new talent to legitimately challenge for the MAC throne.
From Akron star Shammah Scott to Miami’s Kyle Waltz, Kent State’s Morgan Stafford, Ohio’s Jackson Paveletzke, and Toledo’s Sonny Wilson, the MAC features a deep group of players positioned to break out in the NIL landscape.
Below is RallyFuel’s official preview and rankings for the 2025-26 MAC men’s basketball season.
1. AKRON
Akron is coming off a 24-11 (13-5 MAC) season and an NCAA Tournament appearance — and the Zips look even more dangerous in 2025-26. After averaging 84 points per game last year, they opened this season by dropping 109 points on Penn State-Chenango with five players scoring in double figures.
Shammah Scott, last season’s MAC Sixth Man of the Year, steps into a full-time starting role and is expected to be the primary offensive engine. Akron also added two major transfers:
- Evan Mahaffey (Ohio State) — versatile two-way wing
- Cody Head (Arkansas) — high-upside scoring guard
Freshman forward Ognjen Stanovic (6-8, Serbia) gives the Zips frontcourt depth and a long-term building block.
NIL Outlook: Scott is the league’s top NIL earner and a clear first-team All-MAC candidate.
2. MIAMI UNIVERSITY
Miami is coming off a school-record 25-9 season and returns 10 players from that roster. But the biggest early-season storyline is the emergence of 6-7 freshman Kyle Waltz, who already looks like an all-conference force. He pairs with 6-10 freshman Tyler Robbins, giving the RedHawks one of the best young frontcourts in the MAC.
Guard Eian Elmer (11 PPG) is the top returning scorer and the experienced anchor of the backcourt.
NIL Outlook: Waltz is one of the top freshman NIL prospects in all mid-major college basketball.
3. OHIO
After a 16-16 season, Ohio looks primed to take a major step forward thanks to the return of four key contributors:
- Aidan Hadaway (Sr.)
- Ajay Sheldon (Sr.)
- Jackson Paveletzke (Sr.) — elite shot-maker
- Elijah Elliott (So.)
Ohio also added two impact transfers — Dior Conners (App State) and Jalen Breath (UNCG) — along with talented freshmen JJ Kelly, Zay Mosley, and Jordan Fisher.
NIL Outlook: Paveletzke is a top-five NIL earner in the conference and the Bobcats’ go-to creator.
4. KENT STATE
Kent State brings back eight players from a 24-12 roster.
Key returners include:
- Delerecco Gillispie (Sr., F) — 8.1 PPG and team-leading 8.1 RPG
- Cian Medley (Jr., G) — 141 assists last season
- Morgan Stafford (Gr.) — averaged 10.6 PPG before a season-ending injury
This veteran trio gives Kent State one of the MAC’s most balanced lineups.
NIL Outlook: Stafford is the Golden Flashes’ NIL headliner and a comeback-player-of-the-year candidate.
5. UMASS
UMass must replace star guard Rashool Diggins (16.8 PPG), but the Minutemen still have a strong returning core:
- Daniel Hankins-Sanford (Sr.) — 9.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG
- Dimitri Clerc (C) — 11.0 PPG
- Leonardo Bettiol (Abilene Christian transfer) — versatile forward ready to take on a larger scoring role
NIL Outlook: Hankins-Sanford is UMass’ top NIL candidate due to production and two-way ability.
6. TOLEDO
Toledo returns only one starter — but it’s a big one.
Sonny Wilson (Jr., G) averaged 15.3 PPG and 3.2 APG last season and returns as the MAC’s premier lead guard.
The rest of the lineup features an impressive transfer class:
- Austin Parks (Ohio State, C)
- Chris Riddle (DePaul, G)
- Kyler Vanderjagt (Central Michigan, G)
NIL Outlook: Wilson’s role and production make him a top NIL earner with pro-level visibility.
7. BALL STATE
Ball State underwent a massive roster overhaul, bringing in seven transfers and three freshmen.
Key additions include:
- Kayden Fish (Iowa State)
- Cam Denson (Long Beach State)
- Elmore James (Ohio)
- Devon Barnes (UTEP)
- Davion Hall (Florida State College) — high-upside JUCO scorer
This is one of the MAC’s most unpredictable rosters — but also one of the highest-ceiling ones.
NIL Outlook: Fish and Denson give Ball State two marketable transfer anchors.
8. BOWLING GREEN
BG returns only seven players — but early results are impressive. The Falcons opened 3-0 for the first time since 2014-15.
Top returner Javonte Campbell (14.9 PPG) has already recorded two 20-point games this season. Key newcomer Josiah Shackleford (Flagler transfer) provides scoring punch from the perimeter.
NIL Outlook: Campbell projects as a top-ten MAC NIL athlete.
9. EASTERN MICHIGAN
EMU (16-16, 9-9 MAC last season) must replace All-MAC performers Jalen Terry and Da’Sean Nelson.
New additions Mo Habhab (Central Michigan transfer) and Carlos Hart (Valdosta State transfer) stepped up early — Habhab recorded a double-double in the opener, while Hart added 14 points.
NIL Outlook: Habhab’s productivity gives him sleeper NIL appeal.
10. BUFFALO
Buffalo returns two major contributors:
- Ryan Sabol (14.4 PPG)
- Noah Batchelor (6.1 RPG)
Starters Tim Oboh and Omar Migues-Hibeljic also return, and transfers Kyle Jones (St. Thomas Aquinas) and Derrick Talton Jr. (Oklahoma Wesleyan) are expected to be in the rotation.
NIL Outlook: Sabol leads Buffalo’s NIL potential as a proven scorer.
11. WESTERN MICHIGAN
WMU replaces 86% of its scoring and will rely heavily on newcomers.
JUCO standout Jalen Griffith (Navarro College) brings instant offense, while redshirt junior Max Burton is expected to take on a significantly larger scoring and rebounding role.
NIL Outlook: Griffith is WMU’s most intriguing NIL piece.
12. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
New head coach Andy Bronkema oversees a completely rebuilt roster — 15 players, all newcomers.
Key transfers include:
- Phat Phat Brooks (Michigan)
- Logan McIntire (Kentucky Wesleyan)
- Rodney Johnson Jr. (Tennessee Tech)
Freshmen Jalen Kampen, Nskian Usen, and Uchenna Amene should all earn minutes immediately.
NIL Outlook: Brooks is the most likely breakout NIL name.
13. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Jacksonville State transfer Jao Tuka has been NIU’s best player early, providing scoring from the backcourt. Freshman center Gustav Winther (6-10, Denmark) is expected to be a day-one starter, along with Columbia transfer Gianni Cobb.
NIL Outlook: Tuka’s scoring makes him NIU’s most marketable athlete.
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