Bobcats hang on at home, Zips fall on the road
Saturday, January 26th, 2008The first two games of cross-divisional play in the MAC are in the books, and already the MAC is screwing up my thoughts on the MAC East vs. the MAC West. Ohio hosted Ball State and trailed 35-23 at the half, but Tim O’Shea’s club had enough to comeback and win 61-59. Meanwhile Akron visited Mount Pleasant, but nothing pleasant results for the Zips. Central Michigan out-shot and out-rebounded the Zips to hold on for a 65-64 win.
In the short term, the win helps Kent State, Ohio and Bowling Green in the MAC East and obviously helps CMU in the MAC West. The updated MAC basketball standings show Ohio and Akron tied in the MAC East, but the loss by Akron hurts Ohio & Kent State as well as Akron. With the RPI being a factor for the NCAA Tournament selection committee, The Zips are sure to fall from #71 with a loss to the #194 Chippewas. Kent State (RPI #33) and Ohio (RPI #36) will surely take a slight RPI hit as well as both teams benefit from the MAC East rivals playing a strong schedule with solid results.