Toledo, WMU advance to MAC Tournament quarterfinals
The MAC men’s basketball tournament may have a new format in 2012, but that does not take anything away from the prize on the line - a berth into the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Two team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2012 MAC Tournament as both Toledo and Western Michigan both advanced in Cleveland on Wednesday night. The seeding held true in this round following Central Michigan and Northern Illinois’ opening round upsets, as #8 WMU earns a match-up with #4 Kent State and #7 Toledo will face #3 Ohio in the nightcap. #1 Akron and #2 Buffalo await the winners of the Thursday games with the NCAA Tournament dream in the backs of each player’s head.
#7 Western Michigan topped #12 Northern Illinois with ease in a 71-54 blowout to start the night on SportsTime Ohio. Mike Douglas paced the Broncos with 19 points and Flenard Whitfield’s foul trouble may be a blessing in disguise as he should remain fairly fresh for the game with Kent State after playing just 20 minutes due to foul trouble.
#7 Toledo improved to 18-15 on the year as Rian Pearson’s 20 points led all players in scoring en route to a 75-72 win over #11 seed Central Michigan. The Rockets held off CMU’s comeback bid and will face #3 Ohio in Thursday’s late game as they look to top the Bobcats (24-7) for the second time this season.
All-MAC Tournament Team Watch: Rian Pearson had 20 points, 15 boards and 2 steals to lead Toledo to the win after 21 pts, 13 reb and 2 steals against Miami. Outside of falling on his face against Ohio he may likely have a spot on the 2012 All-MAC Tournament Team.
VanDelay Sports is a MAC sports fan site covering MAC football & basketball online at VanDelaySports.com since 2000. A member of the MAC News Media Association, fans can follow on Twitter @VanDelaySports.
Tags: 2012 mac tournament, cmu basketball, mac basketball sportstime ohio, MAC Basketball Tournament, MAC Basketball Tournament scores, MAC Basketball Tournament updates, mac tournament, niu basketball, toledo basketball, Toledo Rockets, wmu basketball