The 2016–17 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2016, followed by the start of the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2017 and concluded in March 2017. Akron won the regular season title with a conference record of 14–4 over a cluster of four teams tied at 11–7. Sixth-seeded Kent State upset Akron in the MAC tournament final and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they lost to UCLA in the first round.

Preseason awards The preseason poll and league awards were announced by the league office on October 28, 2016.

Preseason men's basketball poll (First place votes in parentheses)

East Division Akron 194 (15) Ohio 190 (16) Buffalo 144 (5) Kent State 116 Bowling Green 63 Miami 49

West Division Eastern Michigan 178 (16) Ball State 158 (12) Northern Illinois 148 (5) Toledo 100 (1) Western Michigan 95 Central Michigan 77 (2)

Tournament champs Akron (15), Ohio (11), Eastern Michigan (3), Buffalo (2), NIU (2), Central Michigan (1), Kent State (1), Miami (1).

Honors

Honor Recipient Preseason All-MAC EastIsaiah Johnson, Sr., C, AkronBlake Hamilton, Sr., W, BuffaloJimmy Hall, Sr., F, Kent StateAntonio Campbell, Sr., F, OhioJaaron Simmons, Jr., G, Ohio Preseason All-MAC WestFranko House, Sr., F, Ball StateJames Thompson IV, So., F/C, Eastern MichiganMarin Maric, Sr., C, Northern IllinoisJonathan Williams, Sr., G, ToledoThomas Wilder, Jr., G, Western Michigan

Postseason

Mid–American tournament

NCAA tournament

Postseason awards

Coach of the Year: Keith Dambrot, Akron Player of the Year: Isaiah Johnson, Akron Freshman of the Year: Michael Weathers, Miami Defensive Player of the Year: Dontay Caruthers, Buffalo Sixth Man of the Year: Nick Perkins, Buffalo

Honors

Honor Recipient Postseason All-MAC First TeamIsaiah Johnson, C, Akron, SeniorMarcus Keene, G, Central Michigan, JuniorJimmy Hall, F, Kent State, SeniorJaaron Simmons, G, Ohio, JuniorThomas Wilder, G, Western Michigan, Senior Postseason All-MAC Second TeamKwan Cheatham Jr., F, Akron, SeniorTayler Persons, G, Ball State, SophomoreBlake Hamilton, Wing, Buffalo, SeniorJames Thompson IV, F, Eastern Michigan, SophomoreSteve Taylor Jr., F, Toledo, Senior Postseason All-MAC Third TeamFranko House, F, Ball State, SeniorBraylon Rayson, G, Central Michigan, SeniorMarin Maric, C, Northern Illinois, SeniorJonathan Williams, G, Toledo, SeniorTucker Haymond, F, Western Michigan, Senior Postseason All-MAC Honorable MentionAntino Jackson, G, Akron, JuniorZack Denny, G, Bowling Green, SeniorC.J. Massinburg, G, Buffalo, SophomoreMichael Weathers, G, Miami, FreshmanJordan Dartis, G, Ohio, Sophomore All-MAC Freshman TeamMichael Weathers, G, MiamiJason Carter, F, OhioReggie Jones, G, Western MichiganDylan Frye, G, Bowling GreenEugene German, G, Northern Illinois All-MAC Defensive TeamTrey Moses, C, Ball State, SophomoreZack Denny, G, Bowling Green, SeniorDontay Caruthers, G, Buffalo, SophomoreTim Bond, G/F, Eastern Michigan, JuniorDeon Edwin, F, Kent State, Senior

See also 2016–17 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season

References