The 2008–09 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2008, followed by the start of the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2009 and concluded in March 2009. Bowling Green and Buffalo shared the regular season title with a conference record of 11–5. Fifth-seeded Akron defeated Buffalo in the MAC tournament final and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Gonzaga.
Preseason awards The preseason poll was announced by the league office on October 30, 2008.
Preseason men's basketball poll (First place votes in parentheses)
East Division Kent State (16) 124 (6) 109 Bowling Green 70 Akron 67 Ohio 66 Buffalo 35
West Division Western Michigan (15) 122 Eastern Michigan (7) 105 Central Michigan 79 71 Ball State 55 Northern Illinois 39
Tournament champs Kent State (11), Miami (7), Bowling Green (2), Eastern Michigan (2)
Honors
Honor Recipient Preseason All-MAC EastNate Linhart, AkronNate Miller, Bowling GreenAl Fisher, Kent StateMichael Bramos, MiamiJerome Tillman, Ohio Preseason All-MAC WestAnthony Newell, Ball StateCarlos Medlock, Eastern MichiganDarion Anderson, Northern IllinoisTyrone Kent, ToledoDavid Kool, Western Michigan
Postseason
Mid–American tournament
NCAA tournament
Postseason awards
Coach of the Year: Louis Orr, Bowling Green Player of the Year: Michael Bramos, Miami Freshman of the Year: Jarrod Jones, Ball State Defensive Player of the Year: Nate Linhart, Akron Sixth Man of the Year: Brett McKnight, Akron
Honors
Honor Recipient Postseason All-MAC First TeamMichael Bramos, Miami, G/FAl Fisher, Kent State, GNate Miller, Bowling Green, FRodney Pierce, Buffalo, GJerome Tillman, Ohio, F Postseason All-MAC Second TeamDarion Anderson, Northern Illinois GBrandon Bowdry, Eastern Michigan FBrett McKnight, Akron, FTyrone Kent, Toledo, GDavid Kool, Western Michigan, G Postseason All-MAC Honorable MentionMike Allen, Ohio, GTyler Dierkers, Miami, FGreg Gamble, Buffalo, GJarrod Jones, Ball State, FBrandon Lampley, Ball State, GNate Linhart, Akron, FChris McKnight, Akron, FBrian Moten, Bowling Green, GChris Singletary, Kent State, G/FMarcus Van, Central Michigan, F/C All-MAC Freshman TeamAnthony Hitchens, Akron, GJarrod Jones, Ball State, FMike DiNunno, Northern Illinois, GSteven Coleman, Ohio, GFlenard Whitfield, Western Michigan, F
See also 2008–09 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season
References