The 2016–17 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season began with practices in October 2016, followed by the start of the 2016–17 NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2017 and concluded in March 2017. Central Michigan won the regular season title with a record of 15–3 by one game over Ball State. Larissa Lurken of Kent State was named MAC Player of the Year.

Sixth-seeded Toledo won the MAC tournament by beating fourth-seeded Northern Illinois in the final. Toledo was placed as the #10 seed in the Stockton Region of the NCAA tournament. They lost to Creighton. Central Michigan, Ball State, Kent State, Ohio, and Northern Illinois all qualified for the WNIT.

Preseason awards The preseason coaches' poll and league awards were announced by the league office on October 27, 2016.

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

East Division Ohio (9) 69 Buffalo (3) 60 Akron 48 Bowling Green 30 Miami 27 Kent State 18

West Division Central Michigan (12) 72 Ball State 53 Toledo 53 Western Michigan 34 Northern Illinois 25 Eastern Michigan 15

Regular season champion Central Michigan (6), Ohio (5), Buffalo (1)

Tournament champs Central Michigan (7), Ohio (4), Buffalo (1)

Honors

Honor Recipient Preseason All-MAC EastJordan Korinek, Kent StateQuiera Lampkins, OhioHannah Plybon, AkronStephanie Reid, BuffaloJoAnna Smith, Buffalo Preseason All-MAC WestJay-Ann Bravo-Harriott, ToledoPresley Hudson, Central MichiganAlly Lehman, Northern IllinoisJanice Monakana, ToledoTinara Moore, Central Michigan

Postseason

Mid–American tournament

NCAA tournament

Women's National Invitational Tournament

Postseason awards

Coach of the Year: Todd Starkey, Kent State Player of the Year: Larissa Lurken, Kent State Freshman of the Year: Lauren Dickerson, Miami Defensive Player of the Year: Tinara Moore, Central Michigan Sixth Man of the Year: Destiny Washington, Ball State

Honors Honor Recipient Postseason All-MAC First TeamRenee Bennett, Ball StatePresley Hudson, Central MichiganTinara Moore, Central MichiganLarissa Lurken, Kent StateAlly Lehman, Northern Illinois Postseason All-MAC Second TeamMoriah Monaco, Ball StateJoAnna Smith, BuffaloJordan Korinek, Kent StateQuiera Lampkins, OhioJanice Monakana, Toledo Postseason All-MAC Third TeamJewel Cotton, Central MichiganReyna Frost, Central MichiganMikaela Boyd, ToledoJay-Ann Bravo-Harriott, ToledoBreanna Mobley, Western MichiganMeredith Shipman, Western Michigan Postseason All-MAC Honorable MentionHannah Plybon, AkronCarmen Grande, Ball State All-MAC Defensive Team Calyn Hosea, Ball StateStephanie Reid, BuffaloTinara Moore, Central MichiganJasmine Weatherspoon, OhioDeja Wimby, Western Michigan All-MAC Freshman TeamSummer Hemphill, BuffaloLauren Dickerson, MiamiJanae Poisson, Northern IllinoisAmani Burke, OhioMariella Santucci, Toledo

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

References