The 2017–18 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2017, followed by the start of the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2018 and concluded in March 2018. Buffalo won the regular season title with a conference record of 15-3. Buffalo also won the MAC tournament and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they defeated No. 4-seeded Arizona in the first round before falling to Kentucky in the second round.
Preseason awards The preseason poll and league awards were announced by the league office on October 26, 2017.
Preseason men's basketball poll (First place votes in parentheses)
East Division Buffalo 166 (24) Kent State 139 (2) Ohio 127 (3) Akron 84 (1) Bowling Green 82 Miami 32
West Division Western Michigan 169 (22) Ball State 156 (8) Toledo 107 Eastern Michigan 103 Northern Illinois 57 Central Michigan 38
Tournament champs Western Michigan (10), Buffalo (9), Ball State (5), Kent State (2), Toledo (2), Bowling Green (1), Miami (1)
Honors
Honor Recipient Preseason All-MAC EastC.J. Massinburg, Buffalo, Jr., GuardNick Perkins, Buffalo, Jr., ForwardJaylin Walker, Kent State, Jr., GuardJordan Dartis, Ohio, Jr., GuardJason Carter, Ohio, So., Forward Preseason All-MAC WestJames Thompson IV, Eastern Michigan, Jr., Forward/CenterThomas Wilder, Western Michigan, Sr., GuardTayler Persons, Ball State, Jr., GuardJaelan Sanford, Toledo, Jr., GuardEugene German, Northern Illinois, So., Guard
Postseason
Mid–American tournament
NCAA tournament
Postseason awards
Coach of the Year: Nate Oats, Buffalo Player of the Year: Tre’Shaun Fletcher, Toledo Freshman of the Year: Nike Sibande, Miami Defensive Player of the Year: Tim Bond, Eastern Michigan Sixth Man of the Year: Nick Perkins, Buffalo
Honors Honor Recipient Postseason All-MAC First TeamTre’Shaun Fletcher, Sr., G, ToledoC.J. Massinburg, Jr., G, BuffaloNick Perkins, Jr., F, BuffaloJames Thompson IV, Jr., F/C, Eastern MichiganThomas Wilder, Sr., G, Western Michigan Postseason All-MAC Second TeamEugene German, So., G, Northern IllinoisJeremy Harris, Jr., G, BuffaloTayler Persons, Jr., G, Ball StateJaelan Sanford, Jr., G, ToledoDemajeo Wiggins, Jr., F, Bowling Green Postseason All-MAC Third TeamWes Clark, Sr., G, BuffaloElijah Minnie, R-Jr., F, Eastern MichiganTrey Moses, Jr., C, Ball StateDarrian Ringo, Jr., G, MiamiJaylin Walker, Jr., G, Kent State Postseason All-MAC Honorable MentionJordan Dartis, Jr., G, OhioDaniel Utomi, So., F, AkronJustin Turner, R-Fr., G, Bowling GreenNike Sibande, Fr., G, MiamiPaul Jackson, R-Jr., G, Eastern Michigan All-MAC Freshman TeamDalonte Brown, Fr., F, MiamiMarreon Jackson, Fr., G, ToledoTeyvion Kirk, Fr., G, OhioNike Sibande, Fr., G, MiamiJustin Turner, R-Fr., G, Bowling Green All-MAC Defensive TeamTim Bond, Sr., G, Eastern MichiganDavonta Jordan, So., G, BuffaloBryce Moore, Jr., G, Western MichiganDarrian Ringo, Jr., G, MiamiJames Thompson IV, Jr., F/C, Eastern Michigan
See also 2017–18 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season
References