Mid-American Conference Tournament Betting Advice and Analysis

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Mid-American Conference Tournament Betting Advice and Analysis
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Last year, the Ohio Bobcats won the Mid-America Conference tournament championship to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Led by Jason Preston, the Bobcats made the most of their opportunity by upsetting No. 4-seed Virginia in the first round.

How the MAC Shapes Up This Year

Preston is in the NBA now, but Ohio is still one of the betting favorites to win this year’s MAC tournament.

The Bobcats’ best odds can be found at DraftKings Sportsbook at +400.

Toledo is the favorite at +125 at BetMGM Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook, while Kent State is at +550 on FanDuel.

Expect points in Toledo games. The Rockets have the seventh-highest scoring offense in the country, averaging 80.7 points per game. Their offense also ranks 31 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings. Toledo has the luxury of getting essentially a bye in the eight-team bracket by facing Central Michigan, who is one of the worst teams in college basketball.

I only see five teams having a legitimate shot to contend in this tournament. In addition to Toledo, Ohio and Kent State, Buffalo (+650 BetMGM Sportsbook) has a veteran roster and Akron (+1200 DraftKings) has won five straight to close the regular season.

Best Bet

Kent State +550 FanDuel

No team in the MAC is hotter than Kent State. The Golden Flashes have won 12 consecutive games and own a regular-season sweep over the favorite, Toledo.

In the two wins over the high-scoring Rockets, Kent State held Toledo to 63 and 59 points – well below the Rockets’ season average of 80.7. Toledo converted on 49% of its shots during the season but made just 34% and 35% in the two losses to Kent State.

The Golden Flashes also have one of the premier talents in the MAC. Sincere Carry was named the MAC Player of the Year after averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 assists and making 36% of his 3-point attempts.

Kent State’s 93-82 win over Ball State on Feb. 22 highlighted Carry’s explosive offensive talents. He scored 42 points and made 10 of 16 attempts from beyond the arc.

Carry is good enough to carry the Golden Flashes to the title game, and the team has shown it has the defensive capability to slow down Toledo’s efficient offense.

At +550 on FanDuel Sportsbook, Kent State is one of the best futures to make in the MAC.