Amanda Knapp
Western Michigan University's men's basketball team, the Broncos, compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), a collegiate athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region. The Mid-American Conference includes 12 full member schools, nine of which are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, and New York. Western Michigan University joined the MAC in 1948, along with Miami University, replacing Wayne University and the University of Cincinnati.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the conference | Mid-American Conference (MAC) |
| Year of announcement | 2025 |
| Location | Great Lakes region (from Western New York to Illinois) |
| Members | 12 full member schools (9 in Ohio and Michigan, 1 each in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, and New York) |
| Headquarters | Public Square district in downtown Cleveland, Ohio |
| Member schools | Western Michigan University, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Ohio University, Butler University, University of Cincinnati, Wayne University (now Wayne State University), Western Reserve University, University of Toledo, Kent State University, Bowling Green State University, Marshall University |
| Competitions | Michigan MAC Trophy, NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, National Invitational Tournaments (NIT), College Basketball Invitational (CBI), CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) |
| Television coverage | ESPN, WIPB, WNDY, WPTA, WHME, WTVW, WYIN, Comcast, Ball State Sports Link, WCRD, Ball State Radio Network (WLBC-FM and Backyard Broadcasting), Comcast SportsNet Chicago |
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What You'll Learn
Western Michigan Broncos basketball team
The Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team represents Western Michigan University, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The team competes in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), alongside rivals such as Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, and Central Michigan.
Coached by Dwayne Stephens, the Broncos have enjoyed some success in recent years, including a memorable 64-63 victory over Bowling Green in a Mid-American Conference regular-season finale. The team has also made appearances in several prestigious tournaments, such as the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the National Invitational Tournaments (NIT), and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).
The Western Michigan Broncos have a rich history in college basketball and have produced some notable players over the years. One of the team's most famous alumni is Ben Handlogten, who holds the record for the highest single-game field goal percentage, scoring an impressive 100% (13-13) against Toledo in 1996. Another standout performer is David Kool, who achieved the fourth-highest single-season free throw percentage by a freshman, with an impressive 91.7% (99-108) in the 2006-07 season.
The Broncos have a passionate fan base and are well-supported by the students and community of Western Michigan University. The team's colours are brown and gold, and their mascot is a mustang named "Western." Home games are played at the University Arena on campus, providing a lively atmosphere.
The Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team has a bright future, with a talented roster and dedicated coaching staff. They continue to strive for success, representing Western Michigan University with pride.
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Mid-American Conference (MAC)
The Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team competes in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Mid-American Conference is a collegiate athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region, stretching from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members located in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, and New York. The MAC is headquartered in the Public Square district in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, with two members in the nearby Akron area.
The Mid-American Conference ranks highest among all ten NCAA Division I FBS conferences for graduation rates. The MAC was founded in 1946 by five charter members: Ohio University, Butler University, the University of Cincinnati, Wayne University (now Wayne State University), and Western Reserve University, one of the predecessors to today's Case Western Reserve University. Wayne University left after the first year, and Miami University and Western Michigan University took their place for the 1948 season. The MAC added the University of Toledo in 1950, Kent State University in 1951, and Bowling Green State University in 1952.
The Mid-American Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments have been held in Cleveland since 2000, with the men's semi-finals and championship regularly drawing large crowds. While mid-week games have lower stadium attendance, they benefit from prominent national television coverage on ESPN, as opposed to airing on lesser-viewed channels or streaming platforms. Coaches say that midweek games are good for the conference and give players a break on Saturdays.
In addition to competing in the MAC, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan compete for the Michigan MAC Trophy, awarded annually to the team with the best head-to-head record. Western Michigan has dominated this trophy in recent years, winning three straight years (2018-2020) and six of seven years from 2014 to 2020.
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Michigan MAC Trophy
The Michigan MAC Trophy was created in 2005 by the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. There are two trophies: one for the winner of the football series and the other for the winner of the men's basketball series. The football trophy was first won by Central Michigan University in 2009, with Eastern Michigan University winning the previous two. Western Michigan University won the inaugural trophy for each sport. The universities have been competing together in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) since 1974, although Western Michigan joined the MAC in 1948.
The trophy is awarded to the Michigan-based MAC institution that achieves the best head-to-head record against each other in a particular season. It is one of the only two regularly awarded trophies between three teams, the other being the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Eastern Michigan University has claimed ownership of the football trophy five times (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2022). In 2024, Eastern Michigan University and Western Michigan University faced off in a highly anticipated game to determine the Michigan MAC Trophy winner, with both teams entering with identical records. Western Michigan University ultimately won the game and retained the trophy.
In men's basketball, Western Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University are rivals. The men's basketball trophy has been won by Western Michigan University on multiple occasions, including the inaugural trophy. Central Michigan University also won the men's basketball trophy in 2010, breaking Western Michigan University's streak of four consecutive wins.
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NCAA Division I
The Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team represents Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The team competes in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), a collegiate athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region, stretching from Western New York to Illinois.
MAC members compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I. Western Michigan joined the conference in 1948, along with Miami University, replacing charter members Wayne University and the University of Cincinnati.
The Mid-American Conference includes nine full member schools in Ohio and Michigan, with single members in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, and New York. The MAC is headquartered in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and has two members in the nearby Akron area.
Western Michigan's men's basketball team has had success within the MAC, winning the Michigan MAC Trophy eight times since its inception in 2005. The trophy is awarded to the best team among Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan each year.
The Broncos have appeared in four NCAA Division I tournaments, with a combined record of 2-4. They have also participated in other postseason tournaments, such as the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Michigan University is a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), a collegiate athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region.
Now, here is some information on the Cleveland Cavaliers:
The Cleveland Cavaliers, also known as the Cavs, are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team joined the NBA in 1970, and their original jersey colours were wine and gold. The first jerseys featured a feathered "C" in "Cavaliers", but the design changed in 1974 to a block lettering and checkerboard pattern. The gold shade shifted from yellowish to metallic in 1980, and the uniforms removed the checkerboard pattern. Minor tweaks to the numbers and lettering were made from 1997 to 1999, and in the 1999-2000 season, the Cavaliers opted for a cleaner look with blue and orange lines on the shorts.
The Cavaliers' home uniforms are typically white with "Cavaliers" in wine lettering and gold trim, while the player's name and numbers are in navy blue. The road uniforms are usually wine-coloured, with "Cleveland," the player's name, and numbers in white lettering with gold trim. An alternate jersey is navy blue, also featuring "Cleveland" and the player's name and numbers in white lettering with gold trim. The logo has evolved as well, initially featuring a swashbuckling cavalier, and later, a basketball dropping into a net surrounded by a black square.
The Cavaliers have experienced success on the court, winning their division and advancing to the playoffs on multiple occasions. In the 2021-22 season, they finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the NBA play-in tournament, marking their first postseason appearance since the 2017-18 season. They also clinched a spot in the 2023 NBA playoffs, signifying a return to the postseason after a brief absence.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Michigan University's basketball team competes in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
Nine out of twelve full members of the MAC are in Ohio and Michigan. The other three members are located in Illinois, Indiana, and Massachusetts. Some universities that are part of the MAC include Ohio University, Butler University, and Kent State University.
The Michigan MAC Trophy is awarded to the team with the best head-to-head record each year between Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan.
The MAC ranks highest among all ten NCAA Division I FBS conferences for graduation rates.
