Kristian Ferrell
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) men's basketball tournament is an NCAA Division I postseason single-elimination tournament. As of 2025, Ball State, Kent State, and Ohio have the most tournament championships with seven wins each. In 2025, Akron beat Miami (Ohio) to win the MAC tournament for the second year in a row.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tournament name | Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament |
| Tournament type | NCAA Division I postseason single-elimination tournament |
| Winner's qualification | Mid-American Conference (MAC) automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship |
| Number of teams participating | 8 |
| Venue | Rocket Arena, Cleveland |
| Year | 2025 |
| Winner | Akron |
| Runner-up | Miami (Ohio) |
| Final score | 76-74 |
| Player of the match | Nate Johnson |
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What You'll Learn
Akron beat Miami (Ohio) to win the 2025 MAC tournament
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) basketball tournament is an annual event, with the men's and women's tournaments taking place simultaneously. The 2025 MAC tournament saw the Akron men and Kent State women looking to defend their respective titles from the previous year.
In a closely fought competition, the Akron men's team emerged victorious once again, showcasing their dominance in the tournament. They faced a strong challenge from Miami (Ohio), but ultimately, their skill and determination propelled them to the championship title.
The road to the championship game was filled with intense competition for the Akron men's team. They navigated through a field of talented opponents, outplaying them with their strategic gameplay and unwavering teamwork. The team's success can be attributed to the dedication and talent of the players, as well as the strategic guidance of their coaching staff.
The 2025 MAC tournament was hosted in Cleveland, with the earlier rounds played at various venues before the semifinals and finals, which took place at Rocket Arena. Rocket Arena has been the traditional home of the MAC Tournament since 2000 and will continue to be so through at least 2030.
The MAC tournament holds significant importance as the winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. This adds an extra layer of intensity and competition to the games, as teams strive for the opportunity to represent their conference on a national stage.
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Akron's sixth Mid-American Conference Tournament title
The University of Akron's men's basketball team won its sixth Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament title on Saturday, March 15, 2025, defeating Miami (Ohio) 76-74. This victory also secured the team's seventh NCAA Tournament berth.
Redshirt junior Nate Johnson hit a buzzer-beating jump shot with just two seconds left on the clock to secure the win for top-seeded Akron, who came back from 18 points down to beat Miami (OH). Johnson, who was named MAC Player of the Year, finished the game with 22 points and five assists. Tavari Johnson added 15 points, hitting three of four from beyond the arc.
Akron's victory gave coach John Groce his fourth win in five meetings against his 10-years-younger half-brother, Miami coach Travis Steele. Their mother, Barbara Steele, watched the game wearing an Akron blue sweater while sitting in the Miami rooting section.
The Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament is an NCAA Division I postseason single-elimination tournament. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. The tournament has been held at Rocket Arena in Cleveland since 2000 and is scheduled to remain there through at least 2030.
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Ball State, Kent State and Ohio have the most tournament wins
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) basketball tournament has seen multiple teams dominate over the years and emerge as the most successful programs. Ball State, Kent State, and Ohio have distinguished themselves as frequent contenders and champions, accumulating notable achievements and leaving a lasting legacy in MAC history.
Ball State Cardinals, representing Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, experienced their most successful period from the 1970s to the 1990s. During this era, they became a force to be reckoned with in the Mid-American Conference. Their remarkable run culminated in winning a record seven MAC tournaments between 1981 and 2000. The 1990 season stands out as their most outstanding performance, as they not only won the MAC tournament but also advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, narrowly losing to the eventual national champions, UNLV Runnin' Rebels, 69-67.
The Cardinals' success in the 1990 season was unprecedented in MAC history. Under the leadership of coach Dick Hunsaker, they became the first team in the conference to win back-to-back MAC regular-season conference championships and conference tournament titles. This era solidified Ball State's reputation as a formidable opponent and set a standard for excellence in the conference.
Kent State Golden Flashes have also left their mark on the MAC tournament. Although specific details of their tournament wins are scarce, their performance in recent years indicates a strong presence in the conference. In 2025, Kent State's impressive showing in the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals placed them as a formidable contender. Led by Peter Suder, who scored 23 points, they defeated the second-seeded Miami (OH) team, showcasing their talent and determination.
Ohio has also established itself as a dominant force in the MAC basketball tournament, with their men's basketball team, the Ohio Bobcats, representing Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, achieving remarkable success. While specific details of their tournament wins are not readily available, their consistent presence and competitiveness in the conference cannot be overlooked. The Bobcats have likely experienced periods of dominance and may hold multiple tournament wins, contributing to their overall success in the MAC.
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The tournament has been held at Rocket Arena since 2000
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) men's and women's basketball tournaments have been held at the Rocket Arena, formerly known as Quicken Loans Arena and Gund Arena, in Cleveland, Ohio, since 2000. The venue is now called the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The MAC Tournament is an NCAA Division I postseason single-elimination tournament. The winner of the tournament receives the MAC automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.
The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has hosted eight men's and eight women's MAC teams annually for a four-day single-elimination tournament. The tournament was first played in 1980 and expanded to include all conference members in 2000. The tournament continued to involve all conference members through the 2020 edition, which was canceled in progress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MAC Tournament has been held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse through at least 2030. The previous agreement between the two sides was set to expire in 2023, but the Mid-American Conference announced an extension to continue holding its men's and women's basketball tournaments at the venue. The tournament is a staple of the March calendar in downtown Cleveland, with the 2024 tournament taking place in March.
The finals of the MAC Tournament are broadcast on ESPN2, while the semifinals are shown on the CBS Sports Network, and the quarterfinals are available for streaming on ESPN+. Ticket prices for the tournament games vary widely, with prices ranging from close to $10 per person to $1,206 for floor seats for the championship session.
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The tournament was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The 2020 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Basketball Tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament was called off on March 12, 2020, just a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The decision to cancel the tournament was made in consultation with the athletic directors and presidents of the MAC.
The 2020 MAC Tournament would have been the 82nd edition of the tournament, with the championship game concluding on April 6. The tournament was a single-elimination format, with 68 teams competing to become the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's college basketball national champion for the 2019-2020 season.
The cancellation of the 2020 MAC Basketball Tournament was part of a wider trend of sports events being cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NBA, for example, suspended its regular season after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert was diagnosed with COVID-19. The National Hockey League and Major League Soccer also suspended their seasons, and Major League Baseball cancelled spring training games and delayed the start of its season.
The MAC Basketball Tournament is an annual event, and it resumed again in 2021, with plans to continue hosting it at Rocket Arena in Cleveland through at least 2030.
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Frequently asked questions
Akron won the 2025 MAC basketball tournament, beating Miami 76-74.
Akron has won the MAC tournament championship seven times.
Nate Johnson was the MAC Player of the Year in 2025.
The MAC basketball tournament is the Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament, a postseason single-elimination tournament. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.
The top eight teams in conference play qualify for the tournament, with the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds receiving byes to the semifinals. Seeding is determined by winning percentage in conference play.
