March in Cleveland is usually gray, cold, and a little bit gritty. But inside Rocket Arena, things were heating up for the 2025 MAC basketball tournament. Honestly, if you aren't watching MACtion, you’re missing the purest form of college hoops. No massive NIL bidding wars. Just high-stakes basketball where one bad night means your season is basically over.
This year felt different. There was this heavy sense of "now or never" for some of the league's biggest names. We saw powerhouse programs reminded of how fragile a top seed can be, while others cemented their legacies in the rafters.
Akron’s Gut-Check Run to the Title
Let's talk about the Zips. Akron came into the 2025 MAC basketball tournament with a massive target on their backs. They were the top seed, finishing the regular season 17-1 in the conference. That kind of dominance usually leads to a blowout, right? Not in this league.
Coach John Groce has built something special in Akron, but they had to sweat for this one. After steamrolling Bowling Green in the quarterfinals, they ran into a Toledo team in the semis that just wouldn’t quit. Akron eventually put up 100 points in that semifinal—a literal track meet on hardwood.
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The final against Miami (OH) was a different beast entirely. It was ugly. It was physical. Miami has been on the rise, and they pushed the Zips to the absolute limit. Nate Johnson, who took home the MVP honors, hit the kind of shots that kids practice in their driveways. Akron walked away with a 76-74 victory, clinching their sixth tournament title and a ticket to the Big Dance.
Why the Zips Won
- Depth. When Nate Johnson wasn't cooking, Tavari Johnson was.
- Experience. This team doesn't panic when they're down by five with two minutes left.
- Defense. They held Miami to tough looks in the closing seconds of the final.
Ball State Women Break the Drought
While the men's side was about a favorite holding court, the women's side of the 2025 MAC basketball tournament felt like a long-overdue coronation. Ball State hadn't touched that trophy since 2009. That’s a long time to wait.
They entered as the No. 1 seed and played like they had something to prove. After dispatching Western Michigan and Kent State, they faced a familiar foe in the championship: Toledo.
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The first half was rough. Ball State looked tight, trailing 24-21 at the break. Then, Alex Richard happened. She scored 28 points, with 24 of those coming in a second-half explosion that left the Rockets reeling. Ally Becki, the senior leader and tournament MVP, was the glue that held it all together. Watching her celebrate at mid-court after the 65-58 win? That's what March is actually about.
The All-Tournament Standouts
You can't talk about the women's bracket without mentioning Chellia Watson from Buffalo. Even though her team didn't make the final, she was easily one of the most electric players on the floor. Toledo’s Khera Goss and Sammi Mikonowicz also earned spots on the All-Tournament team, proving that the Rockets are going to be a problem for years to come.
The Cleveland Atmosphere
Rocket Arena has hosted this thing for 25 consecutive years. Think about that. There is a generation of fans in Ohio and Michigan who grew up coming to this specific building every March.
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The attendance for the men's championship hit over 7,000, and the energy was honestly better than some NBA games I've been to. When you have local legends like LeBron James and Donovan Mitchell tweeting out congratulations to the Zips, you know the stakes are real.
The MAC isn't a "power conference," but the 2025 iteration of this tournament proved the gap is closing. Akron earned a 13-seed in the NCAA Tournament, which says a lot about how the selection committee viewed the strength of the league this year.
What This Means for 2026
If you're a fan of these schools, the landscape is shifting. We’re seeing more parity than ever. Toledo is tired of being the bridesmaid. Miami (OH) is officially back in the conversation. And Ball State? They’ve set a new standard for the women's side.
If you’re planning on heading to Cleveland next year, get your tickets early. The 2025 MAC basketball tournament was a masterclass in mid-major drama, and there's no reason to think 2026 won't be even wilder.
Practical Tips for the Offseason
- Watch the Transfer Portal. With Akron and Ball State losing key seniors, keep an eye on who they bring in to fill those gaps.
- Check Recruiting Classes. Miami (OH) has some young talent coming in that could flip the standings next winter.
- Support Local. If you're near these campuses, get to a regular-season game. The atmosphere in Muncie or Akron is top-tier.