With MAC men’s basketball conference play a little more than halfway through and the NBA All-Star Game on the horizon, I decided to make my own MAC men’s basketball All-Star team. These players have not only been the best on their respective teams, but the best that the MAC has to offer.
NIU JUNIOR GUARD DAVID COIT
Coit is the cream of the crop in the MAC when it comes to outside shooting. His 3 three-point field goals per game lead the conference and ranks top-25 in the country. In terms of overall scoring, Coit ranks fourth in the MAC, averaging 19.2 points per game. On Nov. 25, Coit scored a career- high 34 points in a win over DePaul University.
In addition to being one of the most dangerous scorers in the conference, Coit also gets his teammates involved. The 5-foot-11-inch guard is averaging 3.4 assists per game, good for seventh in the conference.
EASTERN MICHIGAN JUNIOR GUARD TYSON ACUFF
After playing in the shadow of Cleveland Cavaliers 2023 draft pick Emoni Bates last season, Acuff has proven he is one of the MAC’s elite scorers this season. Sitting at 21.3 points per game, Acuff is one of just two players in the conference averaging over 20 points per game.
Acuff has eclipsed the 30 point mark four times this season and still ranks tied for 10th in the MAC in assists, averaging 2.8 per game. Acuff also plays 38.1 minutes per game to lead the MAC.
BOWLING GREEN STATE JUNIOR GUARD MARCUS HILL
After leading the NJCAA in points scored in 2022-23, the MAC newcomer is leading the conference in scoring, averaging 21.5 points per game. Hill is shooting 46.8% from the field and averaging 4.9 rebounds per game from the guard position.
Hill’s 35 points in an overtime win over Eastern Michigan on Jan. 2 are the most points in any game by a MAC player this year. After finishing in ninth place in the MAC in 2022-23 and missing out on last season’s MAC tournament, Hill has the Falcons in fourth place in the conference.
BALL STATE JUNIOR FORWARD BASHEER JIHAD
Jihad is a jack-of-all-trades for the Cardinals. His 19.3 points per game leads Ball State and ranks third in the conference, while his 7.7 rebounds per game is fourth best in the MAC. Jihad is a three-level scorer who can dominate inside, get to the free throw line and knock down the three-point shot.
Jihad leads the MAC with 5.6 free throws made per game and shoots an outstanding 38.5% from three-point range. The 6-foot-9-inch forward also averages 1.7 assists per game and 1 block per game.
AKRON SENIOR FORWARD ENRIQUE FREEMAN
The five-year veteran and four-year starter at Akron has consistently proven to be one of the MAC’s top players. Freeman is the only player in the MAC averaging a double-double, scoring 18.4 points per game (fifth in MAC) and grabbing 12.8 rebounds per game (first in MAC). Freeman is the only player in the conference averaging double digit rebounds.
Averaging 1.5 blocks and shooting a hyper efficient 59.2% from the field, Freeman is both the offensive and defensive leader of the MAC’s best team.
