MAC this and MAC that. It seems like every time you open up Sports Illustrated or tune into SportsCenter somebody is talking about the MAC.

Five MAC football teams received bowl bids. Former Miami-Ohio quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was the ‘it’ guy in the NFL up until two weeks ago.

This is the time for all MAC sports to ride this wave of hype, and bolster their programs.

Unfortunately, MAC basketball seems to have forgotten its surf board.

Who are these guys? Can you name any of the top five scorers in the MAC right now?

Let’s face it. There is more enthusiasm for high school basketball than for MAC basketball right now.

And why should there be? The MAC hasn’t won a big game in years.

Toledo played No. 2 Duke and lost 82-54. Ball State tried to play with then-No. 8 Kentucky in the beginning of the season and never got a sniff at the lead; losing 73-53.

Following the Cinderella season two years ago, MAC football was a frequent scene on ESPN this past season. A huge change from a few years ago when a MAC school was featured once every seven years. And the recruits are noticing.

Get the hint basketball? Wrestling is. MAC wrestling has caught on and now has two teams ranked in the top 25. Or in other words, two more than basketball has had in a while.

The only way you are going to start filling your arenas is by winning.

It’s a simple fact of sports. Fans love winning teams. And there aren’t any in the MAC. Sure there are teams with winning records, but there are no teams that can go far in the NCAA tournament a month from now.

If MAC basketball wants to get on the map they better start winning and winning the big games.

Right now it’s there for the taking. It’s who wants to be the next Gonzaga. Knock off a few teams during March Madness and welcome to the nation. Continue to lose every big game and continue to be sports writers’ punch lines.

That is if they are even worthy of that.