CLEVELAND, Ohio – Most of the selections to the All-MAC First Team were no-brainers.

NIU’s Marcus Smallwood might have seemed a surprise selection for the team, as he is not even his team’s leading scorer with a 13.3 points-per-game average, but not to players and coaches around the league.

“Marcus is such a hard worker,” Miami (Ohio) coach Charlie Coles said. “He was probably the surprise pick, but he’d be a guy I would pick. I think other people were like, ‘What?,’ but I wasn’t surprised; he gives effort and rebounds.”

In Miami’s overtime loss to Ohio in the first-round of the MAC Tournament, the RedHawks were unable to secure a rebound in the closing seconds, costing them the game.

“If we had Smallwood out there, Brandon [Hunter] doesn’t get that rebound,” Coles said.

The 6-foot-6 forward averaged a double-double for the season with 13.3 points and 10.1 rebounds a game.

He was No. 4 in field goal percentage in the MAC at .548, and finished second in blocks with 1.35, only behind Central Michigan’s 7-foot Chris Kaman.

NIU coach Rob Judson referred to Smallwood as “the warrior” throughout the year and said Smallwood’s effort was nothing short of spectacular.

Chris Kaman, Central Michigan:

Should I stay or should I go? This has been going through Kaman’s mind all year as he decides whether or not to enter this summer’s NBA Draft.

There weren’t many players this season who got more recognition than Kaman, and for good reason. He was recognized as MAC Player of the Year and MAC Defensive Player of the Year.

The 7-foot center averaged 22.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.31 blocks per game, all good for first or second in the conference. He has been projected as a top-10 pick if he declares for the NBA Draft this year.

“I’ve never seen a player that has improved more in one year than him,” Judson said.

For now, Kaman focuses on helping his team advance in the NCAA Tournament. The Chippewas are in the Big Dance for the first time since 1987, and are paired up against fellow mid-major Creighton in the first round, which tips off today.

Antonio Gates, Kent State:

After Kent State’s first-round win over Marshall, Gates walked into the press conference with an ice pack over his right eye.

It required five stitches to patch up, and KSU coach Jim Christian hoped Gates would be able to play the next day.

Trying to lead his team back to the NCAA Tournament, where it reached the Elite Eight a year ago, Gates scored 20 points in a 77-67 loss to the Chippewas.

“We put a lot of confidence in him and a lot of trust in his experience and ability to make people better,” Christian said. “He’s a very special player, and I’m fortunate to have him on our team.”

Gates is the toughest man in the conference to defend, Coles said.

The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 20.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.03 assists throughout the season.

“He has the best combo of size, strength and finesse in our league,” Judson said of Gates.

Brandon Hunter, Ohio:

In the MAC Tournament, Ohio’s Brandon Hunter lived up to the hype that has surrounded him for more than a year now.

Hunter and the 11th seeded Bobcats not only beat high-scoring Akron in the first round, but also broke RedHawks’ fans hearts in Cleveland.

The team was predicted to win the MAC East Division before the year started, but injuries plagued the team all season, leaving spectators questioning Hunter’s ability.

However, the 6-foot-7 Hunter led the NCAA in rebounding at 12.6 boards a game, en route to his third All-MAC First Team selection. He joins Ohio graduate Gary Trent and Miami graduate Ron Harper as the only MAC players to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds for their careers.

“The double and triple team that he draws make the offense go,” Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said. “He’s received some criticism in the past about the team not doing well; he’s expected to be Superman. He’s leaving a legacy that I think he’s going to go down, for staying four years, graduating on time and being such a leader as a senior; he’s leaving quite a legacy at Ohio.”

Chris Williams, Ball State:

After beating Kansas and UCLA early last season, the world saw what Ball State was capable of.

The team was predicted first in the West, but eventually lost leading scorer Theron Smith for the year, making senior guard Chris Williams handle the bulk of the scoring load.

Williams responded, leading the conference in scoring with 24.5 points a game.

“Instant scoring; he’s a scoring machine,” Judson said.

A transfer from Loyola (Chicago) after his sophomore year, Williams is the only first-team member whose team failed to qualify for quarterfinals in Cleveland.