It might be the most attention the MAC Basketball Tournament has ever received.
Miami (Ohio) enters the 2026 men’s tournament a perfect 31-0 on the season. While some have questioned the RedHawks’ strength of schedule and seemingly barely getting by some weaker foes, Miami enters the week projected to make the NCAA Tournament, regardless of how they fare this week.
If Miami is somehow upset, then that means there’s a good chance the MAC will qualify two teams for the NCAA Tournament. Whoever wins the MAC Tournament automatically qualifies for March Madness.
The men aren’t the only ones taking over Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio this week. The MAC women’s tournament is also taking place, starting on Wednesday, March 11. The men begin March 12, with semifinals and finals for both happening on the 13th and 14th, respectively. Miami (Ohio) enters as the top seed on the women’s side as well.
Here is the full tournament schedule, including broadcast information.
This page will be updated throughout the tournament, so check back daily for scores!
MAC men’s basketball tournament schedule, results
All times Eastern
Thursday, March 12 quarterfinals
No. 8 seed UMass 87, No. 1 seed Miami (Ohio) 83
Well, it happened. The RedHawks are unbeaten no more. After leading by double-digits in the second half, the Minutemen stormed back to upset the top-seeded team. Miami (Ohio) now enters Selection Sunday with a 31-1 record. UMass advances to the semifinals.
No. 4 seed Toledo 77, No. 5 seed Bowling Green 76
Leroy Blyden Jr. had 23 points to pace the Rockets past the Falcons. The game feature six ties and 10 lead changes.
No. 2 see Akron 73, No. 7 seed Buffalo 70
Tavari Johnson had 25 points as the Zips fended off an upset attempt from the Bulls to advance to the semifinals.
No. 3 seed Kent State 86, No. 6 seed Ohio 75
The Golden Flashes pulled away in the second half to win the game and advance. Delrecco Gillespie had 27 points and 8 rebounds to power Kent State.
Friday, March 13 semifinals
No. 4 seed Toledo 77, No. 8 seed UMass 67
The Rockets led most of the way, securing the victory to advance to the championship game. Sonny Wilson had 18 points to pace Toledo.
No. 2 seed Akron 75, No. 3 seed Kent State 68
Tavari Johnson and Shammah Scott had 18 points each to lead the Zips to a semifinal win.
Saturday March 14 championship
No. 2 seed Akron 79, No. 4 seed Toledo 76
Shammah Scott drained a ‘3’ with six seconds left to lift the Zips to a third-straight MAC championship. It was a fantastic game with multiple lead changes in the second half.
MAC women’s basketball tournament, results
Wednesday, March 11 first round
No. 1 seed Miami (Ohio) 65, No. 8 seed Kent State 58
The top-seeded RedHawks fought off a strong effort from the upset-minded Golden Flashes. Tamar Singer had 25 points and 7 assists in the win.
No. 5 seed Ohio 89, No. 4 seed Central Michigan 88
The Bobcats won a thriller in the day’s second game. Bailey Tabeling led Ohio with 33 points, going 12-of-19 from the field as well in win.
No. 2 seed Ball State 75, No. 7 seed Bowling Green 63
Much like in the day’s first game, the higher seed was on upset alert when BSGU cut it down to four in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals withheld the Falcons’ surge, though, to advance to the semifinals. Grace Kingery led BSU with 25 points, including 5-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.
No. 6 seed Toledo 67, No. 3 seed UMass 56
The sixth-seeded Rockets pulled off an upset in Friday’s final quarterfinal game by knocking off conference newcomer UMass. Patricia Anumgba led the way for Toledo with a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Ella Weaver and Kendall Carruthers added 16 points each.
Friday, March 13 semifinals
No. 1 seed Miami (Ohio) 80, No. 5 seed Ohio 52
The top-seeded RedHawks dominated their archrival in the MAC Tournament semifinals just six days after the Bobcats upset them in the regular season finale. Amber Scalia led Miami with 22 points on 8-for-16 field goal shooting and 5-for-7 3-point shooting, while Amber Tretter logged a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
No. 6 seed Toledo 69, No. 2 seed Ball State 65
The Rockets pulled a second upset in as many days, knocking out the second-seeded Cardinals. You can read more about the game here.
Saturday, March 14 championship
No. 1 seed Miami Ohio 68, No. 6 seed Toledo 58
Amber Tretter had 23 points as the top-seeded RedHawks clinched an NCAA Tournament spot with a win over the Rockets.
How to watch 2026 MAC basketball tournament
For the men’s tournament, all four first-round games are on ESPN+. The streaming platform is available through most major cable or streaming services; just use your login on that account to gain access to ESPN+. The men’s semifinal games then air on CBS Sports Network Friday, with the championship game to air on ESPN2.
Watch MAC basketball tournament
For the women, both the quarterfinals and semifinals will stream exclusively on ESPN+. The championship game Saturday morning will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: MAC basketball tournament 2026 schedules, results: Championship Saturday
Reporting by Austin Hough and Cade Hampton, USA TODAY NETWORK / Muncie Star Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
