The 2023–24 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season was the season for Mid-American Conference women's basketball teams. It began with practices in October 2023, followed by the start of the 2023–24 NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2024 and concluded in March 2024. The 2024 MAC tournament was held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio for the 24th consecutive season.[1]
2023–24 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season | |
---|---|
League | NCAA Division I |
Sport | Basketball |
Number of teams | 12 |
Regular season | |
League champions | Toledo |
Runners-up | Ball State |
Season MVP | Sophia Wiard |
2024 MAC tournament | |
Tournament | |
Champions | Kent State |
Runners-up | Buffalo |
Finals MVP | Katie Shumate |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | W | L | PCT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Toledo | 17 | – | 1 | .944 | 28 | – | 6 | .824 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ball State | 16 | – | 2 | .889 | 28 | – | 6 | .824 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kent State † | 13 | – | 5 | .722 | 21 | – | 12 | .636 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Buffalo | 10 | – | 8 | .556 | 19 | – | 14 | .576 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowling Green | 10 | – | 8 | .556 | 16 | – | 15 | .516 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northern Illinois | 8 | – | 10 | .444 | 15 | – | 16 | .484 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio | 8 | – | 10 | .444 | 11 | – | 19 | .367 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Western Michigan | 7 | – | 11 | .389 | 12 | – | 18 | .400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Miami (OH) | 6 | – | 12 | .333 | 9 | – | 20 | .310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Akron | 6 | – | 12 | .333 | 11 | – | 18 | .379 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Central Michigan | 4 | – | 14 | .222 | 6 | – | 22 | .214 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eastern Michigan | 3 | – | 15 | .167 | 7 | – | 22 | .241 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
† 2024 MAC tournament winner |
Toledo won the regular season championship with a 17–1 record[2] Sophia Wiard of Toledo won player of the year. In the 2024 MAC women's basketball tournament, Kent State defeated Northern Illinois, Ball State, and Buffalo to win their fourth MAC tournament title and first since 2002, and advance to the 2024 NCAA tournament. Katie Shumate was the tournament MVP.[3]
Head coaches
editCoaching changes
editAkron
editOn February 21, 2023 Akron announced that Melissa Jackson's contract would not be renewed at the end of the season.[4] On March 29, 2023, Illinois assistant Ryan Gensler was named as the next head coach.[5]
Bowling Green
editOn March 31, 2023, Robyn Fralick left the head coaching position at Bowling Green after a 31 win season to become the head coach at Michigan State[6] On April 8, 2023, South Carolina assistant Fred Chmiel was named as the new head coach.[7]
Central Michigan
editCentral Michigan fired Heather Oesterle on April 6, 2023, after win totals of four and six in her last two seasons.[8] On April 20, 2023, they hired Michigan State assistant coach Kristin Haynie who, like Oesterle, had been an assistant at Central Michigan under head coach Sue Guevara when she retired in 2019.[9]
Miami (OH)
editOn April 26, 2023 DeUnna Hendrix resigned after four seasons at Miami having posted a 35–80 record with the RedHawks after text messages led to allegations that she was in a relationship with a player.[10][11] On May 8, 2023, Indiana associate head coach Glenn Box was announced as the new head coach.[12]
Eastern Michigan
editOn December 11, 2023 Fred Castro was fired as Eastern Michigan's head coach after a 1–7 start. Assistant coach Ke'Sha Blanton was named as interim coach.[13]
Coaches
editTeam | Head coach | Previous job | Years at school | Overall record | School record | MAC record | MAC titles | MAC Tournament titles | NCAA Tournaments | NCAA Final Fours | NCAA Championships |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akron | Ryan Gensler | Illinois (Asst.) | 1 | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ball State | Brady Sallee | Eastern Illinois | 12 | 345–250 (.580) | 209–140 (.599) | 127–72 (.638) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Green | Fred Chmiel | South Carolina (Asst.) | 1 | 0–0 (–)† | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Buffalo | Becky Burke | USC Upstate | 2 | 125–71 (.638) | 12–16 (.429) | 7–11 (.389) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Central Michigan | Kristin Haynie | Michigan State (Asst.) | 1 | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eastern Michigan | Fred Castro | Washington (Asst.) | 8 | 79–121 (.395) | 79–121 (.395) | 40–84 (.323) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kent State | Todd Starkey | Indiana (Asst.) | 8 | 276–183 (.601) | 122–88 (.581) | 72–54 (.571) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Miami | Glenn Box | Indiana (Assoc HC.) | 1 | 64–31 (.674) | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Northern Illinois | Lisa Carlsen | Lewis | 9 | 303–286 (.514) | 119–122 (.494) | 69–77 (.473) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ohio | Bob Boldon | Youngstown State | 11 | 283–210 (.574) | 185–122 (.603) | 106–74 (.589) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Toledo | Tricia Cullop | Evansville | 16 | 448–273 (.621) | 325–163 (.666) | 177–87 (.670) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Western Michigan | Shane Clipfell | Michigan State (Assoc. HC) | 12 | 231–220 (.512) | 160–173 (.480) | 87–113 (.435) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notes:
- Appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only.
- Years at school includes 2023–24 season.
- MAC records are from time at current school only.
- All statistics and records are through the beginning of the season.
- †Chmiel's overall record does not include his coaching record at Feather River College and Lassen College because it is unknown to the author
Preseason
editThe preseason coaches' poll and league awards were announced by the league office on November 2, 2023.[14] Defending 2022–23 regular season champion Toledo was named the favorite.
Preseason women's basketball coaches poll
editPlace | Team | Points | First place votes |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Toledo | 121 | 11 |
2. | Ball State | 110 | 1 |
3. | Kent State | 102 | -- |
4. | Bowling Green | 77 | -- |
5. | Northern Illinois | 72 | -- |
6. | Akron | 69 | -- |
7. | Eastern Michigan | 66 | -- |
8. | Buffalo | 50 | -- |
9. | Ohio | 40 | -- |
10. | Western Michigan | 38 | -- |
11. | Central Michigan | 24 | -- |
12. | Miami | 23 | -- |
MAC Tournament champions: Toledo (10), Ball State (2)
MAC Preseason All-Conference
editHonor | Recipient |
---|---|
Preseason All-MAC First Team | Ally Becki, Forward, Ball State, Junior |
Chelby Koker, Guard, Northern Illinois, Fifth Year | |
Katie Shumate, Guard, Kent State, Redshirt Senior | |
Quinesha Lockett, Guard, Toledo, Fifth Year | |
Reagan Bass, Forward, Akron, Junior | |
Preseason All-MAC Second Team | Lachelle Austin, Guard, Eastern Michigan, Junior |
Lexi Fleming, Guard, Bowling Green, Senior | |
Nyla Hampton, Guard, Ball State, Junior | |
Sammi Mikonowicz, Guard/Forward, Toledo, Senior | |
Sophia Wiard, Guard, Toledo, Fifth Year |
Rankings
editPre | Wk 2 |
Wk 3 |
Wk 4 |
Wk 5 |
Wk 6 |
Wk 7 |
Wk 8 |
Wk 9 |
Wk 10 |
Wk 11 |
Wk 12 |
Wk 13 |
Wk 14 |
Wk 15 |
Wk 16 |
Wk 17 |
Wk 18 |
Wk 19 |
Final | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akron | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ball State | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | |||||||||||||
Bowling Green | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Buffalo | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Central Michigan | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Eastern Michigan | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Kent State | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Miami | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Northern Illinois | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||||||
Toledo | AP | RV | RV | ||||||||||||||||||
C | RV | RV | RV | ||||||||||||||||||
Western Michigan | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
C |
Improvement in ranking | ||
Drop in ranking | ||
Not ranked previous week | ||
No change in ranking from previous week | ||
RV | Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll | |
т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |
All-MAC Awards
editMid-American women's basketball weekly awards
editWeek | Player(s) of the Week | School |
---|---|---|
Nov 13[24] | Reagan Bass | Akron |
Nov 20[25] | Reagan Bass (2) | Akron |
Nov 27[26] | Reagan Bass (3) | Akron |
Dec 4[27] | Reagan Bass (4) | Akron |
Dec 11[28] | Corynne Hauser | Kent State |
Dec 18[29] | Morgan Sharps | Bowling Green |
Dec 25[30] | Ally Becki | Ball State |
Jan 1[31] | Chellia Watson | Buffalo |
Jan 8[32] | Ally Becki (2) | Ball State |
Jan 15[33] | Chellia Watson (2) | Buffalo |
Jan 22[34] | Ally Becki (3) | Ball State |
Jan 29[35] | Chellia Watson (3) | Buffalo |
Feb 5[36] | Chellia Watson (4) | Buffalo |
Feb 12[37] | Chellia Watson (5) | Buffalo |
Feb 19[38] | Quinesha Lockett | Toledo |
Feb 26[39] | Amy Velasco | Bowling Green |
Mar 4[40] | Katie Shumate | Kent State |
Mar 11[41] | Alex Richard | Ball State |
Postseason
editMid–American Tournament
editKent State defeated Northern Illinois, Ball State, and Buffalo to win their fourth MAC tournament title and first since 2002
NCAA tournament
editKent State was seeded 15th in the Albany 1 region and fell to second-seeded Notre Dame in the first round to finish the season at 21–11.[42]
Women's National Invitation Tournament
editBuffalo and Bowling Green accepted bids and both lost in the first round
Postseason Awards
edit- Coach of the Year: Tricia Cullop, Toledo
- Player of the Year: Sophia Wiard, 5th, Guard, Toledo
- Freshman of the Year: Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Guard, Buffalo
- Defensive Player of the Year: Nyla Hampton, Junior, Guard, Ball State
- Sixth Player of the Year: Annie Rauch, Senior, Forward, Ball State
Honors
editHonor | Recipient |
---|---|
Postseason All-MAC First Team | Ally Becki, Junior, Guard, Ball State |
Chellia Watson, Redshirt Senior, Guard, Buffalo | |
Katie Shumate, Redshirt Senior, Guard, Kent State | |
Sophia Wiard, Fifth-Year, Guard, Toledo | |
Quinesha Lockett, Fifth-Year, Guard, Toledo | |
Postseason All-MAC Second Team | Reagan Bass, Junior, Forward, Akron |
Nyla Hampton, Junior, Guard, Ball State | |
Amy Velasco, Junior, Guard, Bowling Green | |
Morgan Sharps, Fifth-Year, Guard, Bowling Green | |
Kaitlyn Zarycki, Graduate, Guard, Western Michigan | |
Postseason All-MAC Third Team | Madelyn Bischoff, Junior, Forward, Ball State |
Erika Porter, Senior, Forward, Bowling Green | |
Jenna Batsch, Junior, Forward, Kent State | |
Brooke Stonebraker, Senior, Forward, Northern Illinois | |
Sammi Mikonowicz, Senior, Guard/Forward, Toledo | |
Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Freshman, Guard, Buffalo |
Amber Tretter, Freshman, Forward, Miami | |
Taylor Williams, Redshirt Junior, Forward, Western Michigan | |
Jaya McClure, Sophomore, Guard, Ohio | |
Kennedi Watkins, Junior, Guard, Ohio | |
All-MAC Freshman Team | Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Guard, Buffalo |
Paige Kohler, Guard, Bowling Green | |
Amber Tretter, Forward, Miami | |
Janae Tyler, Forward, Kent State | |
Bailey Tabeling, Guard, Ohio | |
All-MAC Defensive Team | Ally Becki, Junior, Ball State, Guard |
Nyla Hampton, Junior, Guard, Ball State | |
Tayra Eke, Junior, Center, Eastern Michigan | |
Katie Shumate, Redshirt Senior, Guard, Kent State | |
Kaitlyn Zarycki, Graduate, Guard, Western Michigan |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Zarrella, Tony. "MAC Tournament staying in downtown Cleveland through 2030". Cleveland 19 News. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ "Toledo Enters 2024 MAC Tournament as No. 1 Seed for Third Consecutive Season".
- ^ Mascitti, Carly. "'It still feels unreal': Kent State prepares for first NCAA tournament appearance in decades". News 5 Cleveland. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Ulrich, Nate; Easterling, Chris (February 21, 2023). "University of Akron decides Melissa Jackson won't be back as its women's basketball coach". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ Thomas, George (March 29, 2023). "University of Akron chooses Ryan Gensler as next women's basketball coach". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ Paul, Tony. "MSU hires Okemos native Robyn Fralick as women's basketball coach". Detroit News. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ Lambdin, Nia (April 8, 2023). "BGSU announces new head coach for women's basketball". WTVG. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ Paul, Tony. "Central Michigan fires women's basketball coach Heather Oesterle after tough 2 years". Detroit News. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ Hotchkiss, Greg (April 20, 2023). "Kristin Haynie Named Head Women's Basketball Coach at Central Michigan". Central Michigan Chippewas. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ Jablonski, David. "Miami women's basketball coach resigns after four seasons". Hamilton Journal News. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ Greenawalt, Tyler. "Miami (Ohio) women's basketball coach DeUnna Hendrix resigns after texts reportedly show relationship with player". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Jordan, Haley (May 8, 2023). "Indiana Women's Basketball Associate Head Coach Glenn Box Named Head Coach at Miami (OH)". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ^ Paul, Tony (December 11, 2023). "EMU fires women's basketball coach, names Blanton interim coach". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "MAC Announces 2023-24 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll & Teams". MAC Conference. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ "AP Top 25 Women's Basketball Poll". apnews.com. The Associated Press. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "AP Top 25 Women's Basketball Poll". apnews.com. The Associated Press. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "AP Top 25 Women's Basketball Poll". apnews.com. The Associated Press. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "AP Top 25 Women's Basketball Poll". apnews.com. The Associated Press. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll". USA Today. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "Women's Basketball Week 2 Coaches Poll". USA Today. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ "Women's Basketball Week 3 Coaches Poll". USA Today. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Women's Basketball Week 18 Coaches Poll". USA Today. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Women's Basketball Players of the Week".
- ^ "Akron's Bass Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Akron's Bass Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Bass Garners Third-Straight MAC Player of the Week Honor".
- ^ "Bass Garners Fourth-Straight MAC Player of the Week Honor".
- ^ "Kent State's Hauser Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Sharps Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Becki Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Buffalo's Watson Earns MAC Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "Becki Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Buffalo's Watson Garners MAC Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "Becki Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Watson Earns MAC Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "Watson Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Watson Earns Third-Straight MAC Player of the Week Honor".
- ^ "Lockett Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Velasco Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Shumate Garners MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "Richard Earns Final Women's Basketball Player of the Week Honor".
- ^ Mascitti, Carly. "'It still feels unreal': Kent State prepares for first NCAA tournament appearance in decades". News 5 Cleveland. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ "2022-23 MAC Women's Basketball Postseason Awards Announced". getsomeaction.com. March 12, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.