CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Akron Zips (20-4, 10-1) are struggling, but still winning, coming off a buzzer beating 65-63 victory over Ball State on Tuesday night. Akron still holds a four-game lead over the field in the Mid-American Conference with seven to play, although only three of the seven are at home, where the Zips have won 29 straight.
The Zips appear to be a lock to earn at least a first-round bye for the MAC Tournament. First round games will be played on home sites on March 6 with quarterfinals set for Quicken Loans Arena on March 9.
But the Zips do have some issues, not the least of which is senior forward Kwan Cheatham’s sudden slump.
After a career-high 31-point game against Buffalo, Cheatham has not scored in double figures since. He is 8-for-37 overall in the three games since and 4-for-22 on 3-pointers.
“Kwan is the key,” Akron coach Keith Dambrot said after the Ball State victory. “When Kwan struggles we become an average team.”
The Zips have won two of the three games, but both have been struggles.
“Are we coming back to the pack a little bit?” Dambrot said. “For the time being.”
No. 2 tries harder: There is a five-way tie for the next three seeds in the MAC Tournament, all at 6-5 in league play. Buffalo (12-12, 6-5) clearly looks like the most dangerous of the bunch, winning five of its last seven games with the two losses by a combined two points, including a 91-90 setback at Akron.
- MAC standings, schedules
The Bulls have games left with Akron and Ohio University, but have won three straight, all by double digits. And after upcoming road games at Bowling Green and Central Michigan, Buffalo ends the season playing four of its final five MAC games at home.
Also tied for second at 6-5 are OU, Central Michigan, Ball State and Northern Illinois.
Lucky No. 7?: There is a four-way tie for the seventh seed in the MAC Tournament between Kent State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan and Toledo, all at 5-6.
The most snakebit of this bunch appears to be Kent State (13-11). The Golden Flashes have won four of their last six games overall but the two losses — and three MAC setbacks overall — have come in overtime on their home court, including Tuesday’s 84-83 loss to Bowling Green.
Win one of those three overtime games and Kent is in the logjam for second place. Win two of those games and Kent is alone in second place. Turnovers have been huge in two of the three OT setbacks — 23 in the loss to NIU and 19 Tuesday against the Falcons.
The value for being a No. 7 or a No. 8 seed is hosting a first-round game. Kent has an extremely tough road ahead with two games remaining against Akron, plus road games at Buffalo and Toledo.
Nobody out: With seven conference games left, every team is still in the mix to at least host a MAC Tournament game. However, Miami (9-15, 2-9) has the most work to do to get there. The RedHawks have lost four straight and nine of their last 10, the lone victory coming at home over Buffalo, 75-74. Western Michigan (8-15, 4-7) has won two straight and could go on a roll as its next three games are at home.
On the horizon: Cleveland State (7-17, 3-9) which has lost four of its last five games, has a tough road chore this week starting Thursday night at Valparaiso, then Saturday at Illinois-Chicago. The Vikings finish the season with three of their final four games at home.
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