What Is 2015 MAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Overview

The 2015 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Men's Basketball Tournament determined the conference champion and NCAA Tournament representative for the 2014–2015 season. Held annually since 1980, the tournament features the top teams from the MAC competing in a single-elimination format.

This edition marked the 35th MAC Tournament and concluded with Ohio University claiming its first title since 2010. The event took place at Quicken Loans Arena, a neutral site in Cleveland, continuing a long-standing tradition of hosting the tournament there.

• March 12–14, 2015 were the official dates for the 2015 MAC Men's Basketball Tournament, culminating in the championship game on March 14.
• Ohio University won the tournament by defeating the Buffalo Bulls 67–62 in the final, securing their fifth MAC title in program history.
• The tournament was hosted at Quicken Loans Arena, a 20,000-seat venue in downtown Cleveland that has hosted the event every year since 2000.
• Buffalo entered as the #1 seed from the East Division after finishing the regular season with a 14–4 conference record and 23–9 overall.
• Ohio was the #4 seed in the tournament but advanced through the bracket by defeating #5 Akron, #1 Buffalo, and #2 Toledo en route to the title.

How It Works

The MAC Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format involving the top 12 teams from the conference’s two divisions. Teams are seeded based on regular-season conference records, with the top six from each division qualifying.

• Format: The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket with 12 teams—six from the East and six from the West divisions. The top four seeds receive byes into the quarterfinals.
• Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 12 based on conference winning percentage. Tiebreakers include head-to-head results and division records.
• Location: Since 2000, the tournament has been held at Quicken Loans Arena (now Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse) in Cleveland, Ohio, ensuring a neutral site.
• NCAA Bid: The tournament champion receives the MAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, regardless of regular-season performance.
• Game Schedule: The tournament spans four days, beginning with first-round games on Tuesday and culminating with the final on Saturday.
• Historical Context: The MAC Tournament began in 1980, and the winner has advanced to the NCAA Tournament every year since, with notable upsets in 2000 and 2011.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key teams and results from the 2015 MAC Tournament highlights performance trends and seeding outcomes.

The table shows that higher seeds generally advanced deep into the tournament, but Ohio’s run as the #4 seed demonstrated the unpredictability of single-elimination play. Buffalo dominated the regular season but fell short in the final, while Western Michigan and Toledo also showed strong performances from the West Division.

Why It Matters

The 2015 MAC Tournament had significant implications for postseason play and conference recognition. Ohio’s victory not only brought pride to the program but also secured national exposure through the NCAA Tournament.

• Automatic NCAA Bid: Ohio’s win guaranteed them a spot in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, where they were seeded #14 in the East Region.
• Upset Potential: As a lower seed, Ohio’s championship run exemplified the underdog success stories common in mid-major conference tournaments.
• Conference Representation: The MAC’s automatic bid helped maintain the conference’s presence on the national stage despite limited at-large chances.
• Player Recognition: Ohio’s Antonio Campbell was named Tournament MVP after averaging 18.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.
• Historical Significance: It marked Ohio’s first MAC title since 2010 and their first under head coach Saul Phillips.
• Financial Impact: NCAA Tournament appearances generate significant revenue for conferences through the basketball performance fund.

The 2015 tournament reinforced the value of conference championships in shaping college basketball’s postseason landscape and highlighted the competitive balance within the MAC.