MAC tournament 2026: Men’s bracket and scores with Miami (OH) in spotlight

Miami (OH) is having one of the greatest mid-major seasons in the recent history of men’s college basketball. Somehow, their place in the 2026 NCAA tournament still isn’t guaranteed.

The Redhawks finished the regular season at 31-0. Right now, they’re projected as a No. 11 seed in the big dance, but things can change quickly if they don’t earn the auto-bid by winning the MAC tournament. Miami’s metrics aren’t great despite the undefeated record: they’re ranked No. 91 in KenPom right now, which is 30 spots below the conference’s No. 2 seed, Akron. The Zips have also been great all year, and they’re trying to earn the auto-bid with one of the best teams of head coach John Groce’s tenure. Now in his ninth season at the school, Groce has led the school to the NCAA tournament in three of the last four years, but he’s yet to win a game once he gets there. This year’s team could be good enough to do it with senior guard Tavari Johnson and 6’9 big man Amani Lyles leading the way.

Will Kent State or Toledo or Bowling Green play the spoiler? Is Miami (OH) about to get the coronation it’s looking for? Will Akron make the MAC a rare two-bid league if they beat the Redhawks in the title game? The action is all going down at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio with a champion crowned Saturday. Here’s how you can follow Miami (OH)‘s MAC tournament run with the bracket and full tournament schedule:

MAC men’s basketball tournament schedule, results

All times Eastern

Thursday, March 12 quarterfinals

• Game 1: No. 1 seed Miami (31-0, 18-0) vs. No. 8 seed UMass (16-15, 7-11), 11 a.m.
• Game 2: No. 4 Toledo (17-14, 11-7) vs. No. 5 Bowling Green (18-13, 9-9), approx. 30 minutes after Game 1
• Game 3: No. 2 Akron (26-5, 17-1) vs. No. 7 Buffalo (17-14, 7-11), approx. 30 minutes after Game 2
• Game 4: No. 3 Kent State (23-8, 14-4) vs. No. 6 Ohio (15-16, 9-9), approx. 30 minutes after Game 3

Friday, March 13 semifinals

• Semifinal No. 1: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 5 p.m., CBS Sports Network
• Semifinal No. 2: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, approx. 30 minutes after first semifinal, CBS Sports Network

Saturday March 14 championship

• Start time: 8 p.m., ESPN 2