2025–26 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season
| 2025–26 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season | |
|---|---|
| League | NCAA Division I |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Teams | 13 |
| Regular season | |
| Champions | Miami, Ball State |
| Season MVP | Madi Morson |
| 2026 MAC tournament | |
| champions | Miami |
| runners-up | Toledo |
| 2026 MAC tournament MVP | Amber Scalia |
| Tournament | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | PCT | W | L | PCT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miami (OH) † | 16 | – | 2 | .889 | 28 | – | 7 | .800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ball State | 16 | – | 2 | .889 | 26 | – | 7 | .788 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UMass | 15 | – | 3 | .833 | 23 | – | 7 | .767 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Central Michigan | 12 | – | 6 | .667 | 18 | – | 12 | .600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ohio | 11 | – | 7 | .611 | 18 | – | 14 | .563 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Toledo | 9 | – | 9 | .500 | 17 | – | 15 | .531 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling Green | 9 | – | 9 | .500 | 17 | – | 14 | .548 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kent State | 9 | – | 9 | .500 | 15 | – | 16 | .484 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Michigan | 6 | – | 12 | .333 | 13 | – | 16 | .448 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Michigan | 5 | – | 13 | .278 | 9 | – | 20 | .310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Akron | 4 | – | 14 | .222 | 7 | – | 24 | .226 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Illinois | 4 | – | 14 | .222 | 7 | – | 23 | .233 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Buffalo | 1 | – | 17 | .056 | 3 | – | 27 | .100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| † 2026 MAC tournament winner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2025–26 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season will be the season for Mid-American Conference women's basketball teams. It will begin with practices in October 2024, followed by the start of the 2025–26 NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November. Conference play will begin in January 2026 and conclude in March 2026. The 2026 MAC tournament will be held at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio for the 26th consecutive season.[1] This season marks the conference's first change in membership since 2005 with the addition of UMass.[2] It will also be the last MAC season for Northern Illinois, which will rejoin the Horizon League in 2026 after a nearly 30-year absence.[3]
Ball State and Miami shared the regular season championship with a 16–2 record[4] Madi Morson of Central Michigan won player of the year. In the 2026 MAC women's basketball tournament, Miami defeated Kent State, Ohio, and Toledo to win the MAC tournament title, their first since 2008, to advance to the 2026 NCAA tournament.[5] Amber Scalia of Miami was named tournament MVP.[6]
Head coaches
Coaching changes
Buffalo
After a 30 win season, a WNIT Championship, and a 61–37 record at Buffalo over three seasons, Becky Burke was hired as the head coach at Arizona on April 14, 2025.[7] On April 18, Buffalo hired Kristen Sharkey, former Buffalo basketball player and assistant coach, as the school's 14th women's basketball head coach.[8]
Northern Illinois
Lisa Carlsen resigned from as the Northern Illinois women's basketball coach on March 10, 2025 after a 13–17 season and a overall 147-155 record over nine seasons with the Huskies.[9] On April 1, NIU hired Buffalo associate head coach Jacey Brooks as the new head coach.[10]
Western Michigan
Shane Clipfell announced his retirement from coaching on March 17, 2025 after 13 seasons and a 184–209 record as the head coach of Western Michigan University.[11] On March 28, Detroit Mercy head coach Kate Achter was named the seventh head coach in program history.[12]
Coaches
| Team | 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.) | 3 | 20–38 (.345) | 20–38 (.345) | 9–25 (.265) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ball State | Brady Sallee | Eastern Illinois | 14 | 400–265 (.602) | 264–155 (.630) | 159–76 (.677) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Bowling Green | Fred Chmiel | South Carolina (Asst.) | 3 | 34–28 (.548)† | 34–28 (.548) | 21–15 (.583) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Buffalo | Kristen Sharkey | Syracuse (Assoc. HC) | 1 | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Central Michigan | Kristin Haynie | Michigan State (Asst.) | 3 | 18–38 (.321) | 18–38 (.321) | 11–23 (.324) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eastern Michigan | Sahar Nusseibeh | Canisius | 2 | 34–87 (.281) | 2–27 (.069) | 1–17 (.056) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kent State | Todd Starkey | Indiana (Asst.) | 10 | 329–206 (.615) | 164–111 (.596) | 97–65 (.599) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami | Glenn Box | Indiana (Assoc HC.) | 3 | 92–62 (.597) | 28–31 (.475) | 17–19 (.472) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Illinois | Jacey Brooks | Buffalo (Assoc HC.) | 1 | 79–32 (.712) | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ohio | Bob Boldon | Youngstown State | 13 | 300–251 (.544) | 202–161 (.556) | 118–97 (.549) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Toledo | Ginny Boggess | Monmouth | 2 | 78–51 (.605) | 24–9 (.727) | 13–5 (.722) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UMass | Mike Leflar | UMass (Assoc. HC) | 3 | 22–42 (.344) | 22–42 (.344) | 0–0 (–) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Western Michigan | Kate Achter | Detroit Mercy | 1 | 104–166 (.385) | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notes:
- Appearances, titles, etc. are from time with current school only.
- Years at school includes 2024–25 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.
Source:[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]
Preseason
The MAC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tip-Off was held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Each team had their head coach and a student athlete from both the men's and women's basketball team for interviews.[26]
MAC Women's Basketball Preview Coaches & Student-Athletes
- Akron: Head Coach Ryan Gensler & Keiryn McGuff (Junior, Guard/Forward)
- Ball State: Head Coach Brady Sallee & Grace Kingery (Sophomore, Guard)
- Bowling Green: Head Coach Fred Chmiel & Paige Kohler (Junior, Guard)
- Buffalo: Head Coach Kristen Sharkey & Gabby McDuffie (Grad., Guard)
- Central Michigan: Head Coach Kristin Haynie & Zareia Chevre (5th, Forward)
- Eastern Michigan: Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh & Sisi Eleko (Senior, Forward)
- Kent State: Head Coach Todd Starkey & Janae Tyler (Junior, Forward)
- Miami: Head Coach Glenn Box & Amber Tretter (Junior, Forward)
- Northern Illinois: Head Coach Jacey Brooks & Alecia Doyle (Senior, Guard)
- Ohio: Head Coach Bob Boldon & Elli Garnett (Grad., Forward)
- Toledo: Head Coach Ginny Boggess & Patricia Anumgba (Grad., Guard)
- Western Michigan: Head Coach Kate Achter & Alli Carlson (Senior, Guard)
Preseason women's basketball coaches poll
| Place | Team | Points | First place votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kent State | 133 | 5 |
| 2. | Toledo | 118 | 2 |
| 3. | UMass | 115 | 3 |
| 4. | Ball State | 112 | 3 |
| 5. | Central Michigan | 105 | -- |
| 6. | Bowling Green | 101 | -- |
| 7. | Miami | 86 | -- |
| 8. | Akron | 51 | -- |
| 9. | Western Michigan | 48 | -- |
| 10. | Ohio | 44 | -- |
| 11. | Buffalo | 42 | -- |
| 12. | Eastern Michigan | 36 | -- |
| 13. | Northern Illinois | 23 | -- |
MAC tournament champions: Kent State (5), UMass (3), Toledo (3), Ball State (1), Miami (1)
Source[27]
MAC Preseason All-Conference
| Honor | Recipient |
|---|---|
| Preseason All-MAC First Team | Janae Tyler, Kent State, Junior |
| Kendall Carruthers, Toledo, Junior | |
| Madi Morson, Central Michigan, Sophomore | |
| Paige Kohler, Bowling Green, Junior | |
| Sisi Eleko, Eastern Michigan, Senior | |
| Preseason All-MAC Second Team | Amber Tretter, Miami, Junior |
| Ayanna-Sarai Darrington, Central Michigan, Sophomore | |
| Megan Olbrys, UMass, Senior | |
| Mya Babbitt, Kent State, Junior | |
| Yahmani McKayle, UMass, Sophomore |
Regular season
Ball State and Miami shared the regular season championship with a 16–2 record.
Rankings
| Pre | 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| C | |||||||||||||||||||||
| UMass | AP | ||||||||||||||||||||
| C | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 |
Postseason
Mid–American Tournament
Miami defeated Kent State, Ohio and Toledo to win their first tournament since 2009 and advance to the 2026 NCAA tournament. Amber Scalia was the tournament MVP.
NCAA tournament
As a 13 seed Miami drew the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first round.[28]
Women's National Invitation Tournament
Ohio was the only program to accepted a bid where they will play UMBC. [29]
All-MAC awards
Mid-American men's basketball weekly awards
Source:[30]
| Week | Player(s) of the Week | School |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 10[31] | Bree Salenbien | Ball State |
| Nov 17[32] | Johnea Donahue | Bowling Green |
| Nov 24[33] | Bree Salenbien (2) | Ball State |
| Dec 1[34] | Sisi Eleko | Eastern Michigan |
| Dec 8[35] | Amber Tretter | Miami |
| Dec 15[36] | Sisi Eleko (2) | Eastern Michigan |
| Dec 22[37] | Johnea Donahue (2) | Bowling Green |
| Dec 29 | N/A | |
| Jan 5[38] | Fernanda Ovalle | Eastern Michigan |
| Jan 12[39] | Madi Morson | Central Michigan |
| Jan 19[40] | Emory Klatt | Kent State |
| Jan 26[41] | Ilse de Vries | Miami |
| Feb 2[42] | Tessa Towers | Ball State |
| Feb 9[43] | Amber Tretter (2) | Miami |
| Feb 16[44] | Bree Salenbien (3) | Ball State |
| Feb 23[45] | Megan Olbrys | UMass |
| Mar 2[46] | Ayanna-Sarai Darrington | Central Michigan |
| Mar 9[47] | Madi Morson (2) | Central Michigan |
Postseason awards
| 2026 Mid-American Women's Basketball Individual Awards[48] | ||||||
| Award | Recipient(s) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player of the Year | Madi Morson, Central Michigan | |||||
| Coach of the Year | Glenn Box, Miami | |||||
| Defensive Player of the Year | Johnea Donahue, Bowling Green | |||||
| Freshman of the Year | Peyton Hill, Eastern Michigan | |||||
| Sixth Man Award | Emory Klatt, Kent State | |||||
All-MAC Honors
| 2026 Mid-American Women's Basketball All-Conference Teams[48] | ||||||
| First Team | Second Team | Third Team | Honorable Mention | All-Defensive | Freshman Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tessa Towers, Ball State Bree Salenbien, Ball State Madi Morson, Central Michigan Yahmani McKayle, UMas Amber Tretter, Miami |
Ayanna-Sarai Darrington, Central Michigan Sisi Eleko, Eastern Michigan Mya Babbitt, Kent State Megan Olbrys, UMass Bailey Tabeling, Ohio |
Paige Kohler, Bowling Green Ilse De Vries, Miami Tamar Singer, Miami Kendall Carruthers, Toledo Patricia Anumgba, Toledo |
Grace Kingery, Ball State Johnea Donahue, Bowling Green Peyton Hill, Eastern Michigan Allie Palmieri, UMass Faith Fedd-Robinson, Toledo |
Shaena Brew, Akron Aniss Tagayi, Ball State Aniya Rowe, Buffalo Peyton Hill, Eastern Michigan Emilie Sorensen, Northern Illinois |
Aniss Tagayi, Ball State Johnae Donahue, Bowling Green Ayanna Franks, UMass Ilse De Vries, Miami Tamar Singer, Miami | |
See also
References
- ^ Zarrella, Tony. "MAC Tournament staying in downtown Cleveland through 2030". Cleveland 19 News. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
- ^ Withers, Tom (February 27, 2024). "UMass will join Mid-American Conference as a full sports member in 2025, MAC commissioner says". APNews. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ "Horizon League Welcomes NIU" (Press release). Horizon League. February 27, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ "MAC Announces 2026 Women's Basketball Tournament Pairings".
- ^ "Miami 68, Toledo 58". ESPN. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
- ^ "Miami Wins 2026 MAC Women's Basketball Tournament Title; Punches Ticket to NCAA Tournament". Mid-American Conference. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
- ^ Wohl, Ari (April 14, 2025). "'Bear down, baby': Becky Burke introduced as new Arizona Wildcats women's basketball coach". AZ Central]. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- ^ "Buffalo women's hoops program hires former player Kristen Sharkey to replace Becky Burke". AP News. April 18, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ Leber, Scott (March 10, 2025). "Lisa Carlsen resigns as NIU women's head basketball coach". My State Line. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ Kreuzer, Jack (April 1, 2025). "Jacey Brooks Hired as NIU WBB Head Coach". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "Shane Clipfell, winningest coach in WMU women's hoops history, is retiring". Detroit News. March 17, 2025. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ Paul, Tony. "Western Michigan women's basketball hires Kate Achter away from Detroit Mercy". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
- ^ "Ryan Gensler". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Brady Sallee". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Fred Chmiel". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Kristen Sharkey". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "Kristen Haynie". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Sahar Nusseibeh". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Todd Starkey". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Glenn Box". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Jacey Brooks". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "Bob Boldon". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Ginny Boggess". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Mike Leflar". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "Kate Achter". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "MAC Basketball x Field of 68 Tip-Off Show Live TODAY!". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ "MAC Announces 2025-26 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll & Teams". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. October 21, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Damcott, Anthony (March 15, 2026). "WVU seeded No. 4, will host Miami (Ohio) to begin NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament". WCHS TV. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ "ostseason WNIT announces 48-team field for 2026 event". WNIT. March 15, 2026. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ "Women's Basketball Players of the Week".
- ^ "Salenbien Earns Week 1 MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "Donahue Named Week 2 Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Ball State's Salenbien Garners Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "Eleko Garners Week 4 Player of the Week Accolades".
- ^ "Tretter Named Week 5 MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Eleko Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Donahue Named Week 7 Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Ovalle Named Week 9 Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Morson Named Week 10 Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Klatt Garners Week 11 Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "de Vries Named Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Ball State's Towers Named Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ "Tretter Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week After Career Performance".
- ^ "Salenbien Earns Week 15 MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "Olbrys Named Week 16 Player of the Week".
- ^ "Darrington Earns Week 17 Player of the Week Honors".
- ^ "Morson Earns Final Women's Basketball Player of the Week".
- ^ a b "MAC Announces 2025-26 Women's Basketball All-MAC Teams & Specialty Award Winners". getsomemaction.com. 10 March 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.