UMass Men's Basketball Enters Inaugural MAC Slate with High Expectations

Strategic Insights -

The Massachusetts men's basketball team is set to enter its first season in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) after 49 years in the Atlantic 10. Head coach Frank Martin leads a group with many new faces into a brand-new challenge. Ranked No. 5 in the MAC preseason poll, the Minutemen are regarded as a tough team across the conference. UMass looks to secure one of the top eight seeds to play in the MAC conference tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

Key Takeaways:

  • UMass starts its MAC journey on Dec. 20, with the regular season ending on March 3, totaling 18 matchups against new conference foes.
  • The Minutemen will face tough opponents, including Kent State, Eastern Michigan, and Ohio, who are projected to finish high in the MAC standings.
  • UMass will also face Ball State, Bowling Green, and Western Michigan, who are looking to improve their standing in the conference.
  • The team's new conference foes will require them to adapt to different styles of play, which could be a challenge for the Minutemen.
  • With eight freshmen, one being a red-shirt, and just five upperclassmen, the Huskies are likely to focus on player development this season.

Statistics:

  • UMass will play 18 games against new conference foes, with 9 of those games coming at home and 9 on the road.
  • The Minutemen will face a total of 13 opponents in their inaugural MAC season, with 2 teams being repeat opponents.
  • Kent State is projected to finish 2nd in the MAC, while Eastern Michigan is projected to finish 9th.
  • Ohio is projected to finish 4th, while Ball State is projected to finish 8th.
  • Western Michigan is projected to finish 10th and Northern Illinois is projected to finish 12th.
  • Miami is the only team projected to finish ahead of UMass, finishing 3rd in the MAC.

Sources:

  • "UMass men's basketball previewing MAC opponents" by Reece Tramazzo (October 27, 2025)

+ Source: Massachusetts Daily Collegian, https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/10/umass_mens_basketball_previewing_mac_opponents.html

  • Ken Pomeroy's college basketball analytics website: https://kenpom.com/

+ Source: Ken Pomeroy, https://kenpom.com/