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Much like football, it seems each school takes a turn being thee TEAM to beat in MAC basketball. Maybe BG is just going through a period that all schools are going to go through?

I took a look at the original MAC member schools and what they have done the last 15 years in conference play...

Ball State
Champs in 1993
From 2001 through 2006 they have never finished above .500 in the league (5 year span)

Central Michigan
Champs in 2003
1990-2002 they were never above .500 in league (12 years)
The have won a total of 7 MAC games the last three years

Eastern Michigan
Champs in 1991 & 1996
From 1999 through 2006 they have finished near the bottom of the conference just above or below .500

Kent State
Champs in 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2005
From 1990 through 1997 they were never above .500 in league (8 years)

Miami
Champs in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999
From 2000 through 2003 they were a .500 team in league play

Ohio
Champs in 1994 (Made NCAA in 2005)
They were 3-15 in 1998 and from 2003 through 2004 they were below .500

Toledo
No season championships!
From 1990 through 1997 they were over .500 only once

Western Michigan
Champs in 1998 & 2004
From 1990 through 2001 they were over .500 only twice

Bowling Green
Champs in 2000
From 1990 through 2002 they were under .500 only twice.

Of course we are all aware of what the last three or four seasons has been like at BG. But, maybe this is just a cycle that our program is going to have to fight through? Miami has probably been the most consistent team over the last 15 years in the MAC. And, Kent has had a nice run lately and has been able to sustain it for 5 or 6 years.

Now, does a change in coaching create these peaks and valleys? Probably plays a big part of it. But I wonder if the long-tenured coaches who weather a couple of stormy years don't end up winning again?

Not a vote to keep our current coaching situation, just wondering if some of this can't be helped with any program...no matter who's coaching?

Thoughtful post, but I think your information on some teams is wrong.

Ball State finished above .500 in 2002 in the MAC, they were the west champs and the 2nd seed in the tournament. They made and won games in the NIT that year also. I believe they were 12-6 in conference.

Central Michigan won the league in 2001, a year you stated they were below .500, with a record of (14-4 I think).

I dont know about the rest from memory, I hope it is correct.

I stand corrected.

Ball State won the West in 2001-2002 with a 12-6 record. From 2002-2003 through 2005-2006 they are 34-38.

Central Michigan won the west in in 2001-2002 with 14-4 record. Therefore from 1990-91 through 1990-2000 (11 years) they were never above .500.

Here is the link to the MAC record book:
http://admin.xosn.com/fls/9400/MBasketb ... EM_ID=9400

I believe only OU was an original member of the MAC.