What we've learned about MAC basketball heading into conference play

Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsAkron is the best team in the conference, but can't coast to the championship

The Zips are tied for the best record in the MAC with Northern Illinois at 11-2 and are the highest ranked team in the conference per KenPom (58th). Akron has the MAC's best win (at Arkansas) and losses at only current #16 Villanova and 8-5 Green Bay. So that means the Zips will be the #1 seed right?

Not so fast. The Zips won't run away with the title, and it's partly because of their schedule. Yes the East might be the weaker division, but the West cross-over games don't give Akron any favors. They'll have to face Central Michigan (last year's co-regular season champ) and upstart…