The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Basketball Picked Third in MAC Preseason Poll – Evan Mahaffey, Tahj Staveski Named to Preseason All-MAC Team
October 20 | Men's Basketball
CLEVELAND, Ohio –The Akron men's basketball team was predicted to finish third in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll while two Zips were named to the Preseason All-MAC team, the conference office announced Tuesday, October 20.
The Zips enter the 2026-27 after claiming three consecutive Mid-American Conference Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Akron was tabbed to finish third with 110 points. Miami was picked to finish first with nine first-place votes and 130 points, while Toldeo landed in the second spot with 117 points and two first-place votes. Kent State was picked to finish fourth after receiving 108 points and one first-place vote. The Coaches also selected the preseason favorite to win the MAC Tournament as Miami (5), Toledo (4), UMass (2) and Kent State (1) finished at the top of the conference.
The Zips had two players earn All-MAC Preseason honors in seniors Evan Mahaffey and Tahj Staveskie.
Mahaffey, a 6-foot-6 wing from Cincinnati, Ohio, returns for his fifth season of college basketball after helping Akron capture the 2025-26 Mid-American Conference title. Mahaffey was selected to the 2026-27 Preseason All-MAC Second Team following a strong first season with the Zips, earning All-MAC honorable mention and All-MAC Defensive Team accolades. He started all 35 games, averaging 10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Mahaffey also led Akron with 59 steals and 27 blocked shots.
Staveskie, a 6-foot-1 guard from Sandusky, Ohio, enters the 2026-27 season as a redshirt senior for the Akron Zips. He was named to the 2026-27 Preseason All-MAC Second Team after a productive 2025-26 season at Incarnate Word, where he averaged 17.3 points, 4.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Staveskie appeared in 31 games, starting 30, and scored in double figures 24 times, including 13 games with at least 20 points. He previously played at Cleveland State and Canisius, where he earned MAAC All-Rookie Team honors.
2026-27 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
First Place Votes (12)
1. Miami – 130 (9)
2. Toledo – 117 (2)
3. Akron -- 110
4. Kent State – 108 (1)
5. Ohio – 82
6. UMass – 79
7. Bowling Green – 63
8. Western Michigan – 58
9. Eastern Michigan – 56
10. Buffalo – 47
11. Ball State – 40
12. Central Michigan – 25
Tournament Champions: Miami (5), Toledo (4), UMass (2), Kent State (1)
Preseason All-MAC First Team
Mohammad Habhab, Eastern Michigan, Forward, R-So.
Evan Isparo, Miami, Guard, Sr.
Javan Simmons, Ohio, Forward, R-Sr.
Luke Skaljac, Miami, Guard, Jr.,
Chansey Willis Jr., Kent State, Guard, Sr.
Preseason All-MAC Second Team
Sean Jones, Toledo, Guard, R-Sr.
Evan Mahaffey, Akron, Wing, 5th-Sr.
Austin Parks, Toledo, Center, Sr.
Jackson Paveletzke, Ohio, Guard, 5th-Sr.
Tahj Staveskie, Akron, Guard, R-Sr.
AKRON BASKETBALL TICKETS
Akron basketball season tickets and single-game tickets are available now at GoZips.com/Tickets or by calling or texting the Akron ticket office at 888-99-AKRON (25766). Fans also can visit The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field, located at 375 E. Exchange St. near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SAVE WITH GROUPS
Group experiences for the 2026-27 season also are available. Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at Akron basketball home games by visiting the Akron Athletics ticket page. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for groups of 10 or more. Fan experiences are available on a first-come, first-served basis for Akron's home basketball games throughout the 2026-27 season.
The Zips enter the 2026-27 after claiming three consecutive Mid-American Conference Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Akron was tabbed to finish third with 110 points. Miami was picked to finish first with nine first-place votes and 130 points, while Toldeo landed in the second spot with 117 points and two first-place votes. Kent State was picked to finish fourth after receiving 108 points and one first-place vote. The Coaches also selected the preseason favorite to win the MAC Tournament as Miami (5), Toledo (4), UMass (2) and Kent State (1) finished at the top of the conference.
The Zips had two players earn All-MAC Preseason honors in seniors Evan Mahaffey and Tahj Staveskie.
Mahaffey, a 6-foot-6 wing from Cincinnati, Ohio, returns for his fifth season of college basketball after helping Akron capture the 2025-26 Mid-American Conference title. Mahaffey was selected to the 2026-27 Preseason All-MAC Second Team following a strong first season with the Zips, earning All-MAC honorable mention and All-MAC Defensive Team accolades. He started all 35 games, averaging 10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Mahaffey also led Akron with 59 steals and 27 blocked shots.Staveskie, a 6-foot-1 guard from Sandusky, Ohio, enters the 2026-27 season as a redshirt senior for the Akron Zips. He was named to the 2026-27 Preseason All-MAC Second Team after a productive 2025-26 season at Incarnate Word, where he averaged 17.3 points, 4.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Staveskie appeared in 31 games, starting 30, and scored in double figures 24 times, including 13 games with at least 20 points. He previously played at Cleveland State and Canisius, where he earned MAAC All-Rookie Team honors.
2026-27 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
First Place Votes (12)
1. Miami – 130 (9)
2. Toledo – 117 (2)
3. Akron -- 110
4. Kent State – 108 (1)
5. Ohio – 82
6. UMass – 79
7. Bowling Green – 63
8. Western Michigan – 58
9. Eastern Michigan – 56
10. Buffalo – 47
11. Ball State – 40
12. Central Michigan – 25
Tournament Champions: Miami (5), Toledo (4), UMass (2), Kent State (1)
Preseason All-MAC First Team
Mohammad Habhab, Eastern Michigan, Forward, R-So.
Evan Isparo, Miami, Guard, Sr.
Javan Simmons, Ohio, Forward, R-Sr.
Luke Skaljac, Miami, Guard, Jr.,
Chansey Willis Jr., Kent State, Guard, Sr.
Preseason All-MAC Second Team
Sean Jones, Toledo, Guard, R-Sr.
Evan Mahaffey, Akron, Wing, 5th-Sr.
Austin Parks, Toledo, Center, Sr.
Jackson Paveletzke, Ohio, Guard, 5th-Sr.
Tahj Staveskie, Akron, Guard, R-Sr.
AKRON BASKETBALL TICKETS
Akron basketball season tickets and single-game tickets are available now at GoZips.com/Tickets or by calling or texting the Akron ticket office at 888-99-AKRON (25766). Fans also can visit The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field, located at 375 E. Exchange St. near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SAVE WITH GROUPS
Group experiences for the 2026-27 season also are available. Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at Akron basketball home games by visiting the Akron Athletics ticket page. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for groups of 10 or more. Fan experiences are available on a first-come, first-served basis for Akron's home basketball games throughout the 2026-27 season.
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