March Madness is here.

By BRYANT K. KIZER

Contributing Writer

It is March and you know what time it is. It is time for MAC Madness at the Quicken Loans Arena.

The Women’s teams will tip it off on Wednesday afternoon with a double-header.

Central Michigan (17-14), who beat Ball State 86-63, will take on former Ms. Ohio Semeka Randall’s Ohio University. The Bobcats (14-17) beat Kent State 58-40. Both games were on Saturday and it was the opening day of the tournament.

Northern Illinois (13-16) knocked off Western Michigan (8-22) 68-51. The Huskies will face Akron. The Zips beat Buffalo 96-82. The two will tip-off approximately 2:30 p.m.

On Thursday, the women have the matinee again. Fourth-seed Miami will be taking on the winner of the Central Michigan/Ohio. Tip-off will be at noon.

In the second game, third-seed Toledo will battle the winner of Northern Illinois/Akron.

On Friday, the top two seeds, Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan await the winners.

The championship game will be Saturday at 1 p.m.

In the men’s, the first-round began on Monday. So, the games are not chiseled in stone yet. However, the first four seeds will be at the Q. Akron, Buffalo, Ohio and Kent State are the teams.

Kent State and Ohio will be playing on Thursday. The Flashes (10-6 MAC, 20-10) will tip-off at 7 p.m. Ohio University (11-5, 24-7) will tip-off at 9:30 p.m.

On Friday, Akron (13-3, 21-10) will tip-off at 7 p.m. Buffalo (12-4, 18-9) will start at 9:30 p.m.

Championship game is on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Locals coming back to Cleveland

Ohio University – Semeka Randall is the head coach for Ohio University. Randall played her high school basketball at Trinity and she earned Ms. Ohio Basketball in 1996 and 1997. She was the MVP of the Ohio state basketball tournament in 1994 and 1996 and the Gatorade Circle of Champions Midwest Player of the Year in 1997. Randall then went to play her college basketball at Tennessee with the legendary coach Pat Summitt. She played her pro basketball with WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars, Utah Starzz, and Seattle Storm. She was an assistant coach at Cleveland State.

Central Michigan – Mahogany Green (assistant coach) played her college ball at Cleveland State. Green a four-year letter winner for the Vikings. Green was the team’s MVP in both the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Green is a two-time first team All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference (MCC) selection was also named to the league’s all-tournament team in 2000 and 2001. She finished her career second in the Viking record book with 151 three-point field goals.

Miami University – Lillian Pitts, senior, played her high school basketball at Shaker Heights under the direction of head coach Don Readance. She was selected to the Call-and-Post All-Star team following her 2008 season. Pitts averaged 12 points and 14 rebounds per game in her senior season for the Red Raiders.

Erica Almady, sophomore, played her high school basketball at Hathaway Brown. She led the Blazers to back-to-back Division II State titles in 2009 and 2010.

Akron – Taylor Ruper, junior, played her high school ball at Trinity. She was a three-time All-Ohio honoree. She averaged 16.5 points and 4.8 rebounds during her four-year varsity career.

Toledo – Riley McCormick (Regina)

Eastern Michigan – Natachia Watkins played her high school ball at Brush. For the Lady Arcs, she was named MVP in the last three years. Watkins was awarded Northeast Ohio Conference first-team honors. She averaged 16.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.6 steals, 3.4 assists and 2.5 blocks per game in her senior year.

Amber Bogard (Beachwood)

For the men:

Akron – Nick Harney played his high school basketball at Benedictine. He averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds as a senior. Harney was first-team All-Ohio honors and nominated for the McDonald’s All-American team during the 2009-10 season.

Demetrius Treadwell (Euclid) averaged 22.9 points, 16.6 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game in his one-year at Euclid. He earned second team, All-Ohio honors and was named first team AP Northeast Lakes All-District.

C.J. Oldham (Solon)

Luke Avsec (Trinity)

Kent State – Randall Holt (Bedford, Glenville) and Scooter Johnson (Bedford).

Ohio – Reggie Keely (Bedford, Cleveland Heights).