The 2008–09 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2008, followed by the start of the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2009 and concluded in March 2009. Bowling Green and Buffalo shared the regular season title with a conference record of 11–5. Fifth-seeded Akron defeated Buffalo in the MAC tournament final and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Gonzaga.
Preseason awards
The preseason poll was announced by the league office on October 30, 2008.
Preseason men's basketball poll
(First place votes in parentheses)
East Division
Kent State (16) 124
(6) 109
Bowling Green 70
Akron 67
Ohio 66
Buffalo 35
West Division
Western Michigan (15) 122
Eastern Michigan (7) 105
Central Michigan 79
71
Ball State 55
Northern Illinois 39
Tournament champs
Kent State (11), Miami (7), Bowling Green (2), Eastern Michigan (2)