Ducks fly together

Two of my favorite things are UB basketball and Disney sports movies. I have seen Cool Runnings and the two Mighty Ducks movies more than I care to admit (editor's note: the alleged third Mighty Ducks movie does not exist, I will not hear otherwise).

As the men's basketball season gets into full swing, here is a film-oriented break down of the Mid-American Conference's East Division.

1. Akron

Averman: "They're bigger! They're stronger! They're faster! They've got more facial hair!"

Akron truly is bigger, stronger, deeper and faster. They have more experience. This team is loaded, but so was Ohio last year and we all remember what happened with that mess. Ohio came out of nowhere the year it won the MAC, while this Akron squad has been together for several years, have the leadership from Romeo Travis and have all the makings of a team ready to make the NCAA Tournament.

Best player: Travis. The high school teammate and buddy of LeBron James is in his senior season, and thus far is averaging 14 points and just fewer than six rebounds a game. But as mentioned, this team is criminally deep with senior Drew Joyce, junior Jerimiah Wood, and junior Cedrick Middleton helping Travis lead the way. It also helps that Travis was involved with my favorite heckling moment of the season last year: Yelling to a tight-wearing-Travis "Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo.... ON THE BENCH!"

Fun times.

2. Ohio

Coach Riley: "It's not worth winning if you can't win big!"

This quote really has nothing to do with the Bobcats persay, but this is the motto of their youth hockey coach, and the Ducks' biggest rival, Jack Riley. I can just picture Ohio coach Tim O'Shea saying that in his smug and cocky manner, like Riley in the original Mighty Ducks movie. Also like Riley, O'Shea chocked away a chance at a championship with a loaded team.

Best player: Leon Williams is the top rebounder in the MAC, by far. He is averaging 13 rebounds a game, five more than second-place UB's senior forward Yassin Idbihi. Williams also is chipping in 13 points per game.

3. Kent State

Gordon: "I thought Iceland was covered with ice."

Maria: (girl from Iceland team) "No, it's very green!"

Gordon: "I thought GREENLAND was green."

Maria: "Greenland is covered with ice, and Iceland is very nice."

I don't know what this has to do with Kent State, but have you ever been to Kent, Ohio? Has anyone? There are so many rumors about the putridity of this town, yet no one really knows anything about it.

The Golden Flashes will compete for the MAC title as usual, it doesn't matter who graduates, or how many stars they have, this team continually reloads and their system works. Too bad its fans don't know this.

Best player: Junior guard Haminn Quaintance leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 12 points and just under six rebounds per game, while shooting 56 percent from the field.

4. Miami (Ohio)

Banks: "Do me a favor, kick some hawk butt."

I just couldn't resist. It's too easy. Besides Ohio, the RedHawks are the one team that I always want to beat. Plus this is one of those moments in the movie if you're not feeling all goose-pimply, then you have no heart. We all know Miami is a going to be good this year, Charlie Coles, the best coach in the MAC, won't let the team slip.

Best player: Doesn't it seem like Nathan Peavy has been in college forever? Well he's finally a senior and averages 16 points and six boards a game for the RedHawks.

5. Buffalo

Don Tibble: "Today it's Wheaties boxes. Tomorrow it's video games and action figures. The sky's the limit!"

This is for everyone who is expecting big things from the Bulls this season. I'm not completely sold on the team yet. I still think this team is a little inexperienced. If the Bulls were in the West, they would compete for the division title. Since they are in the East, I see about a .500 conference record and a second round exit for this team.

Best player: Idbihi. When he's on his game he is one of the best big men in the MAC. If Idbihi along with senior forward Parnell Smith can find a way to click so that they are both playing well at the same time, which has not happened once this season, then the Bulls will be able to pull out some upsets this season.

6. Bowling Green

Goldberg: "I think it will take a supreme individual effort, by me, Greg Goldberg."

Senior guard Martin Samarco averages 20 points per game. The next highest scoring average is 11. I'm running out of characters, or I would keep going, so let's just say the Falcons lose in the first round of the MAC Tournament.

The MAC is a difficult conference, and a .500 conference record for the Bulls would be an accomplishment. Whenever the Bulls need some inspiration, they can remember the words of Dwayne Robertson in D2, "When the roosters are crowing, and the cows are doing circles in the pasture! DUCKS FLY TOGETHER!"