# 2002–03 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season

The 2002–03 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2002, followed by the start of the 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2003 and concluded in March 2003. Central Michigan won the regular season title with a conference record of 14–4 by two games over second-place Kent State. Central Michigan defeated Kent State in the MAC tournament final and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament. There they defeated Creighton in the first round before losing to Duke.

## Preseason awards

The preseason poll was announced by the league office on October 24, 2002.

### Preseason men's basketball poll

(First place votes in parentheses)

#### East Division

* Ohio (22) 199
* Miami (5) 166
* Kent State (7) 155
* Marshall (1) 94
* Akron (1) 89
* Buffalo 58

#### West Division

* Ball State (33) 249
* Western Michigan 191
* Toledo (3) 155
* Northern Illinois 126
* Bowling Green 117
* Central Michigan 113
* Eastern Michigan 50

### Honors

| Honor | Recipient |
| Preseason All-MAC East | Brandon Hunter, Ohio |
| Preseason All-MAC East | Antonio Gates, Kent State |
| Preseason All-MAC East | Andy Hipsher, Akron |
| Preseason All-MAC East | Ronald Blackshear, Marshall |
| Preseason All-MAC East | Juby Johnson, Miami |
| Preseason All-MAC West | Theron Smith, Ball State |
| Preseason All-MAC West | Chris Kaman, Central Michigan |
| Preseason All-MAC West | Ricky Cottrill, Eastern Michigan |
| Preseason All-MAC West | Nick Moore, Toledo |
| Preseason All-MAC West | Robby Collum, Western Michigan |

## Postseason
### Postseason awards

* Coach of the Year: Jay Smith, Central Michigan
* Player of the Year: Chris Kaman, Central Michigan
* Freshman of the Year: Sammy Villegas, Toledo
* Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Kaman, Central Michigan
* Sixth Man of the Year: Whitney Robinson, Central Michigan

### Honors

| Honor | Recipient |
| Postseason All-MAC First Team | Chris Williams, Ball State |
| Postseason All-MAC First Team | Chris Kaman, Central Michigan |
| Postseason All-MAC First Team | Antonio Gates, Kent State |
| Postseason All-MAC First Team | Marcus Smallwood, Northern Illinois |
| Postseason All-MAC First Team | Brandon Hunter, Ohio |
| Postseason All-MAC Second Team | Derrick Tarver, Akron |
| Postseason All-MAC Second Team | Mike Manciel, Central Michigan |
| Postseason All-MAC Second Team | Ryan Prillman, Eastern Michigan |
| Postseason All-MAC Second Team | Ronald Blackshear, Marshall |
| Postseason All-MAC Second Team | Juby Johnson, Miami |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Johnny Hollingsworth, Akron |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Kevin Netter, Bowling Green |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Turner Battle, Buffalo |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | J.R. Wallace, Central Michigan |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Eric Haut, Miami |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | P.J. Smith, Northern Illinois |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Nick Moore, Toledo |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Keith Triplett, Toledo |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Robby Collum, Western Michigan |
| Postseason All-MAC Honorable Mention | Anthony Kann, Western Michigan |
| All-MAC Freshman Team | Sammy Villegas, Toledo |
| All-MAC Freshman Team | Ron Lewis, Bowling Green |
| All-MAC Freshman Team | Josh Hausfeld, Miami |
| All-MAC Freshman Team | DeAndre Haynes, Kent State |
| All-MAC Freshman Team | Todd Peterson, Northern Illinois |