The 2010–11 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2010, followed by the start of the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2011 and concluded in March 2011. Kent State won the regular season title with a conference record of 12–4. Sixth-seeded Akron defeated Kent State in the MAC tournament final in overtime and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Notre Dame.
Preseason awards
The preseason poll and league awards were announced by the league office on October 28, 2010.
Preseason men's basketball poll
(First place votes in parentheses)
East Division
Ohio 128 (12) Kent State 114 (8) Akron 104 (4) Miami 84 42 Buffalo 32
West Division
124 (12) 122 (8) Eastern Michigan 88 (2) Western Michigan 68 Northern Illinois 64 (2) 38 points
Tournament champs
Ohio (10), Kent State (6), Central Michigan (4), Ball State (2), Akron (2)