The 2015–16 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season began with practices in October 2015, followed by the start of the 2015–16 NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2016 and concluded in March 2016. Ohio won its second straight regular season title with a record of 16–2 by two games over Central Michigan. Nathalie Fontaine of Ball State was named MAC player of the year.
Top-seeded Ohio entered the MAC tournament as the defending champion. Both of its conference losses had come against eight-seeded Buffalo. The young Bulls defeated #9 seed Bowling Green and then upset Ohio for a third time that season in the quarter-final. Buffalo then defeated fifth-seeded Akron and regular season runner-up Central Michigan to win the tournament championship. Buffalo lost to Ohio State in the NCAA tournament. Ohio, Central Michigan, Ball State, and Akron all qualified for the WNIT.
Preseason awards
The preseason coaches' poll and league awards were announced by the league office on October 27, 2015.
Preseason women's basketball coaches poll
(First place votes in parentheses)
East Division
Ohio (12) Akron Bowling Green Miami Buffalo Kent State
West Division
Eastern Michigan (4) Ball State (8) Western Michigan Toledo Central Michigan Northern Illinois
Regular Season Champion
Ohio (10), Ball State (1), Eastern Michigan (1)
Tournament champs
Ohio (5), Ball State (3), Eastern Michigan (3), Buffalo (1)
Honors
Postseason
Mid–American tournament
NCAA tournament
Women's National Invitational Tournament
Postseason awards
Coach of the Year: Sue Guevara, Central Michigan
Player of the Year: Nathalie Fontaine, Ball State
Freshman of the Year: Presley Hudson, Central Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: Quiera Lampkins, Ohio
Sixth Man of the Year: Jewel Cotton, Central Michigan and Kaayla McIntyre, Toledo