2001–02 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season

The 2001–02 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2001, followed by the start of the 2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2002 and concluded in March 2002. Ball State was the runner-up in the 2001 Maui Invitational Tournament. They opened their season by beating #4 Kansas and #3 UCLA before losing to #1 Duke in the final.

Kent State won the regular season title with a conference record of 17–1 by five games over second-place Ball State and Bowling Green. Kent State defeated Bowling Green in the MAC tournament final and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament. There they defeated Oklahoma State, Alabama, and Pittsburgh before losing to then eventual national runner-up Indiana Hoosiers in the Elite Eight.

Preseason awards
The preseason poll was announced by the league office on October 25, 2001.

Preseason men's basketball poll
(First place votes in parentheses)

East Division

 * 1) Kent State (31) 313
 * 2)  (7) 261
 * 3) Ohio (5) 231
 * 4)  (6) 218
 * 5)  107
 * 6)  52
 * 1)  52

West Division

 * 1)  (30) 270
 * 2)  (17) 248
 * 3)  (2) 210
 * 4)  126
 * 5)  103
 * 6) Eastern Michigan 74

Postseason awards

 * 1) Coach of the Year: Stan Heath, Kent State
 * 2) Player of the Year: Keith McLeod, Bowling Green
 * 3) Freshman of the Year: Ben Reed, Western Michigan
 * 4) Defensive Player of the Year: Demetric Shaw, Kent State