2008–09 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season

The 2008–09 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2008, followed by the start of the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2009 and concluded in March 2009. Bowling Green and Buffalo shared the regular season title with a conference record of 11–5. Fifth-seeded Akron defeated Buffalo in the MAC tournament final and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Gonzaga.

Preseason awards
The preseason poll was announced by the league office on October 30, 2008.

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

East Division

 * 1) Kent State (16) 124
 * 2)  (6) 109
 * 3) Bowling Green 70
 * 4) Akron 67
 * 5) Ohio 66
 * 6) Buffalo 35

West Division

 * 1) Western Michigan (15) 122
 * 2) Eastern Michigan (7) 105
 * 3) Central Michigan 79
 * 4)  71
 * 5) Ball State 55
 * 6) Northern Illinois 39

Tournament champs
Kent State (11), Miami (7), Bowling Green (2), Eastern Michigan (2)

Postseason awards

 * 1) Coach of the Year: Louis Orr, Bowling Green
 * 2) Player of the Year: Michael Bramos, Miami
 * 3) Freshman of the Year: Jarrod Jones, Ball State
 * 4) Defensive Player of the Year: Nate Linhart, Akron
 * 5) Sixth Man of the Year: Brett McKnight, Akron