2020–21 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season

The 2020–21 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2020, followed by the start of the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2021 and concluded in March 2021. In a season limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Toledo won the regular season title with a conference record of 15-4. Ohio won the MAC tournament and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they defeated No. 4-seeded Virginia in the first round before falling to No. 5-seeded Creighton in the second round. Toledo went to the NIT where they lost to Richmond in the first round.

Preseason awards
The preseason coaches' poll and league awards were announced by the league office on November 19, 2020.

Preseason men's basketball coaches poll
(First place votes in parentheses) MAC tournament champions: Bowling Green (4), Akron (2), Ball State (1), Buffalo (1), Eastern Michigan (1), Kent State (1), Miami (1), Toledo (1)
 * 1) Bowling Green (8) 132
 * 2) Ohio (1) 117
 * 3) Akron (2) 115
 * 4) Buffalo 109
 * 5) Ball State 104
 * 6) Toledo (1) 93
 * 7) Kent State 65
 * 8) Eastern Michigan 57
 * 9) Miami 48
 * 10) Northern Illinois 43
 * 11) Central Michigan 40
 * 12) Western Michigan 13

Postseason awards

 * 1) Coach of the Year: Tod Kowalczyk, Toledo
 * 2) Player of the Year: Marreon Jackson, Toledo
 * 3) Freshman of the Year: Ryan Rollins, Toledo
 * 4) Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Mballa, Buffalo
 * 5) Sixth Man of the Year: Trey Diggs, Bowling Green