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.
They opened their season by beating #4 Kansas and #3 UCLA before losing to #1 Duke in the final.
[2] There they defeated Oklahoma State, Alabama, and Pittsburgh before losing to then eventual national runner-up Indiana Hoosiers in the Elite Eight.
[3][4][5][6] The preseason poll was announced by the league office on October 25, 2001.