The 2016–17 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2016, followed by the start of the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November.

Conference play began in January 2017 and concluded in March 2017.

Akron won the regular season title with a conference record of 14–4 over a cluster of four teams tied at 11–7.

Sixth-seeded Kent State upset Akron in the MAC tournament final and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they lost to UCLA in the first round.

[3] (First place votes in parentheses) Akron (15), Ohio (11), Eastern Michigan (3), Buffalo (2), NIU (2), Central Michigan (1), Kent State (1), Miami (1).