RayJ Dennis is the unanimous Mid-American Conference player of the year.
The 6-foot-2 point guard averages 19.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He’s the nation’s 35th-leading scorer and 13th-best distributor.
Dennis was named the MAC player of the week five times this season and scored 20 points in eight of 18 conference games. He’s reached double figures in 43 consecutive games.
“RayJ being selected player of the year is not a surprise for anyone associated with our program,” Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk said. “He’s been unbelievably consistent and has had a fantastic year. It’s not just his numbers that are important, it’s his leadership and knowledge of the game. He’s just a winner.”
During Toledo’s 15-game win streak, Dennis is averaging 20.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals.
He’s the seventh Rocket to win the award, with Tom Kozelko winning in back-to-back years in 1972 and ‘73. Toledo’s eight MAC players of the year awards rank second to Ohio (11).
RayJ Dennis became the seventh Toledo player to be named MAC player of the year. Here are the previous six.
■ 1969: Steve Mix
■ 1972 and 1973: Tom Kozelko
■ 1980: Jim Swaney
■ 1981: Harvey Knuckles
■ 2018: Tre’Shaun Fletcher
■ 2021: Marreon Jackson
Source: utrockets.com
Kowalczyk was named MAC coach of the year for the second time in three years. He’s guided Toledo to three consecutive outright conference titles, an unprecedented accomplishment in the modern era. During that time, UT has won 72 total games and recorded a 48-9 MAC record.
This is the sixth time a Toledo coach has won coach of the year honors.
“I’ve always felt that it’s not the coach of the year but the staff of the year,” Kowalczyk said. “You can also put our assistant coaches’ wives in there as well along with my wife, Julie. They are all a part of it. We take great pride in the family atmosphere we have within our program.”
Dennis and JT Shumate were named first-team All-MAC and Setric Millner, Jr., was voted second team.
Bowling Green’s Leon Ayers III was honorable mention.
Shumate ranks as one of the nation’s top offensive players, according to KenPom. He averages 16.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. His field goal percentage (53.9) ranks 59th nationally and his 3-point percentage of 41.5 would rank 22nd if he took enough shots to be eligible.
Millner averages 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds. He’s shooting a career-best 48.9 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from 3.
Ayers averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists for the Falcons.
“Both JT and Seth are probably both worthy of first team but that's not realistic,” Kowalczyk said. “JT’s career at Toledo has been remarkable, and Seth is right there with him. I’m just happy that both of them were recognized for their production as well as the amount of winning they have been a big part of.”
Here are the complete men’s lists.
All-MAC First Team
Xavier Castaneda, Sr., G, Akron
Enrique Freeman, Jr., F, Akron
Sincere Carry, R-Sr., G, Kent State
RayJ Dennis, Jr., G, Toledo
JT Shumate, Sr., F, Toledo
All-MAC Second Team
Payton Sparks, So., C, Ball State
Jarron Coleman, R-Jr., G, Ball State
Malique Jacobs, R-Sr., G, Kent State
Setric Millner Jr., Sr., F, Toledo
Dwight Wilson III, Grad., F, Ohio
All-MAC Third Team
Jaylin Sellers, So., G, Ball State
Curtis Jones, So., G, Buffalo
Emoni Bates, So., F, Eastern Michigan
Mekhi Lairy, 5th, G, Miami
David Coit, So., G, Northern Illinois
Honorable Mention
Leon Ayers III, Sr., G, Bowling Green
Anderson Mirambeaux, Sr., F, Miami
Kaleb Thornton, Sr., G, Northern Illinois
Jaylin Hunter, Jr., G, Ohio
Lamar Norman Jr., Sr., G, Western Michigan
All-Freshman Team
Reggie Bass, G, Central Michigan
Ryan Mabrey, G, Miami
AJ Brown, G, Ohio
Elmore James G, Ohio
Seth Hubbard G, Western Michigan
All-Defensive Team
Enrique Freeman, Jr., F, Akron
Greg Tribble, Jr., G, Akron
Damarius Jacobs, Sr., G, Ball State
Malique Jacobs, R-Sr., G, Kent State
Sincere Carry, R-Sr., G, Kent State
First Published March 8, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
