The University of Toledo men’s basketball team held its media day Tuesday. The Rockets will open their season Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Valparaiso.
Here are 10 things to know about Toledo basketball as the 2019-20 season quickly approaches:
1. Core four is ready to lead
Returning a large group of upperclassmen is not a luxury enjoyed by most college basketball teams, even at the mid-major level. Toledo returns a core of four players with a great deal of experience with the program in seniors Luke Knapke and Willie Jackson, as well as juniors Marreon Jackson and Spencer Littleson. Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk said this is one of the best upperclassmen groups he has had in terms of leadership ability.
2. Returning firepower
Toledo, like many teams in the Mid-American Conference, is losing some key pieces from last season and some scoring punch in program mainstays Jaelan Sanford and Nate Navigato, as well as Tennessee transfer and Toledo native Chris Darrington. But Toledo does return 51 percent of its scoring led by Marreon Jackson (11.7 points per game) and Knapke (10.5). The Rockets also return 75.3 percent of their rebounding, and 57.8 percent of their assists.
3. Willie Jackson is the leading returning rebounder in the MAC
Willie Jackson averaged 8.9 rebounds per game last season and is the top returning rebounder in the conference. Rebounding has become a hallmark of Jackson's game and is something he enjoys doing. “I love it,” Jackson said. “I'd pass up 20 shots to go get 20 rebounds. At the end of the day, 20 points might look good, but it's hard as hell to get 20 rebounds.”
4. Marreon Jackson is the leading returning assist man in the MAC
Marreon Jackson averaged 4.2 assists per game last season and is the top returner in the conference in that category. Big things are expected for the junior from Cleveland. Both Willie Jackson and Kowalczyk said Marreon Jackson has the looks of an All-MAC player this season.
5. The man in the middle
Knapke is one of the top returning centers in the league and has developed into a good inside-outside threat with a much-improved 3-point shot. Kowalczyk said he believes Knapke will be an all-conference-caliber player this season after averaging 10.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He is also the last line of defense for Toledo and tied a single-season UT record with 60 blocks as a sophomore.
6. Littleson steps into bigger role
Littleson is a transfer from Duquesne who had a redshirt season two years ago with Toledo before playing all of the 2018-19 season. Much more is expected of Littleson, now a junior leader. Willie Jackson called Littleson the most improved player by far. “You can't go wrong with Spencer,” Jackson said. “Everybody needs a Spencer on their team.”
7. Dylan Alderson should be fifth starter
The core four of Knapke, Willie Jackson, Marreon Jackson, and Littleson bring back a ton of experience, but Alderson might be the key as the final piece to the starting lineup. “This is a huge offseason for Dylan,” Littleson said. “Dylan has improved his game tremendously. He's scoring the ball really well.”
8. Freshmen look to make mark
Toledo welcomes in four true freshmen this season: Aaron Etherington, Mattia Acunzo, Donavan Moore, and Luke Maranka. Each will be looking to contribute in bench roles this season. Acunzo is dealing with a foot injury and could be cleared to play in the season opener. “The freshmen are moving along really well,” Littleson said. “I think we will have to wait and see how they play when the games come, but they are looking really good right now.”
9. Redshirt freshmen
Keshaun Saunders and T.J. Smith are in the rotation mix after redshirting last season. Saunders should be the first player off the bench and provides scoring punch. Smith, a versatile and athletic forward, will look earn some minutes off the bench, as well.
10. AJ Edu injury hurts overall depth
Kowalczyk said the team will have to develop some of the younger players into valuable rotation pieces with the loss of Edu for the season after he tore his ACL playing for the Philippines in the FIBA U19 World Cup this summer. Edu will redshirt this season and come back next year with sophomore eligibility. “Losing AJ for the season takes away some of our versatility,” Kowalczyk said. “We'll figure out a way and we'll grow our depth as the season goes on.”
First Published October 22, 2019, 7:02 p.m.
