CLEVELAND — Two months have passed since Toledo and Ohio University last met.
It seems like a lifetime ago for the Bobcats, who have only lost two games dating to January 8.
When they get together Friday, the loser will go home ruing what might have been as both teams are just 80 minutes from an NCAA tournament berth.
Who: No. 1 seed Toledo (21-7) vs. No. 5 seed Ohio (14-7)
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
When: Friday, March 12, 5 p.m. ET
Point spread: Toledo by 3½
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: WSPD 1370 AM
Follow: Kyle Rowland
Projected starters
■ Toledo: Marreon Jackson (18.0 ppg), Spencer Littleson (13.6 ppg), Ryan Rollins (13.8 ppg), J.T. Shumate (11.7 ppg), Setric Millner Jr. (12.4 ppg).
■ Ohio: Jason Preston (15.4 ppg), Ben Roderick (12.3 ppg), Dwight Wilson III (15.2 ppg), Ben Vander Plas (12.5 ppg), Lunden McDay (10.4 ppg).
Scouting report
Jason Preston, OU’s sensational junior guard, did not play in the first meeting between Toledo and Ohio. His presence is not insignificant as he averages a team-high 15.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. And then there’s forward Dwight Wilson III, whose field goal percentage is second best nationally.
Toledo was light’s out in the January game, shooting 61.8 percent from the field and limiting OU to a season-low 32 first-half points. The second matchup figures to even out, producing a worthy game for the stage.
Prediction
■ Kyle Rowland: Ohio is on a tear, winning seven of its past eight games, a few by wide margins. Of course, the Bobcats have done that over nearly two months because of coronavirus issues. They appear to be playing their best basketball, but after UT’s Thursday thriller against Ball State, a hint of destiny is appearing. Marreon Jackson will drag the Rockets to the MAC championship game. Toledo, 81-77.
■ David Briggs: A matchup between the top two offensive teams in the league should be fun. But as long as Toledo plays loose and with confidence — and I believe it will after discovering new life in its grind-it-out escape Thursday — the Rockets should have enough. Toledo 84-79.
Warm-up reading
How has Toledo’s persistent March nightmare spanned four decades?
UT freshman Rollins plays like a veteran
Survive and advance: Toledo men beat Ball State in OT
First Published March 12, 2021, 6:15 p.m.
