Prior to the 2020-21 college basketball season, the Mid-American Conference released its men’s basketball coaches poll.
There were few surprises. Top to bottom, the rankings were as expected. But down at No. 6 sat Toledo, with a lonely first-place vote.
It was revealed later in the season that UT coach Tod Kowalczyk supplied the Rockets with their championship vote. A few months later, he looked like Nostradamus after Toledo won the MAC title by two games.
The 2021-22 poll made its public debut on Wednesday, and Toledo has one vote again.
Guess who?
“I like our team,” Kowalczyk said. “I like our culture. I like where we’re at. Do we need to stay healthy and keep improving? Absolutely. But the maturity level of this group is very high. The chemistry is great. I believe in them.”
Toledo was picked third, behind Buffalo, which garnered 11 of 12 first-place votes, and Ohio. The MAC tournament picks differed, with Buffalo receiving eight votes and Toledo, Bowling Green, Kent State, and Miami each getting one.
The Rockets open the season next Tuesday at Valparaiso.
“Our team has been really close thus far, and we’ve had a lot of guys coming together immediately, which has been nice to see,” junior forward J.T. Shumate said. “I think we have a really good chance to be a tight-knit group.”
Shumate (11.3 points per game, 4.4 rebounds) is one of three returning starters from last season’s 21-win team, along with MAC freshman of the year Ryan Rollins (13.7 points, 5.2 rebounds) and junior forward Setric Millner, Jr. (12.9 points, 6.8 rebounds). Boise State transfer point guard RayJ Dennis (8.6 points, 2.9 assists) started 25 games for the Broncos.
A talented recruiting class has already received positive reviews and considerable praise. But the addition of Dennis, a pass-first point guard who can score, is more noteworthy. In an offense that’s heavy on movement and efficiency, Dennis fits like a puzzle piece.
“You can tell there’s a very serious and competitive culture. That’s what I love,” Dennis said. “I feel like I fit in immediately. With Seth, J.T., and Ryan, it makes my job easier because those guys are great scorers and offensive players.”
In UT’s two exhibition games, Dennis played 62 minutes, shooting 10 of 16 from the field with three 3s, six assists, five rebounds, and four turnovers. He was plus-15 at Findlay, a game Toledo only won by five points and trailed for more than 32 minutes.
“It took no time at all for RayJ to fit into our team,” Shumate said. “He’s extremely competitive. One of the most competitive guys we have. He’s more of a traditional point guard in that he’s trying to find people. I love his competitive fire.”
Rollins, who received preseason first team All-MAC honors, is the star, building upon his rookie of the year campaign last season. He’s been virtually unstoppable in UT’s two exhibition games against Division II schools. A smooth style and deliberate pacing add a certain pizzazz to Rollins’ game, which is already attractive to NBA scouts.
“I feel good, but there’s more of a target on my back and I need to be more of a leader this year,” said Rollins, who’s hoping to improve his 3-point shooting. “We lost two seniors who were our two best players.”
It’s all moot for Kowalczyk, who trusts his team and has faith that they’ll make him look like the smartest guy in the room for a second consecutive season.
“There has to be one smart guy on the poll,” Kowalczyk said, with his trademark smirk.
First Published November 3, 2021, 5:57 p.m.
