The 2021-22 season for the Toledo women’s basketball team was nearly as successful as possible.
A school-record-tying 29 wins. A 19-1 Mid-American Conference record. An outright MAC championship.
But the fairy tale ended with the Rockets turning into a pumpkin at Midnight, with a loss to Ball State in the MAC tournament semifinals ending their dreams of an NCAA tournament berth.
They haven’t forgotten about it.
“I think it’s on our mind every day,” junior forward Sammi Mikonwicz said Wednesday at media day. “We’re constantly working at things in practice on mistakes we had [in Cleveland]. It motivates us 100 percent.”
UT began preparations for the 2022-23 season last week. The expectations are high not only because of last year’s dominant run through the MAC, but also because Toledo lost zero contributors while adding two high-impact transfers — guard Justina King from Long Beach State and former Akron forward Lonasia Brewer.
Brewer’s presence has already been welcomed as Hannah Noveroske’s season-ending injury thrust the newcomer into a heightened role, spotlighting the Rockets’ deep roster before the season even started.
“Our depth is crazy,” senior point guard Sophia Wiard said. “We’ve been scrimmaging a lot and nothing changes. In years before, you usually had a team that was a little more dominant. This year it’s super even. I think it’s going to make us be able to turn up on defense a little bit more. Our pressure is going to be a little bit more because we won’t be sucking wind. Being able to play a little bit more up-tempo will change things for us.”
One thing that’s certain is Toledo will be battle-tested for the MAC. The non-conference schedule is one of the best in program history, as head coach Tricia Cullop and assistant Jessie Ivey pulled off a coup by getting Duke to come to Savage Arena. UT also has home games against Missouri State and Dayton, travels to Michigan and Cincinnati, and has a neutral-site game against Penn State.
“When you play a quality opponent like a Missouri State, like a Duke, like a Dayton, like a Cincinnati, like a Penn State, like a Michigan — it’s fun to mention all those names in one sentence — we have to understand that we can’t come with a C effort and win,” Cullop said. “We’re going to have to bring an A or B effort every game to have a chance to win. And even then, it might be tough. I think that’s great for our players. When you learn how to play at a very high level for a long period of time, that’s when you have a chance to go deep in the postseason.”
And the Rockets aren’t putting all of their focus on the MAC tournament. They want to stack non-conference wins and repeat as MAC champions to give themselves a path to an at-large bid. If they need to win the conference tournament, they’re up for the challenge.
A theme for this year’s team is unfinished business. They’re eager to complete the mission that went unsolved last season.
“The coaches and players definitely held on to [the Ball State game] as the one that got away,” sophomore center Jessica Cook said. “That’s our Everest this year. We need to be the best we can be.”
How can Toledo get there? It has a head start in the continuity department. The top nine scorers, top seven 3-point shooters, top nine rebounders, and top nine distributors are all back. The chemistry factor is not to be overlooked.
“Culture is everything,” Cullop said. “I don’t think you build anything on a foundation that’s not solid. The fact that they care about each other, they’re strong character kids, they have a great work ethic, we have wonderful leadership, they communicate extremely well, you put it all together, and it’s something.”
“I get along with these girls better than I have gotten along with people in a long time,” Cook said. “I love these girls. The closeness off the court really translates on the court. There’s no toxicity. There’s no bad egg in here. There’s a big group of girls that absolutely love playing for each other. If they hold someone accountable, it’s not them being rude or mad at you. It’s just them wanting the best for you and the team.”
“The chemistry we have with each other is a huge reason why we’re able to be so successful,” Mikonowicz said. “It’s one of the closest teams I’ve ever been on. It’s a major factor in our success.”
Toledo seems to have it all — a winning coach, talented players, a collective vision, and a tight bond. All the Rockets have to do is capitalize on the opportunity and live up to the hype.
“The sky is the limit,” senior guard Quinesha Lockett said. “Adding [King and Brewer] makes us even better. It’s going to be really exciting to watch us play this year. I can’t wait.”
First Published October 5, 2022, 10:32 p.m.
