That halfway through MAC play:
* Toledo would be 14-7, 8-1 in league play and tied for 1st Place.
* Toledo would be averaging almost 80ppg.
* Toledo would be playing a regular 9 man rotation and that only 2 players (Cochran & Moss) would be averaging over 30 minutes per game.
* The 3-headed guard monster of Moss, Cochran and Maddox would be averaging a combined 45ppg
* Javon Simmons would be the leading candidate for Freshman Player of the Year.
* Ben Wight would be a nonfactor for the most part
* Central Michigan would be alone in third place at 7-2 and BG alone in fourth place at 6-3.
* Kent State tied for 8th place at 3-6 with 5 of those losses at home.
* ?
This has been wild.
I have been a huge Toledo BB fan since the Nick era. Before we were lucky enough to watch every game I did the radio thing - Jerry Keil - enough said. Between November and March BB nights were popcorn and the game via radio. I had a couple of boys who played high school ball, one ended up in the regionals and played a couple of games at Savage. It don't get any better than that.
I lost interest in baseball long ago, and football is getting there as well, but Toledo basketball is still a staple. I can't give that up. Why would you? They have a great product. Year in and year out they are competitive - even though we complain (raises hand).
As the players come and go, they all bring something new to the table, which is always fun to watch. The style, the way they mature, who contributes and who don't. This year, all juniors and freshmen; could be ugly? The big question was; where will the points come from? Now we know.
I think we are about half way through the MAC season so we know what we have (so does everybody else). This is a quality basketball program, and I think the staff this year has done a great job. This is an entirely different team from last year, yet they are right in the thick of things. This team brings things to the table some of our other successful teams didn't - an attitude - and beef to go along with it. This isn't a chuck'em up threes and get a rebound by accident kind of team. This team can run and bang (don't chuck up a bunch of 3s, you ain't that good).
Hat tip to Kyle Roland today for Tweeting something along the line of; just send the MAC Freshman of the year award to Toledo and Javon Simmons. Agree; Dude's a baller - with an attitude.
I was really optimistic early, but then there were a few clunkers (IMO), and I got unexcited (but I will always watch). So they go smoke BG and WMU looking like a well oiled machine. What do I know? Not much. But I love it. :-)
I can't wait for the Friday Akron game - prime time. The network must love this. It couldn't have played out any better - the two top teams tied for first - doing battle for MAC bragging rights (guessing we have Reghi). This should be a dandy. I'm going with 2 1/2 O/U on technicals.
Addressing; "Who would have thought before the season" - No idea what to expect, but that's why Toledo BB is so much fun. Thank you Toledo basketball.
Surprises for this longtime fan. A couple more who would have thoughts...
Lorrentsson has transformed from a somewhat uncoordiated, unathletic looking player with bad footwork to a very coordinated and effective defender - in about 6 months! His defensive footwork and his physicality has transformed in such a sort time! I have not seen anything like it. At the end of last year I thought he would be transferring down. What do I know!
Cochran continues to.improve his disruptive ways. I have never seen (except maybe at the Y), a player continually slap at the ball yet get so few fouls called. I have seldom seen any 6-2 players take on 6-10 + players and dominate them the way he does. Cochran is such a unique and amazing player. Never seen anything like him.
I wonder if Lorrentsson has dreams of a overseas paycheck? To get that, I think he would need to generate numbers as a starter next year.That is unlikely unless one of this years starters portals. Hope I am wrong - again! Hope he is a Rocket next year.
(02-01-2024 02:20 AM)UTfanBGalum Wrote: [ -> ]Surprises for this longtime fan. A couple more who would have thoughts...
Lorrentsson has transformed from a somewhat uncoordiated, unathletic looking player with bad footwork to a very coordinated and effective defender - in about 6 months! His defensive footwork and his physicality has transformed in such a sort time! I have not seen anything like it. At the end of last year I thought he would be transferring down. What do I know!
Cochran continues to.improve his disruptive ways. I have never seen (except maybe at the Y), a player continually slap at the ball yet get so few fouls called. I have seldom seen any 6-2 players take on 6-10 + players and dominate them the way he does. Cochran is such a unique and amazing player. Never seen anything like him.
I wonder if Lorrentsson has dreams of a overseas paycheck? To get that, I think he would need to generate numbers as a starter next year.That is unlikely unless one of this years starters portals. Hope I am wrong - again! Hope he is a Rocket next year.
Since he from Sweden he would have a shot as a local not a foreign roster spot.
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Biggest surprise is Kent State in 8th place
Carry was such a dynamic player, he made everyone around him so much better. Although he was not drafted by the NBA.
I did think they were capable of getting 45 points a game from Maddox, Moss and Cochran. Had no idea where they would get any other points from. Simmons had been a huge blessing also he can get those points in the post long time since we have had a post scorer. I also really like Lewis and Ford going forward.
(02-02-2024 10:09 AM)rocketpaul Wrote: [ -> ]I did think they were capable of getting 45 points a game from Maddox, Moss and Cochran. Had no idea where they would get any other points from. Simmons had been a huge blessing also he can get those points in the post long time since we have had a post scorer. I also really like Lewis and Ford going forward.
One additional thing about Moss, Maddox and Cochran is since MAC play began they have done a much better job of playing within themselves individually and not trying to force things offensively. I think this is the result of them gaining more trust in the capabilities of their teammates.