Surprisingly good post season outcome considering the quarterfinal thud to end the season. UT was projected to be in the field but wasn't really playing like it and lacked any big wins. i thought they would get snubbed. UT makes it in as one of the final at large teams. i believe it is the first NIT at large for a MAC team since the NIT went to a more transparent selection process and started giving automatic berths to conf champions who didn't make the ncaas.

xavier is very good. they started the season as a top 25 type team and ended it playing the same way. in the middle they kinda fell apart. this is a chance to beat a regional power on a down year. it is a driveable game for fans from not just toledo but all over the state, kentucky and indiana. and it gives sanford's evansville fans and friends, navigato's chicago area folks and darrington's toledo fans a chance to see their star play another big college game.

xavier is tough. they will play fast, physical and athletic like buffalo and be the 2nd best team we've faced this year. ut will need to play at the level of the UB home game to compete. that said NIT first round games are mostly about motivation. are you motivated to prepare well and quickly apply a scouting report to a team you never expected to play. can you refocus and energize after a disappointing loss and narrowly missing the ncaas (as an at large or contender for conf tourney) .

ut will need to be strong with the ball, rebound well and make jump shots to win. this is not a vintage xavier team but they got some good players who are pretty relentless and athletic. if we don't defend with energy and help they will score a lot of easy buckets. and if we do, we will need to rebound well and keep them from getting their usual bounty of 2nd chance points.

a win would probably be the biggest non-conf win in coach k's toledo career. I hope willie jackson is able to go at 100%

ToledoMBB just posted the dumbest 12 second clip of our team reacting. We are a playing a fricking road game after going 1 and done in Cleveland... Why would we be excited? And proof is in that video. Our marketing dept is strange.

(03-18-2019 12:25 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  ToledoMBB just posted the dumbest 12 second clip of our team reacting. We are a playing a fricking road game after going 1 and done in Cleveland... Why would we be excited? And proof is in that video. Our marketing dept is strange.

NIT(Not In Tournament)- says it all. They were also probably hoping for a home game. At least they get another shot.

And that's the problem with Coach's K teams, we didn't play in our own tournament, why should we care.

So we are a #6 Seed with 25 wins and Xavier is a #3 Seed with 18 wins. What is the criteria for seeds and/or who gets to host a game? Doesn't make any sense to me, but, then again, neither does the NCAA Tournament selection criteria. It certainly would be nice to knock off Xavier and Texas. Can't put the cart before the horse I guess.

GO ROCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(03-18-2019 04:46 AM)Springboromark Wrote:  And that's the problem with Coach's K teams, we didn't play in our own tournament, why should we care.

C'mon, the Rockets did play. Unfortunately, NIU normally shoots 3's at a 35% clip,
not almost 60% like they did against UT. And Rockets played their hearts out without
Fletcher last season in the MAC Tournament.

(03-18-2019 12:25 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  ToledoMBB just posted the dumbest 12 second clip of our team reacting. We are a playing a fricking road game after going 1 and done in Cleveland... Why would we be excited? And proof is in that video. Our marketing dept is strange.

https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/ut/20...0190317157

(03-18-2019 12:25 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  ToledoMBB just posted the dumbest 12 second clip of our team reacting. We are a playing a fricking road game after going 1 and done in Cleveland... Why would we be excited? And proof is in that video. Our marketing dept is strange.

Not many teams post NIT reactions, and for good reason. Not sure what Toledo was thinking when deciding to post this.

Xavier's SCHEDULE

While they had a 6 loss stretch they seemed to right the ship and string 5 straight wins together before a 4 point loss to Butler. Finally, they lost the BE Final to 'nova by 4.

Even with WJ this would be tough because Xavier has some idea how to play tournament ball and we don't seem to. Without WJ I'm gonna guess we lose by probably 25.

[quote='Toledo Football 1st' pid='15990078' dateline='1552922675']
Xavier's SCHEDULE

While they had a 6 loss stretch they seemed to right the ship and string 5 straight wins together before a 4 point loss to Butler. Finally, they lost the BE Final to 'nova by 4.

Even with WJ this would be tough because Xavier has some idea how to play tournament ball and we don't seem to. Without WJ I'm gonna guess we lose by probably 25.
[/quote

Opportunity for Edu.

reading the Blade article on the Rockets and the NIT...Coach said something to the effect that this would be a chance to "try some new combinations" and get Edu more playing time? What? Why try something new now when you are playing one of the toughest games of the year and trying to gain back a little credibility? Don't follow the thought process at all. Why didn't we get Edu more time when it counted? Oh boy...

(03-18-2019 10:52 AM)rocket 51 Wrote:  reading the Blade article on the Rockets and the NIT...Coach said something to the effect that this would be a chance to "try some new combinations" and get Edu more playing time? What? Why try something new now when you are playing one of the toughest games of the year and trying to gain back a little credibility? Don't follow the thought process at all. Why didn't we get Edu more time when it counted? Oh boy...

Edu averaged 14 minutes a game. Not bad for coming off the bench as a Freshman.

(03-18-2019 11:26 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(03-18-2019 10:52 AM)rocket 51 Wrote:  reading the Blade article on the Rockets and the NIT...Coach said something to the effect that this would be a chance to "try some new combinations" and get Edu more playing time? What? Why try something new now when you are playing one of the toughest games of the year and trying to gain back a little credibility? Don't follow the thought process at all. Why didn't we get Edu more time when it counted? Oh boy...

Edu averaged 14 minutes a game. Not bad for coming off the bench as a Freshman.

What he means is now that an NCAA bid is not on the line it is time to see if Luke and AJ can play together to see if we can do this next year

edu has 17 rebounds and 22 blocks. rockets win by 1 on a marreon jackson 3 pointer. no one dunks in warmups.

As both a Cincinnati (2x Alma Mater) and Toledo (hometown) fan...I hope we annihilate them...

Xavier a 5 point favorite.

Interesting if you look at teams like W. Virginia, Kent, Marshal, Depaul playing in the CIT and Insider tournaments, lower level tournaments. Their coaches feel like it's a chance to develop players, get extra work, experience, experiment, etc.

I think UT has traditionally turned those opportunities down as BGSU did this year.

Injury update for Toledo: The Rockets will be without Willie Jackson, Marreon Jackson, and Dylan Anderson for the NIT game vs. Xavier. Willie is in the concussion protocol. Marreon has a torn labrum that requires surgery and could be out 4 months. Alderson has a bad ankle sprain.

(03-19-2019 11:06 AM)adunifon Wrote:  Injury update for Toledo: The Rockets will be without Willie Jackson, Marreon Jackson, and Dylan Anderson for the NIT game vs. Xavier. Willie is in the concussion protocol. Marreon has a torn labrum that requires surgery and could be out 4 months. Alderson has a bad ankle sprain.

Will Darrington start at PG in place of Marreon? Will Littleson or Edu start in place of Willie?