Toledo warmed up in the Championship Ts with the three MAC trophies on it. Bold move, but I think it's a new era. Simmons and Cochran weren't scared. Losing to them is old news.

Kent may not finish as a top 4 team if they don't win some while their guys are out.

Know it’s a down year in the MAC but it’s nice to start 3-0 with 2 wins on the road against historically tough opponents.

(01-09-2024 09:24 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Toledo warmed up in the Championship Ts with the three MAC trophies on it. Bold move, but I think it's a new era. Simmons and Cochran weren't scared. Losing to them is old news.

Kent may not finish as a top 4 team if they don't win some while their guys are out.

Watching tonight makes you realize how much better carry and Jacobs made some of those other dudes.

Great win to snap a 4 game losing streak to Kent! They answered every Kent run and had 6 players in double figures!

Maybe that tough non conference schedule got us prepared to come out of gates rocking and rolling at 3-0 with home games against 1-2 Ball St and dumpster fire Buffalo coming up! Excellent overall game on both ends of the court other than the 15 turnovers that thankfully did not cost us tonight. Balanced scoring with 6 players in double figures with outstanding shooting from both the field and foul line. It is just one game against our nemesis Kent St, but getting 89 points, shooting 13 more free throws and outrebounding them by 7, maybe is a sign that we are not going to be intimidated this season by their physicality which has hurt us in past seasons!

Agree.

Without the many early turnovers, and some lapses in the second half, this would have been an epic blowout. If my memory serves me, Santiago has been a nemesis in the past but not tonight. Toledo played good D from the start, and passed the ball around as good as they have all year - 89 points. As in Coach K's philosophy; if we move the ball around nobody can guard us. We also got drives and assists at key times. Well done.

Simmons continues to impress, and as stated above, Andre has shown some great improvement. He can be a huge help with his size, developing physicality, and a sweet shot. Wilson had a nice game - good to see. Moss, Maddox, and Cochran did what they do. Tough group to defend - then post up Simmons.

I hope Cochran is OK. Coach said after the game they are a little dinged up but will be fine. If they keep passing the ball around like they did tonight, keep getting help from the bench, they will be a tough out in Cleveland.

Good coaching. Did not panic after the frustrating start. Once shots started falling seemed like our competitiveness took over.

personally, missed a lot of the action cuz I saw it listed on ESPN+ and was gonna watch the replay.

you go as far as your best players take you for the most part. our top guys are playing pretty well. Simmons and Cochran a combined 14-16 from the floor. Kent does not have the defensive toughness they typically count on. They're expecting Hornbeak and Gillespie (their other 2 bigs) back for the stretch run and will be a tougher out later on most likely.

Lawd, I miss JT Shumate.

(01-10-2024 04:58 AM)pono Wrote:  Lawd, I miss JT Shumate.

We all did last year as well - during the MACC tournament games in the semis and finals. Last year he scored 17 in the first game, then 9 in the 2nd game and 5 in the championship game loss to Kent.

Had 12 the prior year in the semi-final game when they lost to Akron I believe.

Had 8 points scored in the semi-final loss to Ohio in 2021.

He averaged 8.5 ppg in the MAC championship games - after the first round. He averaged 15.0 ppg in the first round of the tourney - which approximated his 14.5 average ppg for his career at Toledo.

Not a knock on him as a player. It happens. Being a good shooter can disappear fast if you miss a couple of shots early, then let it get in your head. He didn't miss a lot of shots - but he stopped taking them.

My point is that from what I am seeing so far with this team is a bunch of guys that do not seem like they will be intimidated or reluctant to step into the fray to get points or rebounds. They can hit the 3, but they don't rely on it.

In the loss to Kent last year to Kent in the final, JT only took 5 shots (1-5 - 3-3 from the line). He had 3 fouls, 3 boards, 1 turnover in 34 minutes. They shut him down. Milner and Ray J with 25 each, Moss chipping in with 8. Kent outscored Toledo 58-44 in the second half, winning big 93-78.

I was curious so I had to look. Brings back bad memories so now I wish I hadn't.

(01-09-2024 11:04 PM)Basketball Jones Wrote:  Maybe that tough non conference schedule got us prepared to come out of gates rocking and rolling at 3-0 with home games against 1-2 Ball St and dumpster fire Buffalo coming up! Excellent overall game on both ends of the court other than the 15 turnovers that thankfully did not cost us tonight. Balanced scoring with 6 players in double figures with outstanding shooting from both the field and foul line. It is just one game against our nemesis Kent St, but getting 89 points, shooting 13 more free throws and outrebounding them by 7, is a sign that we are not going to be intimidated this season by their physicality which has hurt us in past seasons!

Great win for UT!!!! Awesome take-down on road. No doubt who was better team tonight. Very happy for this team!!!!

3-0 a darn good start. Love it.

Hope TC is okay.

Great win by a gritty team.

(01-10-2024 06:22 AM)MotoRocket Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 04:58 AM)pono Wrote:  Lawd, I miss JT Shumate.

We all did last year as well - during the MACC tournament games in the semis and finals. Last year he scored 17 in the first game, then 9 in the 2nd game and 5 in the championship game loss to Kent.

Had 12 the prior year in the semi-final game when they lost to Akron I believe.

Had 8 points scored in the semi-final loss to Ohio in 2021.

He averaged 8.5 ppg in the MAC championship games - after the first round. He averaged 15.0 ppg in the first round of the tourney - which approximated his 14.5 average ppg for his career at Toledo.

Not a knock on him as a player. It happens. Being a good shooter can disappear fast if you miss a couple of shots early, then let it get in your head. He didn't miss a lot of shots - but he stopped taking them.

My point is that from what I am seeing so far with this team is a bunch of guys that do not seem like they will be intimidated or reluctant to step into the fray to get points or rebounds. They can hit the 3, but they don't rely on it.

Shumate had a great career and was a major contributor to the Rockets success the past 3 seasons. But, for whatever reason, in last year's Tourney Finals against Kent St. he seemed very tentative the entire game which really hurt the Rockets which relied on the "Big 3" to carry them. I'm sure Kent's "physical" style defense played a part in his performance but only attempting 5 shots really put Toledo behind the 8 ball!

(01-10-2024 01:43 PM)Basketball Jones Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 06:22 AM)MotoRocket Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 04:58 AM)pono Wrote:  Lawd, I miss JT Shumate.

We all did last year as well - during the MACC tournament games in the semis and finals. Last year he scored 17 in the first game, then 9 in the 2nd game and 5 in the championship game loss to Kent.

Had 12 the prior year in the semi-final game when they lost to Akron I believe.

Had 8 points scored in the semi-final loss to Ohio in 2021.

He averaged 8.5 ppg in the MAC championship games - after the first round. He averaged 15.0 ppg in the first round of the tourney - which approximated his 14.5 average ppg for his career at Toledo.

Not a knock on him as a player. It happens. Being a good shooter can disappear fast if you miss a couple of shots early, then let it get in your head. He didn't miss a lot of shots - but he stopped taking them.

My point is that from what I am seeing so far with this team is a bunch of guys that do not seem like they will be intimidated or reluctant to step into the fray to get points or rebounds. They can hit the 3, but they don't rely on it.

Shumate had a great career and was a major contributor the Rockets success the past 3 seasons. But, for whatever reason, in last year's Tourney Finals against Kent St. he seemed very tentative the entire game which really hurt the Rockets which relied on the "Big 3" to carry them. I'm sure Kent's "physical" style defense played a part in his performance but only attempting 5 shots really put Toledo behind the 8 ball!

Interesting responses, I do remember him disappearing in a couple big games but my comment came from how under appreciated his defense was and how the threat of his 3 point shooting opened up space for Maddox Milner etc. I love how simmons defends but Lorentsson Wight Brcic lack Shumates ability to protect the rim without fouling.

JT was a great player, with great basketball instincts as well. In the right place most of the time, made plays, above average shooter, and a plus on any team. Once again, he was playing out of position. He's not a legit 5. He wasn't a post up guy. He got pushed around and posted up.

Imagine a Nathan Boothe or Casey Shaw about right now?

(01-10-2024 07:30 PM)Screwball Wrote:  JT was a great player, with great basketball instincts as well. In the right place most of the time, made plays, above average shooter, and a plus on any team. Once again, he was playing out of position. He's not a legit 5. He wasn't a post up guy. He got pushed around and posted up.

Imagine a Nathan Boothe or Casey Shaw about right now?

I'll take a Mix, Swaney, Miller, or Epperson.

Boothe would be amazing. Pairing Simmons with an actual big who can shoot is ideal. Maybe, Owinga can be that but may not have the strength.

Funny, ain't it. Toledo gets some really good players but not enough at the same time. You never know. Some develop, some don't. You don't know that when you recruit them.

With a senior Nathan Boothe this year, given the supporting cast, they walk through the MAC. But now I'm dreaming... Kinda fun. :-)

At Boca: yea, me too, but many don't remember those teams, and how good they were. I'm old, remember those days, have a bucket list... 1980. Been way too long.

(01-10-2024 08:39 PM)pono Wrote:  Boothe would be amazing. Pairing Simmons with an actual big who can shoot is ideal. Maybe, Owinga can be that but may not have the strength.

You told us about Simmons long ago, and you were spot on. He has been a dandy. Every game he continues to do impressive things. They are playing 5 freshman - look for signs of what they can do - he is a flashing billboard. He does so many things well, and intense at the same time. Needs to board better as grandma told him.

I would not be surprised if he doesn't finish here.

(01-10-2024 08:09 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 07:30 PM)Screwball Wrote:  JT was a great player, with great basketball instincts as well. In the right place most of the time, made plays, above average shooter, and a plus on any team. Once again, he was playing out of position. He's not a legit 5. He wasn't a post up guy. He got pushed around and posted up.

Imagine a Nathan Boothe or Casey Shaw about right now?

I'll take a Mix, Swaney, Miller, or Epperson.

Heck I would take Craig Sutters

Thought about Barry Sonnenberg and decided against it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(01-11-2024 09:27 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 08:09 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 07:30 PM)Screwball Wrote:  JT was a great player, with great basketball instincts as well. In the right place most of the time, made plays, above average shooter, and a plus on any team. Once again, he was playing out of position. He's not a legit 5. He wasn't a post up guy. He got pushed around and posted up.

Imagine a Nathan Boothe or Casey Shaw about right now?

I'll take a Mix, Swaney, Miller, or Epperson.

Heck I would take Craig Sutters

Thought about Barry Sonnenberg and decided against it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Boothe is the only one I see helping us. Those other guys are all like 50-75.

(01-11-2024 10:15 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(01-11-2024 09:27 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 08:09 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 07:30 PM)Screwball Wrote:  JT was a great player, with great basketball instincts as well. In the right place most of the time, made plays, above average shooter, and a plus on any team. Once again, he was playing out of position. He's not a legit 5. He wasn't a post up guy. He got pushed around and posted up.

Imagine a Nathan Boothe or Casey Shaw about right now?

I'll take a Mix, Swaney, Miller, or Epperson.

Heck I would take Craig Sutters

Thought about Barry Sonnenberg and decided against it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Boothe is the only one I see helping us. Those other guys are all like 50-75.

Too good!!!!!!! Great line !