Javan Simmons and Isaiah Adams Named to Preseason All-MAC Squads

TOLEDO, Ohio - The Mid-American Conference released its annual men's basketball preseason poll on Tuesday and four-time defending league champion Toledo has been picked to finish fourth, according to voting from the league's 12 head coaches. In addition to the team predictions, sophomore Javan Simmons and senior transfer Isaiah Adams were named to the Preseason All-MAC First and Second Team squads, respectively.

Ohio was predicted to win the league by the head coaches, receiving 11 of 12 first-place votes and 121 points. Akron was picked to finish second with 106 points, followed closely by Kent State (99 pts.) and the Rockets (95 pts.).

Toledo was one of three programs to receive a vote to capture the MAC Tournament title at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on March 13-15. The Bobcats received a league-best eight votes to win the tournament.

Simmons was a unanimous selection for MAC Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg, while Adams tallied 12.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 3.7 apg at Buffalo.

The Rockets, who have not been picked to win the MAC in each of the last four years, are looking to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive league crown. They are the only current MAC program ever to win four straight outright league titles. Toledo is returning two starters from last year's squad that posted a 20-12 overall record and 14-4 league mark.

Toledo's regular season begins on Monday, Nov. 4 when it travels to Alabama to battle Troy in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. The Rockets open MAC play on Saturday, Jan. 4 with a trip to Kalamazoo, Mich. for a noon matchup vs. the Broncos.

Season and individual game tickets for the men's basketball program are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Rocket Athletic Ticket Office at the Sullivan Athletic Complex in Savage Arena, contact the Rocket Athletic Ticket Office at 419-530-GOLD (4653) or go online to UTRockets.com/tix.

2024-25 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Team (First Place Votes)
1. Ohio (11) – 121
2. Akron (1) – 106
3. Kent State – 99
4. TOLEDO – 95
5. Bowling Green – 73
6. Miami – 72
7. Ball State – 67
8. Central Michigan – 55
9. Eastern Michigan – 36
10. Western Michigan – 33
11. Northern Illinois – 24
12. Buffalo – 11
Tournament Champion: Ohio (8), Kent State (3), TOLEDO (1)

2024-25 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-MAC Teams
First Team
Payton Sparks, Sr., Center, Ball State
Anthony Pritchard, Sr., Guard, Central Michigan
VonCameron Davis, Sr., Forward, Kent State
AJ Clayton, Sr., Forward, Ohio
Javan Simmons, So., Forward, Toledo

Second Team
Isaiah Gray, Sr., Guard, Akron
Jalen Sullinger, Sr., Guard, Kent State
Shereef Mitchell, Gr., Guard, Ohio
AJ Brown, So., Guard, Ohio
Isaiah Adams, Sr., Guard, Toledo

Javan Simmons and Isaiah Adams Named to Preseason All-MAC Squads

Players Mentioned

Isaiah Adams

Javan Simmons

Footer