Thursday, March 12
Cleveland, Ohio
Approx. 1:30 p.m. (30 Minutes After Game 1 Conclusion)
University of Toledo
vs
#5 Bowling Green
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
Freshman Leroy Blyden Jr. and the Rockets will open the MAC Tournament vs. Bowling Green on Thursday.
Photo by: ©2025 The University of Toledo
Toledo to Face Bowling Green on Thursday in MAC Quarterfinals at Rocket Arena
3/10/2026 1:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
No. 4 seed Rockets split two meetings this season with No. 5 seed Falcons
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo men's basketball team (17-14, 11-7 MAC) opens play in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament as the No. 4 seed on Thursday, March 12 against No. 5 seed Bowling Green (18-13, 9-9 MAC). The contest will be televised on ESPN+ and tip off in Cleveland's Rocket Arena at approximately 1:30 p.m. (Thirty minutes after Miami's game vs. UMass.)
The Rockets have earned a Top Four seed in the MAC Tournament for a sixth consecutive season after finishing two games ahead of the Falcons in the league standings. UT split its two meetings vs. BG this season, posting a 73-72 home win on Jan. 24 and dropping an 80-70 road decision on Feb. 14.
Sonny Wilson scored a team-high 24 points and Leroy Blyden Jr. tallied 20 points, a season-high 13 assists and seven rebounds to lead Toledo to a dominating 99-78 Senior Night victory over Buffalo last Friday.
The Rockets shot 60.3% from the field, including a blistering 74.2% in the second half. Wilson spearheaded the Rockets' shooting efficiency, finishing 10-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range. Blyden was 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range, and his 13 assists were one shy of the school record as well as the most by a Rocket in 44 years. Mynor Strong also had a big night with a career-high 18 points and four triples.
The Rockets are led by the backcourt duo of Wilson (17.4 ppg) and Blyden (16.2 ppg) along with the frontcourt tandem of Sean Craig (11.6 ppg) and Austin Parks (10.8 ppg). Blyden leads all MAC freshmen in scoring, while Wilson is dishing out a team-high 4.5 apg.
Bowling Green brings a two-game winning streak into the tournament after posting wins over UMass (81-62) and at Eastern Michigan (77-69) to snap a three-game losing streak. Javonte Campbell leads the Falcons with 18.8 ppg. Sam Towns (12.0 ppg), Josiah Shackelford (11.4 ppg), and Mayar Wol (10.6 ppg) are also scoring in double digits.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Tip-Off: Approximately 1:30 p.m. (30 minutes after Game One)
Location: Toledo, Ohio.
Arena: Rocket Arena (19,432).
Streaming: ESPN+. Michael Reghi will provide play-by-play for broadcast with Rhett Boyd serving as analyst.
Radio: Rocket Radio Network. WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier will provide play-by-play for broadcast with Jay Lehman serving as analyst.
POST TOUCHES
• Toledo ranks FIRST in the MAC in league play with a 1.60 assist/turnover ratio, and 9.6 turnovers per game, tied for FIRST with a plus-2.1 turnover margin, SECOND with a 75.9 FT%, 7.6 spg, and THIRD with a 49.1 FG%, a 37.8 three-point FG%, 15.4 apg, and +4.8 scoring margin.
• Toledo has held its opponents to 72.5 ppg, a 43.9 FG% and a 33.5 3PTFG% since Mynor Strong was inserted into the starting lineup on Jan. 31. UT was allowing 78.3 ppg, a 48.1 FG% and a 35.1 3PTFG% prior to that lineup change.
• Toledo has committed 10 or fewer turnovers in EIGHT straight games with 7.4/gm in this stretch.
• Sonny Wilson has scored in double digits in 47 of 48 games. The only game he didn't score in double figures was vs. Bowling Green (Jan. 24). Since that game, Wilson has averaged 18.5 ppg and 4.5 apg with a 51.6 FG%, a 42.5 3PTFG% (17-of-40), and a 77.8 FT%.
• Wilson and Leroy Blyden Jr. are leading the Rockets offensively in conference play and are SEVENTH and EIGHTH in the MAC with 17.4 ppg and 17.1 ppg, respectively.
• Blyden was the only freshman ranked in the Top 20 in MAC scoring in league play.
• Sean Craig has a team-high six double-doubles, including 16 points and 13 rebounds vs. Miami followed by 15 points and 10 boards vs. Ohio.
• Austin Parks blocked a career-high five shots vs. BGSU (Jan. 24) and Ball State (Jan. 31) in addition to scoring a MAC-season high 17 points vs. Kent State (Feb. 3) and at WMU (Feb. 11). He registered his third double-double with 11 pts. & 11 reb. at Ohio (Feb. 28.).
• Mynor Strong has started the last NINE games, his first starting nods since UT's first two games of the season. He is averaging 9.0 ppg with a 46.7 3FG% (14-of-30) since re-joining the starting lineup, including a career-high 18 points and four triples vs. Buffalo last Friday.
• Jaylan Ouwinga scored a MAC career-high 13 points at Akron (Jan. 27) and is averaging 7.5 ppg with a 55.0 FG% (33-of-60) in his last 11 contests.
SERIES HISTORY VS. BOWLING GREEN
• UT leads its all-time series vs. Bowling Green by a 100-86 margin and has won seven of its last 10 games vs. BG (five by double digits).
• Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk's 17-9 record vs. BG as the Rockets' head coach is the second-best winning percentage (.654) vs. the Falcons by any head coach in program history. Bob Nichols posted a 29-14 (.674) mark in his career.
• Toledo has faced Bowling Green on five occasions in the MAC Tournament and has a 4-1 record vs. the Falcons in post-season play. The Rockets were scheduled to face the Falcons in the 2020 MAC Tournament that was canceled due to Covid.
ROCKETS' MAC TOURNAMENT MINUTIAE
• Toledo has been Top Four seed in the MAC Tournament in eight of the last nine seasons.
• The Rockets have posted MAC Tournament victories over the Falcons in 1980, 2006, 2008 and 2017 with their only defeat coming in 1997. UT's win in 1980 was an 85-70 triumph in Ann Arbor, Mich. in the championship game of the first MAC Tournament, while its win in 2008 was the lone win over the Falcons in Rocket Arena.
• The most common opponent the Rockets have played in the MAC Tournament is Eastern Michigan (12), with Ohio (10) and Miami (9) ranking second and third.
ROCKETS IN THE NCAA & MAC RANKINGS (thru games played March 9)
• Toledo ranks second in the MAC with its 76.8 FT% and 1.59 A/TO ratio as well as tied for second with 7.7 spg and third with a 48.6 FG% and plus-2.6 turnover margin.
• Toledo ranks in the Top 40 nationally with a MAC-low 14.9 personal fouls per game (23rd), 48.6 FG% (32nd), 1.59 assist/turnover ratio (32nd), and 76.8 FT% (33rd).
• Sonny Wilson ranks second with a 3.0 A/TO ratio and seventh with 17.4 ppg and 4.5 apg.
• Leroy Blyden Jr. is third in the MAC with an 85.5 FT%, fourth with 1.7 spg, seventh with 4.5 apg, and ninth with 16.2 ppg.
• Sean Craig ranks second in the MAC with 2.8 offensive rpg and sixth with 7.3 rpg.
• Austin Parks ranks sixth with a 60.4 FG% and seventh with 1.3 bpg.
ON THE HORIZON
The Rockets would face either No. 1 Miami or No. 8 UMass in the MAC semifinals on Friday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m. with a win over Bowling Green.
The Rockets have earned a Top Four seed in the MAC Tournament for a sixth consecutive season after finishing two games ahead of the Falcons in the league standings. UT split its two meetings vs. BG this season, posting a 73-72 home win on Jan. 24 and dropping an 80-70 road decision on Feb. 14.
Sonny Wilson scored a team-high 24 points and Leroy Blyden Jr. tallied 20 points, a season-high 13 assists and seven rebounds to lead Toledo to a dominating 99-78 Senior Night victory over Buffalo last Friday.
The Rockets shot 60.3% from the field, including a blistering 74.2% in the second half. Wilson spearheaded the Rockets' shooting efficiency, finishing 10-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range. Blyden was 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range, and his 13 assists were one shy of the school record as well as the most by a Rocket in 44 years. Mynor Strong also had a big night with a career-high 18 points and four triples.
The Rockets are led by the backcourt duo of Wilson (17.4 ppg) and Blyden (16.2 ppg) along with the frontcourt tandem of Sean Craig (11.6 ppg) and Austin Parks (10.8 ppg). Blyden leads all MAC freshmen in scoring, while Wilson is dishing out a team-high 4.5 apg.
Bowling Green brings a two-game winning streak into the tournament after posting wins over UMass (81-62) and at Eastern Michigan (77-69) to snap a three-game losing streak. Javonte Campbell leads the Falcons with 18.8 ppg. Sam Towns (12.0 ppg), Josiah Shackelford (11.4 ppg), and Mayar Wol (10.6 ppg) are also scoring in double digits.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Tip-Off: Approximately 1:30 p.m. (30 minutes after Game One)
Location: Toledo, Ohio.
Arena: Rocket Arena (19,432).
Streaming: ESPN+. Michael Reghi will provide play-by-play for broadcast with Rhett Boyd serving as analyst.
Radio: Rocket Radio Network. WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier will provide play-by-play for broadcast with Jay Lehman serving as analyst.
POST TOUCHES
• Toledo ranks FIRST in the MAC in league play with a 1.60 assist/turnover ratio, and 9.6 turnovers per game, tied for FIRST with a plus-2.1 turnover margin, SECOND with a 75.9 FT%, 7.6 spg, and THIRD with a 49.1 FG%, a 37.8 three-point FG%, 15.4 apg, and +4.8 scoring margin.
• Toledo has held its opponents to 72.5 ppg, a 43.9 FG% and a 33.5 3PTFG% since Mynor Strong was inserted into the starting lineup on Jan. 31. UT was allowing 78.3 ppg, a 48.1 FG% and a 35.1 3PTFG% prior to that lineup change.
• Toledo has committed 10 or fewer turnovers in EIGHT straight games with 7.4/gm in this stretch.
• Sonny Wilson has scored in double digits in 47 of 48 games. The only game he didn't score in double figures was vs. Bowling Green (Jan. 24). Since that game, Wilson has averaged 18.5 ppg and 4.5 apg with a 51.6 FG%, a 42.5 3PTFG% (17-of-40), and a 77.8 FT%.
• Wilson and Leroy Blyden Jr. are leading the Rockets offensively in conference play and are SEVENTH and EIGHTH in the MAC with 17.4 ppg and 17.1 ppg, respectively.
• Blyden was the only freshman ranked in the Top 20 in MAC scoring in league play.
• Sean Craig has a team-high six double-doubles, including 16 points and 13 rebounds vs. Miami followed by 15 points and 10 boards vs. Ohio.
• Austin Parks blocked a career-high five shots vs. BGSU (Jan. 24) and Ball State (Jan. 31) in addition to scoring a MAC-season high 17 points vs. Kent State (Feb. 3) and at WMU (Feb. 11). He registered his third double-double with 11 pts. & 11 reb. at Ohio (Feb. 28.).
• Mynor Strong has started the last NINE games, his first starting nods since UT's first two games of the season. He is averaging 9.0 ppg with a 46.7 3FG% (14-of-30) since re-joining the starting lineup, including a career-high 18 points and four triples vs. Buffalo last Friday.
• Jaylan Ouwinga scored a MAC career-high 13 points at Akron (Jan. 27) and is averaging 7.5 ppg with a 55.0 FG% (33-of-60) in his last 11 contests.
SERIES HISTORY VS. BOWLING GREEN
• UT leads its all-time series vs. Bowling Green by a 100-86 margin and has won seven of its last 10 games vs. BG (five by double digits).
• Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk's 17-9 record vs. BG as the Rockets' head coach is the second-best winning percentage (.654) vs. the Falcons by any head coach in program history. Bob Nichols posted a 29-14 (.674) mark in his career.
• Toledo has faced Bowling Green on five occasions in the MAC Tournament and has a 4-1 record vs. the Falcons in post-season play. The Rockets were scheduled to face the Falcons in the 2020 MAC Tournament that was canceled due to Covid.
ROCKETS' MAC TOURNAMENT MINUTIAE
• Toledo has been Top Four seed in the MAC Tournament in eight of the last nine seasons.
• The Rockets have posted MAC Tournament victories over the Falcons in 1980, 2006, 2008 and 2017 with their only defeat coming in 1997. UT's win in 1980 was an 85-70 triumph in Ann Arbor, Mich. in the championship game of the first MAC Tournament, while its win in 2008 was the lone win over the Falcons in Rocket Arena.
• The most common opponent the Rockets have played in the MAC Tournament is Eastern Michigan (12), with Ohio (10) and Miami (9) ranking second and third.
ROCKETS IN THE NCAA & MAC RANKINGS (thru games played March 9)
• Toledo ranks second in the MAC with its 76.8 FT% and 1.59 A/TO ratio as well as tied for second with 7.7 spg and third with a 48.6 FG% and plus-2.6 turnover margin.
• Toledo ranks in the Top 40 nationally with a MAC-low 14.9 personal fouls per game (23rd), 48.6 FG% (32nd), 1.59 assist/turnover ratio (32nd), and 76.8 FT% (33rd).
• Sonny Wilson ranks second with a 3.0 A/TO ratio and seventh with 17.4 ppg and 4.5 apg.
• Leroy Blyden Jr. is third in the MAC with an 85.5 FT%, fourth with 1.7 spg, seventh with 4.5 apg, and ninth with 16.2 ppg.
• Sean Craig ranks second in the MAC with 2.8 offensive rpg and sixth with 7.3 rpg.
• Austin Parks ranks sixth with a 60.4 FG% and seventh with 1.3 bpg.
ON THE HORIZON
The Rockets would face either No. 1 Miami or No. 8 UMass in the MAC semifinals on Friday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m. with a win over Bowling Green.
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