Had Ohio (16-14, 10-7 Mid-American Conference) won its home closer against Eastern Michigan Tuesday, it would have clinched the third-seed in the MAC Tournament, distancing itself from teams like Eastern Michigan and Toledo, while holding tie-breakers over Kent State. However, it didn’t and lost for just the third time on its home floor.
It’s been an injury-riddled season for the Bobcats, who came in projected to finish top of the MAC. Now, they’ll be lucky to finish in the top four, but it starts with a win over the Rockets.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Game information
Opponent: Toledo Rockets (16-14, 9-8 MAC)
Location: Savage Arena (Toledo, Ohio)
Time: Friday at 7 p.m.
Where to watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here.
Meet the opponent
Head coach
Tod Kowalczyk (15th season, 489-284 record)
Projected starters
No. 1, Javan Simmons
No. 2, Bryce Ford
No. 3, Sonny Wilson
No. 7, Isaiah Adams
No. 11, Sam Lewis
Statistical leaders
Points: Lewis (15.7 per game)
Rebounds: Simmons (6.6 per game)
Assists: Adams (3.4 per game)
Steals: Adams (1.3 per game)
Blocks: Adams (0.7 per game)
Three-pointers: Lewis (53 made)
Seeding scenarios
Due to the loss against Eastern Michigan Tuesday, Ohio can land anywhere between third and sixth in the conference at season’s end. Here is how the standings, starting at three, look today.
3. Ohio (10-7 MAC)
4. Kent State (10-7 MAC)
5. Eastern Michigan (9-8 MAC)
6. Toledo (9-8 MAC)
A win over Toledo guarantees Ohio the third spot in the conference, even if Kent State beats Eastern Michigan due to Ohio’s win over Akron. With a loss, it gets complicated.
A Toledo and Eastern Michigan win to end the season would leave all four teams with a 10-8 record, from which the MAC uses a different set of tiebreakers. First, it would go to the four teams’ overall record against each other, in which Eastern Michigan and Kent State hold the best records, followed by Toledo, and last, Ohio. Between Eastern Michigan and Kent State, the one-on-one tiebreakers would go into effect, and with Eastern Michigan holding a win over Miami, it would finish third, followed by Kent State, then Toledo, and then Ohio.
If Toledo and Kent State win, it’s a bit easier. Kent State would lock up third, followed by Toledo, then Ohio, which holds a better record than Eastern Michigan but loses the head-to-head against Toledo.
Player to watch (Ohio): Vic Searls
In Ohio’s last two games, graduate big man Vic Searls has been a determining factor. In the win over Miami, Searls was difficult to stop, scoring 13 and grabbing seven rebounds in the win. Against Eastern Michigan, Searls couldn’t defend without fouling, collecting three quick errors and finding it difficult to stay on the court despite productive minutes.
