The University of Massachusetts men’s basketball team is preparing for an important matchup against the Toledo Rockets on Tuesday, January 20, at 6:00 p.m. The game will take place at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. This meeting marks a significant moment in a historical rivalry where Toledo currently holds a 3-1 advantage in their all-time series. The first encounter between the two teams occurred on January 27, 1962, resulting in a decisive 77-47 victory for Toledo. The Minutemen secured their sole win in this matchup on December 15, 2007, when Gary Forbes and Ricky Harris combined for 42 points, leading Massachusetts to a 68-61 home victory.
In their recent outing, the Minutemen faced a tough loss against Northern Illinois, falling 70-68 and bringing their record to 2-5 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Graduate student Leonardo Bettiol showcased his scoring prowess by netting 25 points, marking his third consecutive game in double figures. He was particularly effective, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 11-of-14 from the free-throw line, also leading the team in rebounds with seven. His teammates, Marcus Banks Jr. and K’Jei Parker, contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, with Banks Jr. impressively hitting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Turning to Toledo, the Rockets enter the game after a challenging 87-84 loss against Kent State. Under the seasoned guidance of head coach Tod Kowalczyk, now in his 16th season, Toledo boasts a 10-8 overall record and a 4-2 mark in the MAC. Key players include Sonny Wilson, who is averaging 17.4 points per game, and Sean Craig, who leads the squad in rebounds, with an average of 8.1 per game ranking third in the conference.
For Massachusetts, the upcoming contest is an opportunity to build upon the progress made under the direction of head coach Frank Martin, now in his fourth season. In the previous season, the Minutemen showed significant improvement, finishing with a commendable 20-11 record and earning a top-four seed in the Atlantic 10 Championship. Bettiol’s performance has been a bright spot, as he ranks first in the MAC for field goal percentage and is among the conference leaders for rebounds, further solidifying his impact on the team.
The Minutemen have also demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, ranking first in the MAC in opponent three-point shooting percentage, while leading the conference in rebounds per game. As they face Toledo, they will be looking to leverage this solid foundation and home-court advantage to secure a crucial victory.
After the upcoming game against Toledo, UMass will take to the road for a matchup against Buffalo on Friday, before returning home for the game at Mullins Center. Fans can catch the action via live stream on ESPN+ or follow updates on social media.