2018 MAC Basketball Preview: Toledo Rockets vs Ohio Bobcats

The Ohio Bobcats (8-8, 1-3 MAC) will host the Toledo Rockets (11-6, 3-1 MAC) on Tuesday night. Ohio is looking to get out of the MAC East cellar while the Rockets are looking to keep pace atop the MAC West.

Game Details

• When: Tuesday, Jan. 16th, 2018 at 7 p.m. EST
• Where: Convocation Center - Athens, Ohio
• Watch: ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app

Players to Watch

Tre’Shaun Fletcher, G, Toledo - Fletcher can, and does, do it all for the Rockets. He leads the team in points (18.2), rebounds (8.4), assists (3.9), and steals (.9). He’s scored 20+ in four of the past five games and is shooting 57.6% from the field in that span. I would hate to be defending him right now...he’s killing it.

Jaelan Sanford, G, Toledo - Sanford is right behind Fletcher in points (16.7) and assists (3.4). He’s dropped 15+ in each of the last seven contests and is shooting 46.51% from three point range in that time.

Mike Laster, G, Ohio - Laster has scored 10+ points in the past dozen games for Ohio, so it’s no surprise he’s their leading scorer, averaging 16.5 points per game. As of late, he has struggled shooting - hitting on just 46.3% of his shots in the previous five games and a miserable 31% in the last two games (9-29!).

Teyvion Kirk, G, Ohio - Kirk has scored 13+ points in the past eight games for the Bobcats. He’s second on the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals...so, like Fletcher for Toledo, Kirk does it all for his team and does it well.

Prediction

Ohio is able to keep this a close game for most of it. But, with Laster struggling, Toledo’s offensive firepower is enough to escape Athens with a victory. Fletcher continues to have a hot hand while Sanford drains a much needed three late in the game for the Rockets.

Toledo Rockets - 79
Ohio Bobcats - 73