Toledo basketball fell to 0-2 to start the regular season following a poor offensive performance.
The Toledo Rockets failed to find a rhythm on offense on the way to a 91-61 loss to the No. 6 Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on Thursday. Toledo trailed 17-2 early in the first half and eventually fell to 0-2 to start this year.
It was a poor offensive performance by the Rockets, stumbling to one of the lowest-scoring games in recent memory. Toledo shot a putrid 8-for-32 from the field and 3-for-14 from 3-point range in the first half and never found a groove.
Toledo head coach Tod Kowalczyk previously said the team must improve on offense and rebounding, and that was evident at Michigan State. The Rockets lost the rebounding battle 52-27 and shot 19-for-57 from the field in the loss.
After forward Angel Montas Jr. scored on the opening possession, the Rockets went totally cold on the offensive end. Michigan State went on a 17-0 run in the blink of an eye and essentially put the game out of reach in the early minutes.
It certainly didn’t help Toledo’s chances that All-MAC center Austin Parks missed the game with an upper body bruise. The lack of physicality and size that Parks provides was greatly missed as the Spartans completely dominated the paint.
Michigan State finished with more points in the paint (36-24) and offensive rebounds (16-9) as Toledo struggled to match the presence around the rim. There’s no doubt it will be pivotal to get Parks back on the floor as soon as possible.
Coming off a career-best 18-point performance in the season opener, guard Mynor Strong led Toledo with 11 points. Meanwhile, forward Jaylan Ouwinga posted 10 points and two steals, and guard Sean Jones added nine points in the loss.
The season is only just getting started, but through two games, it’s clear the Rockets have a long way to go to reach its full potential and compete for a MAC title. However, it’s way too early to panic as Toledo attempts to turn things around.
Toledo will try to get in the win column for the first time this season, facing the Marshall Thundering Herd on Saturday. Following a third straight road game, the Rockets will host the Wright State Raiders in the home opener on November 10.