Storylines
Picked second in the MAC with two preseason All-MAC second-teamers Toledo received 117 points and two first-place votes behind Miami; Sean Jones and Austin Parks made the preseason second team. source
Veteran portal class replaces a 'too young' 2025-26 roster Kowalczyk added Sean Jones (Marquette), Rich Barron (Providence) and Angel Montas Jr. (UMass Lowell), each with two years of eligibility, after admitting the five-freshman 2025 class left the team too young. source
Toughest non-conference schedule in program history Opponents combined for a 199-105 record last season, including road trips to Michigan State (Nov 5) and Michigan (Dec 30). source
Austin Parks injury Preseason All-MAC center Austin Parks did not play at Michigan State on Nov 5 due to injury; his status for the Marshall game and beyond was not confirmed in pages read. source
0-2 start before first win at Marshall One-point loss at Arkansas State, 30-point loss at No. 6 Michigan State, then an 81-76 road win at Marshall on Nov 7 with Montas and Strong each scoring 20 (AP). source
Kowalczyk's NCAA Tournament drought Mid-Major Madness frames Kowalczyk as the best mid-major coach never to reach the NCAA Tournament; Toledo lost in the 2026 MAC title game. source
Recent news
2026-11-02 Toledo drops opener 71-70 at Arkansas State Tameron Ferguson's free throw with 4 seconds left won it for ASU after Ouwinga tied it at 70. Strong 18 pts/4 stl; Ouwinga 16 pts/14 reb; Montas 16/10 off bench in debut; Jones 9 assists. Toledo shot 6-27 from three and committed 16 turnovers. source
2026-11-05 No. 6 Michigan State routs Toledo 91-61 Toledo trailed 48-25 at half and was outrebounded 52-27. Strong 11, Ouwinga 10, Jones 9, Porter 9. Austin Parks sat out with an injury. Starters: Ouwinga, Riddle, Strong, Montas, Jones. source
2026-11-06 Coach's show returns to Stubborn Brother Kowalczyk's first show of the season is Monday Nov 9, 6-7 p.m. source
2026-11-07 Rockets rally past Marshall 81-76 for first win Toledo (1-2) surged in the second half at Huntington; Angel Montas Jr. and Mynor Strong each scored 20 per AP. Full recap not read (fetch budget exhausted). Next: home opener vs Wright State, Tue Nov 10, 7 p.m. source
Preseason previews
Kowalczyk says Toledo returns six rotation players, which he calls a lot 'in this day and age,' and added three veteran transfers (each with two years of eligibility) and four freshmen. He says last year's team was 'probably too young' after signing five freshmen before revenue sharing changed recruiting, so the staff prioritized experience. Marquette transfer Sean Jones was the first portal signing and has been installed as starting point guard. He expects Jaylan Ouwinga to become one of the league's best post players if consistent and says Austin Parks improved through last season. Some freshmen will need time to develop.
Federman's conference preview lists Toledo third in order (after Kent State and Miami) without numbered projections. He credits Kowalczyk's long record of producing excellent guards and calls him arguably the best mid-major coach never to make the NCAA Tournament. Toledo's ceiling is said to depend mainly on Marquette transfer Sean Jones regaining his pre-knee-injury form, with Providence transfer Rich Barron and UMass Lowell transfer Angel Montas Jr. as other key pieces and Austin Parks and Jaylan Ouwinga returning in the frontcourt. Canonical URL: https://www.midmajormadness.com/mid-american-conference/37312/2026-27-mac-mens-basketball-preview
Toledo was picked second behind Miami (133 points, 9 first-place votes) in the MAC preseason coaches poll, ahead of Akron (110) and Kent State (108, 1 first-place vote). Sean Jones (G, R-Sr.) and Austin Parks (C, Sr.) were named Preseason All-MAC Second Team; Toledo had no first-team selections. The conference moved to a 22-game round-robin schedule and the 2027 MAC Tournament remains at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. Kowalczyk enters his 17th season with a 315-211 record at Toledo.
Poll story centered on Miami (9 first-place votes) noting Toledo finished second with two first-place votes and Kent State received the remaining first-place vote. Lists Miami's Evan Ipsaro and Luke Skaljac on the preseason first team. No Toledo player detail.
Schedule release: Nov 2 at Arkansas State (MAC-SBC Challenge), Nov 5 at Michigan State, Nov 7 at Marshall, Nov 10 vs Wright State (home opener), Nov 14 at Detroit Mercy, Nov 19 vs Robert Morris, Nov 28 at Valparaiso, Dec 16 vs Oakland, Dec 30 at Michigan, Feb 6 MAC-SBC Challenge. Non-conference opponents went a combined 199-105 (.655) last season, described as the toughest non-league slate in program history. Kowalczyk: 'It will be an opportunity to test ourselves against the best in the country.'
Players
Mynor Strong #5 · G · Junior · 6' 3" · 175 lbs
16.3 pts2.3 reb2.7 ast33.0 min
17-43 FG4-22 3PT11-13 FT
50.3 TS%21.7 shots+TO/40
6-3, Omaha North. Became a starter in late January 2026. 18 points (ties career high) and career-high 4 steals at Arkansas State; team-high 11 at Michigan State; 20 points at Marshall per AP headline. source source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Started slowly and lost confidence, became a starter in late January; made the team tougher defensively. source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Only player named (photo caption), identified as a junior. source
Game log
Sean Jones #1 · G · Senior · 5' 10" · 185 lbs
8.0 pts2.7 reb6.0 ast29.3 min
6-21 FG2-6 3PT10-12 FT
45.7 TS%13.8 shots+TO/40
5-10, Columbus, Ohio (Gahanna Lincoln). Starting point guard; preseason All-MAC second team. Debut at Arkansas State: career-high 9 assists, 2 turnovers in 33 minutes. 9 points at Michigan State. Mid-Major Madness says ceiling depends on him regaining pre-knee-injury form. source source source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Toledo's first transfer signee from Marquette (four years there); Kowalczyk made him the starting point guard and says he has 'complete ownership' of the program. source
Mid-Major Madness / Yahoo Sports: Veteran Marquette transfer; ceiling depends on him regaining form from before a knee injury several years ago. source
Wikipedia (compiling MAC preseason poll, Oct 20, 2026): Preseason All-MAC Second Team (G, R-Sr.). source
Game log
Jaylan Ouwinga #32 · F · Junior · 6' 9" · 215 lbs
12.3 pts7.3 reb1.0 ast29.0 min
15-39 FG2-9 3PT5-7 FT
44.0 TS%21.6 shots+TO/40
6-9, Grand Rapids Christian. Career-high 16 points and 14 rebounds at Arkansas State, including tying baseline jumper at 70-70; 10 points at Michigan State. Started both games. source source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): 6-foot-9, two years in program; more aggressive and assertive, could be one of the league's best post players if consistent. source
Mid-Major Madness / Yahoo Sports: Returning frontcourt player. source
Game log
Angel Montas Jr. #9 · G · Senior · 6' 6" · 225 lbs
14.7 pts6.3 reb2.0 ast25.7 min
19-39 FG2-7 3PT4-7 FT
52.3 TS%23.9 shots+TO/40
6-6, 230, La Romana, Dominican Republic. First-team All-America East, 20 ppg in league play. Debut: 16 points, 10 rebounds off the bench at Arkansas State; started at Michigan State (8 points); 20 points in win at Marshall per AP headline. source source source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): UMass Lowell transfer who averaged 20 points in America East play and was first-team all-league; can play four positions. source
Mid-Major Madness / Yahoo Sports: UMass Lowell transfer named a key piece for Toledo's ceiling. source
Game log
Austin Parks #25 · C · Senior · 6' 10" · 250 lbs
6.5 pts6.0 reb0.5 ast20.5 min
6-13 FG0-2 3PT1-5 FT
42.8 TS%15.8 shots+TO/40
6-10, 250, St. Marys, Ohio. Started every game in 2025-26 and was team's leading rebounder; preseason All-MAC second team. Did not play at Michigan State Nov 5 due to injury. source source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Started every game last season; improved as year went on, working on conditioning, scores in post, helped team handle double teams. source
Mid-Major Madness / Yahoo Sports: Returning frontcourt player. source
Wikipedia (compiling MAC preseason poll, Oct 20, 2026): Preseason All-MAC Second Team (C, Sr.). source
Game log
Chris Riddle #10 · F · Sophomore · 6' 5" · 210 lbs
2.7 pts2.3 reb1.7 ast18.0 min
2-8 FG1-5 3PT3-5 FT
39.2 TS%11.3 shots+TO/40
Injured for much of 2025-26. Started at Michigan State (2 points, 21 minutes); 5 points at Arkansas State. source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Dealt with injuries in 2025-26; physical wing who can shoot and play multiple positions; team 'was missing him badly.' source
Game log
Will James Jr. #11 · G · Sophomore · 6' 4" · 205 lbs
3.0 pts3.7 reb0.3 ast17.3 min
4-10 FG1-2 3PT0-3 FT
39.8 TS%10.2 shots+TO/40
6-4, Holly Springs, N.C. Team-high 5 rebounds at Michigan State off the bench. source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Contributed more in second half of freshman year; Kowalczyk wants more discipline and compares his potential jump to Sam Lewis's freshman-to-sophomore leap. source
Game log
Rich Barron #23 · F · Junior · 6' 5" · 225 lbs
3.7 pts1.7 reb0.7 ast15.0 min
4-13 FG1-5 3PT2-8 FT
33.3 TS%17.4 shots+TO/40
6-5, 230, Chicago (St. Ignatius); previously George Mason; Big East All-Freshman Team. 4 points in 16 minutes off bench at Michigan State. source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Providence transfer (previously George Mason), Big East All-Freshman Team; skilled shooter with a physical frame who can play three positions. source
Mid-Major Madness / Yahoo Sports: Providence transfer named a key piece for Toledo's ceiling. source
Game log
Jaylohn Allen #7 · G · Freshman · 6' 1" · 180 lbs
Ypsilanti, MI · from Wayne Memorial (Ypsilanti, Mich.) · freshman ·
ESPN ·
@jaylohnallen
1.7 pts0.3 reb0.7 ast10.7 min
2-5 FG0-3 3PT1-2 FT
42.5 TS%8.6 shots+TO/40
6-1, 190. Michigan Player of the Year runner-up. 1 point, 2 assists in 16 minutes at Michigan State. source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Freshman combo guard, runner-up for Michigan Player of the Year; tough scorer and playmaker. source
Game log
Rashaun Porter #24 · F · Freshman · 6' 7" · 217 lbs
3.0 pts1.7 reb0.3 ast7.0 min
1-3 FG0-0 3PT7-10 FT
60.8 TS%14.1 shots+TO/40
6-7, 225. Illinois first-team all-state, three-time state champion. 9 points (7-of-? FT) at Michigan State. source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Freshman, first-team all-state in Illinois and three-time state champion; expected to contribute right away as a physical post player. source
Game log
Manny Johnson #2 · G · Freshman · 6' 3" · 175 lbs
3.0 pts0.0 reb0.0 ast2.0 min
1-1 FG1-1 3PT0-0 FT
150.0 TS%40.0 shots+TO/40
6-3 point guard; led Central Catholic to best season in school history. Did not appear in MSU box score. source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Freshman point guard who led Toledo Central Catholic to its best season in school history. source
Game log
Marco Mattucci #3 · G · Freshman · 6' 4" · 190 lbs
0.0 pts1.0 reb0.0 ast1.0 min
0-0 FG0-0 3PT0-0 FT
– TS%0.0 shots+TO/40
6-4, 190; athletic guard with defensive toughness. Did not appear in MSU box score. source source
Toledo Rockets Athletics (official): Freshman athletic guard with length, defensive toughness and smart instincts. source
Game log
Toby Nwokolo #0 · F · Sophomore · 6' 6" · 200 lbs
0.0 pts0.0 reb0.0 ast1.0 min
0-1 FG0-1 3PT0-0 FT
0.0 TS%40.0 shots+TO/40
Listed on 2026-27 roster photo caption; roster includes a redshirt-sophomore DePaul transfer forward (6-5, Chicago Kenwood Academy) and a sophomore forward from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, but the page did not label which entry is Nwokolo vs. Riddle. source
Game log
