TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo men’s basketball team will open its 2025-26 season and compete in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge for a third straight year when it hosts defending SBC co-champion South Alabama (21-11, 13-5 Sun Belt in 2024-25) on Monday, Nov. 3. The Rockets’ meeting with the Jaguars will mark the start of UT’s 111th season of basketball. The contest will tip off at 7:00 p.m. with streaming on ESPN+.
Junior guard Sonny Wilson is the Rockets’ lone returning starter from last year’s squad that posted an 18-15 overall record and a 10-8 league ledger. UT tied for fourth place in the Mid-American Conference last year, marking the first time in five seasons it didn’t win the league title. Wilson ranked second on the team last year with 15.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 3.2 apg en route to earning Third-Team All-MAC honors. Sophomore guard Tyler Ode and sophomore forward Jaylan Ouwinga also are back this season.
The Rockets have added transfers Sean Craig (Sr., F, 6-7, 220, IUPU-Indy), Austin Parks (Jr., C, 6-10, 250, Ohio State), Chris Riddle (So., G, 6-5, 213, DePaul), Mynor Strong (So., G, 6-3, 175, Dodge City C.C.) and Kyler Vanderjagt (Sr., G, 6-4, 205, Central Michigan) in the offseason.
Toledo was picked to finish sixth in the MAC in this year’s preseason poll by the league’s head coaches, with Akron predicted to win the league title. Wilson was also honored by being named to the Preseason All-MAC Second Team squad.
The Rockets have split their two contests in the MAC-SBC Challenge each of the last two years, defeating Louisiana and James Madison at home and suffering defeats at App State and Troy.
South Alabama was projected to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference Coaches Preseason Poll, with redshirt sophomore guard John Broom named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
Tip-Off: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Toledo, Ohio.
Arena: Savage Arena (7,014).
Streaming: ESPN+. Mason Lowry will provide play-by-play with Rhett Boyd serving as analyst.
Radio: Rocket Radio Network. WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier will provide play-by-play for broadcast with Jay Lehman serving as analyst.
SERIES
Toledo leads 1-0. The Rockets posted a 76-67 home win over South Alabama in the first round of the 2001 National Invitation Tournament in the only meeting between the two schools.
DETAILING THE MATCHUP
• Toledo and South Alabama ranked among the top teams in the nation at protecting the basketball last year. The Jaguars were tied for seventh at 9.3 turnovers per game, while the Rockets were tied for ninth at 9.4 miscues per contest.
• The Rockets posted a 76-67 overtime victory over the Jaguars at home in the first round of the 2001 NIT. Former Rocket great Greg Stempin led the Rockets with a career-high 29 points. The Rockets finished with a 22-11 mark that season for their first 20-win season in 20 years.
• Ten Rockets will be donning a Midnight Blue and Gold uniform for the first time. Transfers Sean Craig (Sr., F), Austin Parks (Jr., C), Chris Riddle (So., G), Mynor Strong (So., G) and Kyler Vanderjagt (Sr., G) will be joined by five incoming freshmen — G Leroy Blyden Jr. (Detroit, Mich.), G Phoenix Glassnor (Port Huron, Mich.), G Will James Jr. (Holly Springs, N.C.), F Toby Nwokolo (Columbus, Ohio), and F London Praytor (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
HOME SWEET HOME
Toledo is 59-11 (.843) over the last five seasons in Savage Arena with a 9-4 win-loss mark on its home floor last year. The Rockets’ four home defeats last season were its most since experiencing six setbacks in the 2019-20 campaign. During a three-year span from 2020-21 – 2023, the Rockets were 38-4 in Savage Arena. Toledo was 13-1 in 2022-23, 13-2 in 2021-22 and 12-1 in 2020-21.
PARKING
Free parking for the game is available in Lots 1 and 2. Lots 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 require parking passes.
ON THE HORIZON
Toledo will host Marshall on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2:00 p.m. before visiting Wright State for its first road game of the season on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
This article was published by UT Rockets on 2025-10-30 16:03:00
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