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#125 Toledo Rockets
Mid American
Conference
2004-05: 16-13,
11-7, 1st
West
2004-05 postseason:
none
By
Joel Welser
Despite the first
place finish in the MAC West, it was a very disappointing year
for Toledo. The Rockets had high expectations with Keith
Triplett returning for his senior season. But things never
really got moving for Stan Joplin’s team. Toledo played well in
the friendly confines of Savage Hall, but had plenty of troubles
on the road. They will need to find much more consistency to
make a tournament run.
Who’s Out:
Keith Triplett was a big time MAC
scorer, averaging 15.1 points per game. His leadership and
talent will be missed, but losing the go to guy could end up
helping the team chemistry for the Rockets. Kareem Milson is the
only other loss for the Rockets. Milson started 21 games, but
only averaged 13.9 minutes per outing. They were quality minutes
for Milson who put up 2.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest.
Who’s In:
A couple of shooting guards will
add some much needed depth to the Rockets backcourt. Jonathan
Amos can do a little bit of everything. He has range, he can
drive to the basket and, at 6-4, can even get on the boards.
Ridley Johnson’s outside shot will allow him to contribute as a
roleplayer this year. Jerrah Young, a transfer from West
Virginia, rounds out the newcomers for Toledo. Young’s offensive
skills are relatively raw, but his defense and rebounding will
help out under the basket.
Who to Watch:
Four returning players averaged
between 9.3 and 9.9 points per game a year ago. That’s what you
call a balanced scoring attack. Keonta Howell and Florentino
Valencia will keep things under control in the post, Justin
Ingram will run the point and the pressure will fall on Sammy
Villegas to step up and replace the scoring of the departed
Keith Triplett. Villegas, one of only two seniors on the roster,
has the potential to break out this year as long as his shot
keeps falling. He’ll take a lot of three’s and either needs to
make them more consistently or become more of a dynamic player
and find more ways to score. He has the ability and the
opportunity to do so this year.
Projected
Conference Rank:
Traditionally there isn’t much
difference between being on the top or in the middle of the MAC.
It’s that balanced and it’s that hard to find a win on the road.
Finishing 6th overall in the conference will have the Rockets
vying for a spot in the NIT.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected Starting
Five:
Justin Ingram, Junior,
Guard, 9.3 points per game
Sammy Villegas,
Senior, Guard, 9.3 points per game
Keonta Howell, Junior,
Forward, 9.3 points per game
Florentino Valencia,
Junior, Forward, 9.9 points per game
Allen Pinson, Junior,
Center, 6.0 points per game
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