Jump to content

Game 18- Toledo Rockets


clarkwgriswold

Recommended Posts

The 9-8 Toledo Rockets come into the JAR Saturday night fresh off a 74-67 loss to Central Michigan.  The Rockets entered the season with high hopes as the number 1 West Division team in MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, however, they have had a rough spell since mid-December losing 6 of their last 7 (Kansas City, Wright State, Bradley, Ball St., PCCC and CMU). 

 

Junior guard Marreon Jackson and senior center Luke Knapke were named the All-MAC West Division Preseason team.  Jackson averages 17.2 ppg along with 4.1 assists.  Koepke scores 15.2 ppg while kicking in 8.1 rpg.  Willie Jackson scores 11.5 a game and rebounds at an impressive 12.5 rpg. 

 

This game worries me.  Toledo appears to have as much individual talent as any team in the MAC.  Let’s hope they don’t come together in the JAR.

 

The game is also a fundraiser for Norton teen Emma Pfouts.  If the Zips have half the fortitude of that little girl, we're in for a great season.

 

 

image.png.9bf439c48336ea67f2e1cbd5400f4a0b.png

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We got the struggling to win at DeKalb monkey off our back. Now lets get the struggle to beat Toledo monkey off our back as well. We seem to be playing Toledo at the right time. I'm not sure what's going on with them. They should be playing much better than they are. Hopefully it takes them at least 1 more game before they figure it out, especially since Cheese and Reece may be a little banged up for this one.

Edited by kreed5120
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, AkronAlumnus said:

do you think we have an answer to him aside from the double team?

 

He'll be an interesting challenge due to his ability to shoot it from outside.   When they faced Teague from Ball State, Riak seemed to over defend him at the arc and as a result Teague blew around him.  I don't know if Knapke has the speed or ballhandling skills for that but if he does, UA has to pick its poison.  Double teaming him doesn't seem to be in UA defensive plan.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

He'll be an interesting challenge due to his ability to shoot it from outside.   When they faced Teague from Ball State, Riak seemed to over defend him at the arc and as a result Teague blew around him.  I don't know if Knapke has the speed or ballhandling skills for that but if he does, UA has to pick its poison.  Double teaming him doesn't seem to be in UA defensive plan.

so who would you give the edge to Teague or Knapke?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, AkronAlumnus said:

so who would you give the edge to Teague or Knapke?

 Their rebounding and scoring stats are pretty similar.  Knapke is 3 or 4 inches taller and a good 30 pounds heavier.   He is superior defensively and blocks a lot of shots.  He also shoots it much better from the 3 point line.  The only place Teague may have an advantage is foot speed.  I'd love for the Zips to have either of them. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Knapke is nearly a 40% career 3P% shooter. Teague I was questioning why Riak was guarding him 20 feet away from the basket. Against Knapke you better not give him any space to shoot or he will burn you. For that reason I feel Reece, despite being undersized, would be the better option to guard Knapke.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

31 minutes ago, Z.I.P. said:

Does anyone know the minutes stats?  Hasn't Riak been getting only 20-25 minutes/game?  Reece may need more minutes this game.  He did so well early in tbe season, we need him to give good defense and rebounding for 15-20 minutes.

 

The issue is how healthy Reece's ankle will be. 

 

Our secret weapon to neutralizing a guy like Knapke is the ability to dribble drive. Get that dude in foul trouble, and do it early. LCJ, Cheese, Banks, X, Tribble - drive right at him (controlled, obviously). 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rockets are always a mystery to Zips fans.  I can only remember meeting once in Cleveland and that was an overtime thriller late at night many, many years ago.  And the Zips always seem to play them at Toledo.  There was a big game at the JAR number of years back: at Noon on a Saturday, maybe on ESPNU...and Pearson and the Rockets embarrassed the Zips.  Don't think that will happen this time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

57 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

Knapke is nearly a 40% career 3P% shooter. Teague I was questioning why Riak was guarding him 20 feet away from the basket. Against Knapke you better not give him any space to shoot or he will burn you. For that reason I feel Reece, despite being undersized, would be the better option to guard Knapke.

 

Yep.  Riak was making me nuts guarding Teague tightly at the 3 point line, even leaving his feet on occasion.  My view is that with about 90% of big men you should back away and let them hoist all of the three pointers they want.  As I recall, Teagie shoots in the low 20s percentage-wise on 3 points.  He can shoot all of those he wants.  Knapke is one of the 10% you can't do that with.  Knapke's ability to go outside is in part facilitated by Willie Jackson being a strong inside presence and controlling the boards.  X is going to have to work to keep him off the boards.

 

Knapke is an interesting story coming from Maria Stein Marion Local, a great small school football power.  I can't imagine many quality basketball big men come from 2100 person  communities.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 (Above)Some good KD memories.  Was that the last time the Zips beat Toledo?  Zips had #5 seed and faced the last seeded Rockets in the Tuesday night first round in Cleveland.  I think this was the late night game.  Was a lot of fun when all the teams went to Cleveland.  Zips went on to win the Championship.  That wasn't a strong MAC year.  1st seeded BG was only 19-14.  And Ball State with an overall losing record was the 2nd seed as the West Champion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That game was amazing. To top it off, that was also the night of the Syracuse/UCONN 1587204728347247 OT thriller (6 to be exact, IIRC). Came home from one thriller and watched another into the wee hours of the morning. I believe that was the most games we ever had to win for one of our MAC Titles. Pretty ironic that Brett McKnight saved the first ball to Humpty Hitchens for the 3, then Humpty inbounded it to McKnight for the game-winner; not sure I ever noticed that. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...