You can feel it the second you walk into Savage Arena. That heavy, humid air of a Mid-American Conference winter where every possession feels like a heavyweight fight. Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to the university of Toledo basketball schedule right now, you’re missing the most chaotic, high-stakes theater in the region.
Coach Tod Kowalczyk has the men's squad sitting at 10-8 overall, but that record is kinda deceiving. They just came off a brutal 87-84 heartbreaker at Kent State last night—Friday, January 16. It was a slugfest. 14 lead changes. Eight ties. Freshman Leroy Blyden Jr. went absolutely nuclear with 19 points, but it wasn't enough to stop Kent State’s Delrecco Gillespie, who is basically a human vacuum on the boards.
The schedule doesn't get any easier from here. That’s the thing about the MAC; there are no "off" nights where you can just coast and play the bench.
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Breaking Down the Rest of the January Grind
If you're looking at the upcoming weeks, circle January 24 on your calendar in bright red ink. That is the "Stripe Savage" game against Bowling Green. It’s the Battle of I-75. It’s personal. The school is asking everyone to wear either Midnight Blue or Gold depending on their section to turn the arena into a literal striped wall of noise.
But before the Falcons come to town, the Rockets have to handle a road trip to Amherst to face UMass on Tuesday, January 20. It's a weird one—a 3:00 PM tip-off on a Tuesday. Who does that? But it’s a conference game now, and every win is a precious commodity if Toledo wants to keep pace with Miami (OH) at the top of the standings.
Here is what the immediate university of Toledo basketball schedule looks like for the men:
- Jan 20: at UMass (Mullins Center) - 6:00 PM
- Jan 24: vs. Bowling Green (Savage Arena) - 5:00 PM
- Jan 27: at Akron (James A. Rhodes Arena) - 7:00 PM
- Jan 31: vs. Ball State (Savage Arena) - 12:00 PM
The Saturday noon tip against Ball State is a quick turnaround after the Akron trip. You’ve got to wonder about the legs of guys like Sonny Wilson and Austin Parks. Wilson is logging heavy minutes—over 35 a game—and he’s the engine that makes this whole thing go. If he’s tired, the offense stalls.
The Women’s Squad: A Different Kind of Dominance
While the men are fighting through a transition year with a lot of young talent, Ginny Boggess has the Toledo women playing a style of ball that is just... relentless. They are 24-9 from last year and haven't slowed down.
They’ve got a massive road test at Eastern Michigan on January 20. Then, just like the men, they have the Bowling Green clash at home on January 31. That Saturday is going to be a double-header of pure adrenaline in Toledo. The women's game tips at 5:00 PM, right after the men finish up with Ball State. It's basically a full day of living at Savage Arena.
Why the "Stripe Savage" Game Actually Matters
People think these "color-out" games are just for the Instagram photos. They aren't. Toledo currently leads the MAC in attendance, averaging over 4,100 fans. When you get 5,000+ people in there—like they did against Ohio and Miami—the noise level is deafening.
In the loss to Kent State, Kowalczyk pointed out that they got killed on offensive rebounds in the second half. 11 offensive boards for the Flashes in the final twenty minutes. That's a lack of focus and energy. When the crowd is screaming, that energy is easier to find.
The roster is young. Really young. Leroy Blyden Jr. is a freshman. Toby Nwokolo is a freshman. London Praytor is a freshman. These guys are still learning how to close out games against 23-year-old seniors who have been in the weight room for five years.
Key Matchups to Watch on the University of Toledo Basketball Schedule
The February stretch is where the season is won or lost.
February 7 is a big one. The men travel to Harrisonburg to face James Madison in the MAC-SBC Challenge. It's a break from conference play, but it’s huge for the NET rankings. If Toledo wants any chance at a postseason beyond the MAC tournament, they have to win these non-conference "challenge" games.
On the women’s side, the Southern Miss game on that same day (Feb 7) at 2:00 PM is the highlight. Southern Miss plays a physical, Sun Belt style of basketball that usually gives MAC teams fits.
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Critical Dates for Your Planner
- February 3 (Men): Kent State comes to Toledo. This is the revenge game. After the 3-point loss last night, you can bet the Rockets have this one circled.
- February 21 (Women): The return trip to Bowling Green. The Stroh Center is a nightmare to play in, and the fans there are... well, they’re passionate.
- March 11-14: The MAC Tournament in Cleveland. This is the only thing that really matters. You could go 0-18 in the regular season, win four games in Cleveland, and you're in the Big Dance.
The Freshman Factor: Leroy Blyden Jr.
We have to talk about Blyden. 19 points against Kent State as a freshman is no joke. He’s shooting over 40% from three-point range. He’s the type of player who isn't afraid of the moment.
Most freshmen hit the "wall" right around mid-January. The travel, the scouting reports, the physical toll—it adds up. If Blyden and the other youngsters can stay fresh, Toledo is a dark horse to win the whole thing in Cleveland.
Austin Parks has been a solid presence in the middle, too. He’s a junior transfer from Ohio State who finally looks like he’s found his rhythm. He had 16 points and was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line against the Flashes. You don't usually see 6'10" guys shooting 100% from the stripe in high-pressure road games.
Getting Your Tickets and Finding the Games
Most of the games are on ESPN+ or ESPN3, but the big ones—like the Kent State game—get picked up by CBS Sports Network.
If you're going in person, the Sullivan Athletic Complex is the place to buy tickets. You can also call 419-530-GOLD. Honestly, just go to the website. It’s easier. The "Falcon Free Zone" shirts for the first 400 students on the 24th will be gone in five minutes, so if you're a student, get there early.
The university of Toledo basketball schedule is packed with opportunities to see high-level hoops without paying NBA prices. It's gritty, it’s loud, and it’s a lot of fun.
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Actionable Steps for Rocket Fans
- Check your section for Jan 24: If you're in Section 102, wear Gold. If you're in 101, wear Midnight Blue. Don't be the person who ruins the photo by wearing the wrong color.
- Watch the UMass game: It's an afternoon tip on the 20th. Set a reminder on your phone or you’ll completely forget it’s happening.
- Follow the MAC standings: Toledo is currently tied for fourth. Every game against teams like Akron and Kent State counts double because of the tiebreakers for the Cleveland seeding.
- Support the Women's team: They are legitimately one of the best mid-major programs in the country. If you haven't seen them play, you're missing out on some of the best fundamentals in the sport.
The season is halfway over, but the real drama is just starting. Whether you're a lifelong alum or just someone who loves the madness of college sports, Savage Arena is the place to be this winter. See you at the "Stripe Savage."