Busting Brackets
Fansided

MAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Drew Nixon

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 2020: Loren Cristian Jackson of the Akron Zips drives to the basket during a matchup against the Buffalo Bulls last season. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 2020: Loren Cristian Jackson of the Akron Zips drives to the basket during a matchup against the Buffalo Bulls last season. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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MAC Basketball Marreon Jackson (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The 5-8 range is really interesting in the MAC. All the teams ranked in these four spots could be interchangeable given they have the stars align this season. Toledo ranks at seventh due to experience returning, and a couple of new players that can make a difference right away, whom we will get into shortly.

As a squad, Toledo return three starters in Marreon Jackson, Spencer Littleson, and Keshaun Saunders. All three are guards and can get the job done on both ends of the floor. Jackson will be the leader of this team, having been selected to the All-MAC Second Team, and likely will lead the team in scoring again.

Littleson led the Rockets in threes made with 64 last season, en route to averaging 10.5 points per game. Saunders can also shoot the rock, posting 42 buckets from downtown last season.

Where Toledo slide is the losses in the front-court in Luke Knapke (15.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and Willie Jackson (12.3 ppg, 12 rpg).

Toledo have the most experienced coach in the MAC in Tod Kowalczyk and he will like some of the players he has that return from injuries for 2020. Here are a couple to watch:

  • AJ Edu – AJ Edu is a lengthy player who the Rockets will hope fills that spot left by Knapke. Edu didn’t play last year after tearing his ACL, and was highly touted to have a strong season of contribution. So, in all likelihood, Edu will not only get minutes, but play a big role in how good Toledo will be this season.
  • Mattia Acunzo – Acunzo may be one of the most intriguing players in the MAC to watch this season. The Italian was the headliner of Toledo’s recruiting class last season, but missed out due to a foot injury. He’s a player who played with other D1 talent in high school, still averaging over 12 points per game. He has size and can eventually average numbers like Willie Jackson.

Heading into the season, as mentioned before, Toledo are a team that I currently slot 7th in the MAC, but could end up being in the top 4. Acunzo and Edu will be key, and if the Rockets can stay healthy, they may be in for a very solid year.