FB: Mark Speir Returns to App State
February 9, 2024Business News
February 9, 2024MBB: Mountaineers Take On Toledo for Alumni Day
Feb. 9, 2024
Contact: Jacob Plecker (pl*******@ap******.edu)
Game Notes: Attached
BOONE, N.C – The App State Mountaineers (19-5, 10-2 SBC) are set to play the Toledo Rockets (15-8, 9-2 MAC) at the Holmes Center on Saturday as part of the MAC-SBC Challenge. With a win on Saturday, App State will hit the 20-win mark, which would be App State’s first 20-win season since the 2009-10 season. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
The Mountaineers were among the teams receiving votes in this week’s AP and USA Today Coaches Poll, marking the second consecutive week that App State has been featured in each poll. App State received votes in last week’s AP Poll, which was the first time that App State has received a point in the AP Poll since Nov. 15, 2010. With four points this week, it’s the first time the Mountaineers have received multiple voting points since the final AP Poll of the 2006-07 season.
After a three-game road trip, the Mountaineers return to the Holmes Center where they are undefeated this season (10-0). The Mountaineers are the only Sun Belt team and one of 27 teams in the country that are undefeated at home heading into Saturday’s games.
App State’s matchup against Toledo is the first non-conference game since Dec. 21, giving the Mountaineers the opportunity to win their 10th non-conference game this year, which would be the most since the 1988-89 season. With a win on Saturday, the Mountaineers would post their first win against a MAC opponent in over two years.
The Matchup
- Who: App State (RV) vs Toledo
- Where: Holmes Convocation Center // Boone, N.C.
- When: Saturday, February 10 // 1 p.m.
Tune In
- Watch: ESPN+
- Listen: 97.3 WKBC, 96.5/1450 WATA, 790/93.7 WETB, 1250/103.9 WBRM
- Live Stats: appstatesports.com
Last Time Out
The Mountaineers fell to the Texas State Bobcats, ending their eight-game win streak and recording their first loss since January 6.
Three Mountaineers finished Wednesday’s outing in double digits, making Wednesday’s matchup the 30th consecutive game where App State tallied multiple double-digit scorers. App State was led by Terence Harcum’s 13 points, while both Donovan Gregory and Myles Tate each eclipsed the 10-point threshold.
The Mountaineers held down the paint on Wednesday, recording eight blocks as a team, three of which came from sophomore Justin Abson.
Scouting the Mountaineers
At 19-5 and 10-2 in Sun Belt play, App State enters Saturday’s battle with Toledo tied for first place in the conference and has won 18 of its last 21 games. The Mountaineers are one of just 20 teams in NCAA Division I with at least 19 wins this season and are one of just 18 teams in the country to boast a winning percentage of at least 79.2 percent heading into Saturday’s game.
The Mountaineers hang their hat on defense as the team boasts the best scoring defense in the Sun Belt and the 34th-lowest in the nation entering Saturday’s contest, allowing just 65.3 points a game. Coming into play against Toledo, App State ranks in the top five in the conference in several defensive categories, including blocks (first), opponent field-goal percentage (first), fouls per game (first) and three-point field goal defense (fifth).
Justin Abson has 75 blocks on the season, putting him one block away from breaking the program record of blocks in a season. Abson is currently tied with Jeremy Clayton, who blocked 75 shots in the 2007-08 season.
Along with suffocating defense, App State is a tremendous rebounding team. Coming into play on Saturday, the Mountaineers boast the sixth-highest rebound average in the NCAA, averaging 42.25 boards per contest. Additionally, the Black and Gold secure the defensive glass at a high rate, grabbing 31.8 defensive rebounds a game, which is the second-best mark in the country. App State has grabbed at least 40 rebounds in 15 games this season and is 15-2 when it outrebounds its opponent.
On the offensive side, App State owns a deep team that shoots the ball efficiently and shares the basketball at a high rate. Entering Saturday’s action, the Mountaineers have seen 11 different players score in double-figures in a game this season, which means that 85 percent of the active roster has scored in double-figures in a game this season. At least nine players have recorded a basket in 14 games in 2023-24 while at least two players have eclipsed double-figures in each of the last 30 games.
Scouting the Rockets
The Rockets enter play against App State at 15-8 and have won four of their last five games. The Rockets have played well on the road, notching a 6-3 road record ahead of Saturday’s matchup in Boone.
The Rockets operate a high-powered offense as they are first in the MAC in fastbreak points (14 ppg), field-goal percentage (48%), free throw percentage (76%) and scoring offense (79.7).
In their last win against Eastern Michigan, the Rockets were led by Tyler Cochran and Ra’Heim Moss, who each tallied 20 points and six rebounds, as Toledo defeated the Eagles 91-87.
The Rockets are coached by two-time MAC Head Coach of the Year Tod Kowalczyk, who has led them to three straight MAC regular season titles. Kowalczyk has also led the Rockets to a MAC-best 235 wins over the last 10 years.
Series History
Saturday’s contest makes it the third meeting between App State and Toledo, with the last matchup coming back on Dec. 3, 1999. The Mountaineers are undefeated in the two previous matchups with the Rockets with both meetings coming away from home.
Saturday marks the first time Toledo will come to Boone to play. Head coach Dustin Kerns and Coach Kowalczyk have never met one another.
Next Up
The Mountaineers take on Sun Belt opponent Marshall at the Holmes Center on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Marshall comes into next week’s matchup with a 12-13 record, making them sixth in the Sun Belt. This will be the first matchup with the Thundering Herd this season. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
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App State Athletics Strategic Communications
425 Jack Branch Drive
Boone, NC, 28608
www.appstatesports.com
