Toledo, Bowling Green Face Off in High-Stakes MAC Basketball Showdown

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Mid-American Conference rivals Toledo and Bowling Green will clash in a highly anticipated college basketball matchup Friday at the Stroh Center. The game, set to tip off at 6 p.m. ET and broadcast on CBS Sports Network, marks the 183rd meeting between the two programs, with Toledo leading the all-time series 98-84.

The Rockets (10-8, 4-2 MAC) enter the game as 2.5-point favorites, according to the latest odds from SportsLine consensus. Toledo is looking to bounce back from an 83-64 loss to a conference opponent, while the Falcons (7-11, 2-4 MAC) aim to snap a three-game losing streak in the series.

Toledo has dominated recent matchups, winning five of the last six games against Bowling Green. The Rockets are 8-1 this season when scoring 82 or more points, a threshold they’ve surpassed in each of their last five victories over the Falcons. “We know this is a rivalry game, and we’re ready to bring our best,” said Toledo head coach Tod Kowalczyk.

Bowling Green, however, won the last meeting at Stroh Center, 76-68, in February 2024. The Falcons will rely on senior forward Marcus Hill, who leads the MAC with 16.1 points per game. “Marcus has been our anchor this season,” said Bowling Green coach Todd Simon. “We’re counting on him to step up in this big game.”

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every Division 1 college basketball game 10,000 times, has analyzed the matchup. The model, which has a 199-138 record on top-rated picks since 2023, is leaning toward the Under on the 159.5-point total and has identified a point-spread pick that hits nearly 60% of the time.

Both teams have been competitive against the spread this season. Toledo is 9-8-0 ATS, while Bowling Green is 7-7-2. The Falcons have covered the spread in two of their last three home games, suggesting they could keep Friday’s contest close.

With conference standings and bragging rights on the line, this matchup promises to deliver high-intensity basketball. Fans can catch the action live on CBS Sports Network or follow the SportsLine model’s predictions for insights into the game’s potential outcome.