T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f TOLEDO R O C K E T S

Men’s Game Notes December 13, 2000 Contact: Steve Easton (419) 530-3792 www.utrockets.com For more information, please go to www.utrockets.com

Paul Helgren Rockets To Battle Oakland Saturday Night; Look to Get Asst. AD, Media Relations [email protected] Back on Winning Track Before Heading to Fresno

Steve Easton TOLEDO, OH —Toledo (5-1) Toledo (5-1) Associate SID looks to return to its winning ways [email protected] Saturday evening at Savage Hall in vs. Brian DeBenedictis its non-conference matchup vs. Oakland (3-6) Assistant SID Oakland University (3-6). WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 16, 7:00 p.m. EST [email protected] The Rockets defeated the Golden WHERE: Savage Hall (9,000), Toledo, OH Grizzlies twice last year — a 74-65 2000-01 RECORDS: Tom Milajecki • Toledo (5-1, 0-0 MAC) SID Intern victory at the Hawaii Pacific Tourna- • Oakland (3-6, 2-0 Mid-Continent) [email protected] ment and a 90-76 triumph at Oakland. SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads, 4-1. The Rockets have UT is looking to from its defeated the Golden Grizzlies three times over the last Sports Information lone loss of the 2000-01 campaign, two seasons. The ABOUT OAKLAND: After opening the season with a 2801 W. Bancroft St. an 84-67 setback at St. Bonaventure 97-90 win over Michigan, the Golden Grizzlies have en- Toledo, 43606-3390 (6-1) last Friday. The contest was the dured a pair of three-game losing streaks. Sandwiched Rockets’ first game played on an between those two skids conference wins over Phone: (419) 530-3790 Youngstown State (63-62) and Chicago State (71-56). Fax: (419) 530-3795 opponent’s homecourt this year. OU’s current-three losing streak includes losses to De- The Rockets committed a season- troit (77-56), Cleveland State (87-73) and Cincinnati (97- high 21 turnovers in that contest, in- 58). COACHES: Women’s Athletics cluding 14 in the first half. Basketball • Stan Joplin, 70-49 at Toledo (5th year), same overall. Cross Country Senior Greg Stempin led the • Greg Kampe, 280-185 at OU (16th year), same overall. Golf Rockets' attack with 16 points, while ROCKET INJURY UPDATE: None reported. Indoor Track & Field RADIO: WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier handles Cullars and freshman Terry the play-by-play and former Rocket guard Jay Lehman Soccer Reynolds chipped in with 13 apiece. Softball provides color commentary. Swimming & Diving Stempin leads the Rockets in both TV: None Tennis Internet: Rocket broadcasts can be heard on the world scoring (19.3 ppg) and rebounding wide web at www.utrockets.com. Track & Field (7.2 rpg), while Reynolds is first in Volleyball Toledo Probable Starters (5-1) assists (5.8 apg) and second in points Pos. No. Name Ppg. Rpg. Apg. Men’s Athletics (17.3 ppg). F 31 Robierre Cullars (Sr., 6-5, 201) 11.5 5.8 1.2 Baseball The Golden Grizzlies utilize a F 33 Greg Stempin (Sr., 6-8, 220) 19.3 7.2 2.5 Basketball prolific three- attack, averaging C 52 Craig Rodgers (Sr., 6-11, 250) 6.5 5.7 1.2 Cross Country nearly 22 three-point attempts per G 12 Nick Moore (So., 6-1, 190) 9.3 2.5 2.5 Football G 3 Terry Reynolds (Fr., 5-9, 160) 17.7 3.5 5.8 Golf game. Juniors guards Brad Oakland Probable Starters (3-6) Indoor Track & Field Buddenborg (15.8 ppg) and Jason Swimming & Diving Pos. No. Name Ppg. Rpg. Apg. Tennis Rozycki (14.9 ppg) lead Oakland in F 3 Kelly Williams (Fr., 6-5, 185) 6.1 5.1 1.4 Track & Field scoring, while freshman forward F 25 Dan Champagne (Jr., 6-7, 220) 13.3 3.9 0.6 Kelly Williams (5.1 rpg) is the team’s G 2 Mychal Covington (Jr., 6-4, 175) 6.2 4.0 4.7 G 21 Jason Rozycki (Jr., 6-3, 190) 14.9 2.4 3.3 top rebounder. G 34 Brad Buddenborg (Jr., 6-5, 210) 15.8 4.1 2.3 — continued on page 2 — Toledo Men’s Basketball Game Notes - page 2

2000-01 Toledo Rocket www.utrockets.com For the most complete information on University of Men’s Basketball Schedule Toledo athletics, log on to the official athletic website, (5-1, 0-0 MAC) www.utrockets.com. The website, which is part of the FansOnly network of college athletics websites, is up- Nov. 24-26 Mountain Energy Thanksgiving dated daily and features rosters, statistics, photos, inter- Tournament, Kansas City, MO views, features and allows fans to purchase basketball Nov. 24 vs. Southeast Missouri State W, 59-43 tickets online. Nov. 25 vs. Auburn W, 95-90 (2OT) Nov. 26 vs. Creighton W, 61-57 Nov. 29 W, 78-72 Dec. 2 GEORGE MASON W, 84-75 UT Men’s Basketball Broadcasts on the Dec. 8 at St. Bonaventure L, 67-84 Web Dec. 16 OAKLAND 7:00 p.m. Radio broadcasts of Toledo men’s basketball are avail- Dec. 19-20 Trend Homes Classic, Fresno, CA able on the internet at www.utrockets.com. Listening to Dec. 19 vs. Fresno State 8:00 p.m. the broadcasts requires a RealAudio Player, which can be downloaded at the site. Dec. 20 vs. UL-Lafayette/Samford 5:30/8:00 p.m. Dec. 23 XAVIER 7:00 p.m. Dec. 30 Cincinnati (Rock-N-Roll Shootout) 6:00 p.m. Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH (ESPN Plus) Coach Joplin on the Air Jan. 3 MIAMI* 8:00 p.m. Head Coach Stan Joplin appears weekly on Rocket Jan. 6 at Western Michigan* 2:00 p.m. Replay with Stan Joplin, a half-hour television program Jan. 10 at Eastern Michigan* 7:00 p.m. airing on Sundays at noon during the season on WTVG- Jan. 13 BOWLING GREEN* 7:00 p.m. TV13 in Toledo. The show is hosted by Mark Beier. Jan. 17 BALL STATE* 7:00 p.m. The Stan Joplin Show airs on radio on Mondays at Jan. 20 at Northern Illinois* 2:05 p.m. 6:00 p.m. during the season on WSPD (AM-1370). Mark Beier joins Coach Joplin at Arnie’s Sports Bar in Toledo Jan. 24 CENTRAL MICHIGAN* 7:00 p.m. for an hour of interviews and open phone lines. Jan. 29 at Marshall* (Fox Regional) 7:00 p.m. The show can be heard every Monday, except when Jan. 31 OHIO* 7:00 p.m. the Rockets have a game. When that happens, the show Feb. 3 KENT STATE* (ESPN Plus) 2:30 p.m. will take place on Tuesdays. There will be no show on Feb. 7 at Akron* 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 due to the Rockets being in Fresno, CA. Feb. 10 NORTHERN ILLINOIS* 7:00 p.m. Feb. 14 at Central Michigan* 7:00 p.m. Media Interview Policy Feb. 17 WESTERN MICHIGAN* 2:00 p.m. • The Toledo locker room is closed to all members of the Feb. 19 at Buffalo* 7:00 p.m. media. Feb. 21 EASTERN MICHIGAN* 7:00 p.m. • All interviews must be arranged with Associate SID Steve Feb. 26 at Bowling Green* (Fox Regional) 8:00 p.m. Easton (419-530-3792). Mar. 3 at Ball State* 1:00 p.m. • Coach Joplin and Rocket players are available for inter- views following practices. Mar. 5 MAC First Round TBA • Coach Joplin and Rocket players will be available for Mar. 8 MAC Quarterfinal Game Noon/2/7/9:00 p.m. interviews before practice on Mondays from 2:30-3:00 p.m. Mar. 9 MAC Semifinal Game 7:00/9:00 p.m. Please make your request for players to Steve Easton be- Mar. 10 MAC Championship Game (ESPN2) 7:00 p.m. fore noon on Monday. • When the Rockets have a game or do not practice on * Mid-American Conference Game Monday, other arrangements will be made to make Coach Joplin and Rocket players available prior to a practice on MAC Tournament Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Finals at Gund another day that week. Arena, Cleveland, OH • Contact Steve Easton (419-530-3792) if you are inter- Home games in BOLD CAPS ested in attending any practices when not conducting in- Schedule is subject to change terviews. All times are site times Toledo Men’s Basketball Game Notes - page 3 Stempin Aiming for MAC Player Thanksgiving Tournament in Kansas ROCKET of the Year Honors City. Against Southeast Missouri State Senior forward Greg Stempin is in UT’s season opener he registered a NEWS AND NOTES shooting to become the Rockets’ first game-high 23 points, five rebounds, five MAC Player of the Year since Harvey assists and a pair of steals. To top it off, NO. 1 IN THE RPI: Through games he sank all eight of his free throws and played on Tuesday, Dec. 12, Toledo is Knuckles in 1981. He also is looking to ranked first in the RPI computer rankings. did not commit a turnover. become the fourth Rocket ever to earn The Rockets’ 5-1 start has come against first-team All-MAC honors on three oc- Then he turned it up another notch a schedule rated second most difficult in casions. with 36 points and seven assists against the country. Below is the RPI’s Top 10 The other UT players to receive All- Auburn in the semifinals. Reynolds took (as of Tuesday, Dec. 12): MAC accolades three times are Tom the game over with the Rockets trailing Kozelko (1971-73), Steve Mix (1967- 64-61 with 6:20 to play. He scored 10 1. -1 0.7288 2. Tennessee 8-0 0.7256 69) and Phil Martin (1952-54). straight points and then dished off to 3. Iowa 7-0 0.7029 Greg Stempin for what looked like the 4. Duke 9-0 0.7007 The Stempin Watch game-winning three-pointer with 17 sec- 5. Cincinnati 4-1 0.6959 Senior Greg Stempin moved up onds to play. After Auburn tied it at the 6. Kansas 6-1 0.6951 one spot on the Rockets’ all-time scor- end of regulation, he scored 13 of the 7. Michigan State 7-0 0.6769 ing chart following his 16-point effort Rockets’ 21 points during the two 8. St. Bonaventure 7-1 0.6732 vs. St. Bonaventure. The Rocket captain overtimes and came up with a key 9. Minnesota 7-1 0.6705 10. Arizona State 5-1 0.6682 had registered four straight 20-point out- late in the second overtime with UT ings for the first time in his career prior holding a one-point lead. IN THE POLLS: Toledo is unofficially to the contest against the Bonnies. In the championship game against ranked 45th (six pts.) in this week’s USA Stempin now is in 18th place on Creighton, he recorded 10 points and Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll. The Rock- UT’s scoring list and needs 24 points to five assists and sealed the victory by ets are also receiving votes — tied for pass Phil Martin for 17th place. scoring UT’s final five points. 57th (2 pts.) — in the Associated Press Here’s who Stempin will be look- poll. In addition, UT ranks 14th in this week’s Sagarin ratings. ing to pass next: Moore on Fire from Three-Point 1. Ken Epperson (1981-85) 2,016 Range NON-CONFERENCE DOMINANCE: 2. Craig Thames (1992-96) 1,964 The Rockets are 19-0 at Savage Hall un- 3. Steve Mix (1966-69) 1,676 Sophomore Nick Moore ranks first der Stan Joplin vs. non-conference foes. 16. Dick Miller (1976-80) 1,266 in the Mid-American Conference in UT’s last setback vs. a non-conference 17. Phil Martin (1951-54) 1,240 three-point percentage (.560) opponent (22 games ago) was a 62-57 18. Greg Stempin (1997-pres.) 1,217 and is second in three-pointers made per loss to Wright State on Dec. 16, 1995. 19. Tim Reiser (1980-84) 1,216 game (2.3). Moore has sank at least one 20. Chuck Chuckovits (1936-39) 1,189 three-pointer in five straight games and REYNOLDS’ 36 POINTS MOST IN is shooting 60.9 percent from beyond the FIVE YEARS: Terry Reynolds’ 36-point Reynolds Continues to Sparkle arc during that stretch. outburst vs. Auburn on Nov. 25 was the Terry Reynolds continues to im- most by a Rocket since Craig Thames The Rockets’ 6-1 guard nailed all six press early in his first freshman cam- tallied 37 in a 103-102 (2OT) victory over of his three-point attempts against paign. Central Michigan on Feb. 28, 1996. George Mason on Saturday, Dec. 2 to Reynolds is averaging 17.7 points equal a school record set by Fred King ROCKETS LOOKING FOR A per game to rank second on the team at Kent State on Jan. 23, 1988. THREE-PEAT: The Rockets will look and leads the team in assists per game to capture at least a share of its third (5.8) and free-throw percentage (.775). Moore’s 20 points against the Patri- ots were a personal career high and his straight MAC West Division title this He has scored in double figures in year. UT was the outright winner of the five of his six contests. six three-pointers in the game equalled West in 1998-99 before sharing the title In UT’s 84-78 win over George his career best. with Ball State last year. Mason on Dec. 2, he scored 19 points, equalled his career high with seven as- More Three-Point News STREAKIN’: The Rockets have posted a pair of winning streaks of 10 games or sists and snatched away a career-high • As a team, UT ranks second in three- longer over the last two seasons. In 1998- point field goals made per game (7.5) three steals. 99, UT opened the season with a 10-game In UT’s season-opening weekend, and third in the MAC in three-point win streak. Last year, the Rockets strung the 5-9 guard earned all-tournament FG% (41.7 percent). UT is also third in together 11 in a row before losing in the team honors at the Energia Systems three-point FG% defense (27.4 percent). MAC Quarterfinals to Ball State. Toledo Men’s Basketball Game Notes - page 4 • In addition to Nick Moore, Robierre Trips to the Line Becoming a Habit SEC (Auburn) with its lone loss com- Cullars (43.8 percent, 7-for-16), Terry With its strong inside game and the ing against an Atlantic 10 school (St. Reynolds (38.2 percent, 13-for-34) and penetration of guard Terry Reynolds, Bonaventure). senior Greg Stempin (35.7 percent, 10- the Rockets have made nine more free Four of the Rockets’ next five for-28) are UT’s other top shooting throws (101) than their opponents have games will be against teams from four threats from three-point range. attempted (92) this year. more conferences — Oakland (Mid- • The Rockets are shooting 41.7 percent UT averages 27.0 free-throw at- Continent), Fresno State (WAC), UL- from the three-point arc compared to tempts per game compared to 15.3 for Lafayette (Sun Belt) or Samford (Trans 27.4 percent for their opponents. its opponents. Toledo has been whistled America Athletic), and Cincinnati (Con- • UT sank its first nine three-point at- for 16.8 personal fouls per contest, while ference USA). UT’s game against tempts against George Mason on Satur- its opponents have committed 21.8. Xavier on Dec. 23 will give the Rock- day, Dec. 2 en route to a 10-for-12 first- ets a pair of games against the Atlantic half shooting performance from behind Protecting the Homecourt 10. the arc. With its two home victories this • Since opening the season shooting 1- year over Detroit and George Mason, Sanders, Shellabarger Expected to for-10 against SE Missouri State, UT is UT has won eight straight home games. Redshirt shooting 44.8 percent (44-for-98) from The Rockets hold a 45-12 (.789) record Head Coach Stan Joplin is beyond the three-point arc. at Savage Hall under Stan Joplin, in- redshirting both sophomore A.J. Shella- cluding a 34-8 (.810) mark since the start barger and freshman Robert Sanders of the 1997-98 season. this season. “We’re redshirting both A.J. and Rockets Picked To Finish Second In MAC's Another Great Start Robert,” Joplin said. “That means we West Division For the second can only play nine players this year, but The Toledo men's basketball program is picked time in the last three I think we should be able to do that if to finish second in the MAC's West Division by seasons, Stan Joplin we can avoid injuries.” the MAC News Media Association. guided the Rockets to a Shellabarger, a 6-9, 250-pound cen- The Rockets (213 pts.) trailed Ball State (219 5-0 start. In the 1998-99 ter averaged 8.2 minutes per game in pts.) by just six points in the voting and received campaign, UT won its 27 contests last year, totalling 1.9 points 19 first-place votes compared to the Cardinals' to- first 10 games before and 2.1 rebounds per game. tal of 20. The two teams shared the 1999-2000 West losing at Akron (81-78). Sanders, 6-7, 185-pound forward, Division title with an 11-7 win-loss mark. Included in that was an all-city selection in his final sea- streak were home wins son at Toledo Scott H.S. 2000-01 MAC News Media over Ohio State (64-63) Association Preseason Predictions and Xavier (74-67) and Rockets to Battle Cincinnati at Rock- West Division a road triumph over N-Roll Shootout 1. Ball State (20)...... 219 Dayton (56-55). The Rockets will take on No. 18 2. Toledo (19) ...... 213 Cincinnati at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Shootout 3. Central Michigan (1) ...... 133 Taking on All Com- at Gund Arena in Cleveland as part of a 4. Eastern Michigan ...... 122 ers doubleheader on Saturday, Dec. 30. The 5. Northern Illinois ...... 79 Each of UT’s five Toledo-Cincinnati contest will be fol- 6. Western Michigan ...... 74 victories has come lowed by a matchup between Kent State against a team from a and Xavier. East Division different conference. Tickets for the event, which are 1. Marshall (29) ...... 265 UT has defeated good for both games, can be purchased 2. Kent State (11) ...... 229 teams from the Colo- from UT's ticket office for either $28.00 3. Bowling Green ...... 174 nial Athletic (George or $20.00. These prices are only avail- 4. Miami ...... 165 Mason), Midwestern able by going to the UT's ticket office 5. Ohio ...... 144 Collegiate (Detroit), or calling (419) 530-GOLD. Regular 6. Akron ...... 100 Missouri Valley (Creig- prices for the tickets are $40.00 and 7. Buffalo ...... 43 hton), Ohio Valley (SE $28.00. Missouri State) and Toledo Men’s Basketball Game Notes - page 5

Rockets to Make Four TV Appear- Monday, Feb. 26 at arch-rival Bowling Up Next ... Trend Homes Classic ances During Regular Season Green. The contest against the Falcons UT will be leaving Sunday after- Four Rocket basketball games will has been changed from its original 7:00 noon for Fresno, CA to compete in the be televised in the upcoming 2000-01 p.m. start time to 8:00 p.m. Trend Homes Classic on Tuesday and campaign, and three more television ap- Wednesday, Dec. 19-20. pearances will also be possible in the Rockets’ Schedule Packed With The Rockets will take on the host 2001 MAC Tournament, including an NCAA Tournament Teams Bulldogs on Tuesday at 8:00 PDT and appearance on ESPN2 in the MAC The Rockets have posted a 3-1 win- face either Louisiana-Lafayette or Championship Game. loss mark this year vs. 2000 NCAA Samford on Wednesday. Two Rocket contests will be tele- Tournament teams. UT defeated South- Fresno State (4-2) plays two games vised on ESPN Plus, the first being east Missouri State, Auburn and this week. The Bulldogs travel to Santa UT’s appearance vs. perennial power Creighton at the Energia Systems Clara on Wednesday before hosting Ala- Cincinnati in the Rock-N-Roll Shootout Thanksgiving Tournament in Kansas bama-Birmingham on Saturday. FSU at Cleveland’s Gund Arena on Satur- City on Nov. 24-26 before losing to St. and UT both have lost to St. day, Dec. 30 at 6:00 p.m. Toledo’s game Bonaventure last Friday. Bonaventure this season. vs. Kent State at Savage Hall on Satur- In the Rockets’ trip to Fresno State’s Samford (2-4) is in action for just day, Feb. 3 will also be shown. As a Trend Homes Classic, all three oppos- one game this week. The Bulldogs will result, the starting time for that contest ing teams in the field (Fresno State, UL- take on Gardner-Webb on Saturday af- has been changed from 7:00 p.m. to Lafayette and Samford) appeared in last ternoon. 2:30 p.m. Local coverage for both year’s NCAA Tournament. UL-Lafayette (2-2) played its last games has yet to be determined. UT will also take on Cincinnati at game on Dec. 4, a 93-86 loss to Auburn, A pair of UT’s road games will be the Rock-N-Roll Shootout at and will not return to action until fac- televised on the Fox Regional Sports Cleveland’s Gund Arena on Dec. 30 in ing Samford in Fresno next Tuesday. Network — Monday, Jan. 29 at MAC addition to its MAC West Division ri- East preseason favorite Marshall and val Ball State. 2000-01 Toledo Men's Basketball Roster Numerical Roster No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown - High School (Transfer) 3 Terry Reynolds Fr. G 5-9 160 Nashville, TN - Oak Hill (VA) Academy/Maine Central Inst. 4 Milo Kirsh So. F 6-7 215 Indianapolis, IN - Lawrence Central (Bradley Univ.) 5 Rory Jones * Sr. G 6-3 195 Flint, MI - Carmen Ainsworth (Casper, Wyoming J.C.) 12 Nick Moore * So. G 6-1 190 Detroit, MI - Redford Catholic Central 23 Garwin Patterson Jr. G 5-10 165 Toledo, OH - Libbey (Otero, Colorado JC) 31 Robierre Cullars ** Sr. F 6-5 201 Toledo, OH - St. Francis 32 Albert Wilson** Jr. F 6-8 240 Cleveland, OH - Benedictine 33 Greg Stempin *** Sr. F 6-8 220 Macomb, MI - Harper Woods Notre Dame 34 Keith Triplett% Fr. G 6-3 180 Toledo, OH - Bowsher 42 Robert Sanders Fr. F 6-7 185 Toledo, OH - Scott 43 A.J. Shellabarger * So. C 6-9 250 Celina, OH - Celina 44 Ricardo Thomas% So. F 6-7 217 Detroit, MI - Communication Media Arts (Eastern Kentucky) 52 Craig Rodgers *** Sr. C 6-11 250 Minerva, OH - Minerva * Letters won % Not eligible until 2001-02 season

HEAD COACH: Stan Joplin (5th year, Toledo '79) ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH: Tony Jones (5th year, Concordia '93) ASSISTANT COACH: Bob Simon (1st year, Eastern Michigan ‘89) ATHLETIC TRAINER: Brian Jones (4th year, Ball State '95) STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH: Steve Murray (4th year, Penn State '87)