Back-to-back MAC champion Toledo embraces high expectations

The expectations at Toledo have changed since Tod Kowalczyk was introduced as the school’s 19th men’s basketball coach in 2010.

The program had plateaued under Stan Joplin and cratered under Gene Cross, who was 11-53 in two horrid seasons. There were zero discussions about the NCAA tournament and Mid-American Conference championships were a far-off dream.

MAC titles are now a baseline when judging a season. The March Madness barrier hasn’t been broken yet, but it’s not because of a lack of talent. In 12 seasons at Toledo, Kowalczyk has won more games than any coach in school history, except Bob Nichols, and the Rockets have three conference championships, including back-to-back outright…