Without fail, the University of Toledo men's basketball team runs a drill at every practice that the team calls “76-76.” The drill focuses on tight, end-of-game situations — the exact place where UT faltered Tuesday against Northern Illinois.
In the days leading up to the Akron game, the Rockets paid special mind to the drill, which pits two teams against one another with a mock game tied at 76.
“We took extra pride in practice with that one,” center Nathan Boothe said.
When a similar situation arose in Friday's game, UT aced the test. As the Zips came charging, UT instead created a decisive 16-1 run late in the second half to win comfortably, 78-64 at Savage Arena.