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Toledo lands former Central Connecticut St. guard Kyle Vinales (UPDATED)

Victor Oladipo, Kyle Vinales

Central Connecticut State’s Kyle Vinales (1) goes to the basket against Indiana’s Victor Oladipo (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

AP

(UPDATE: Vinales has since backed off his commitment.)

In two seasons at Central Connecticut State, Kyle Vinales proved to be one of the better scoring guards at the mid-major level. Vinales averaged 19.8 points per contest during his time in New Britain (21.8 ppg last season), but something was missing: postseason success.

The Blue Devils failed to reach the semifinals of the NEC tournament in either of Vinales’ two seasons, and that lack of success ultimately led to his decision to transfer.

Via Twitter Vinales announced his decision to transfer to Toledo. The move is somewhat surprising given Vinales’ stated desire to reach postseason play, as the Rockets haven’t gone to the NCAA tournament since 1980.

Toledo won 15 games last season, a campaign that included a postseason ban due to APR issues. But with leading scorers Rian Pearson (17.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and Julius Brown (13.1, 6.0 apg) returning and Loyola (MD) transfer Justin Drummond eligible after sitting out last season, the Rockets could be poised to make a jump in the MAC pecking order.

Vinales won’t fit into that equation on the court as he’ll be required to sit out the 2013-14 season per NCAA transfer rules. But he can help them in practice, and once eligible (2014-15) Vinales will join Brown and Drummond as Toledo’s biggest factors.

Raphielle can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.