Rockets’ Non-Conference Schedule Set for 2017-18 Campaign

     TOLEDO, Ohio — The University of Toledo men's basketball program has finalized its 2017-18 non-conference schedule, Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk announced on Friday. The non-league slate consists of seven home dates and six road contests, including trips to Phog Allen Fieldhouse vs. Kansas, the Carrier Dome vs. Syracuse and the historic Palestra vs. Penn.

     The Mid-American Conference schedules for the Toledo men's and women's basketball programs are expected to be announced next week.

     "I thought our schedule last year was tremendous in terms of challenging us, and this year's version is even better," said Kowalczyk, who has guided the Rockets to the second-most overall victories (81) in the MAC over the last four seasons. "We're playing at Kansas and Syracuse as part of the HoopHall Miami Invitational and have the unique opportunity to play in the Palestra, which is regarded as the most storied gymnasium in the history of collegiate athletics. I also think we have a good home schedule against quite a few strong mid-major programs, and I believe playing three straight early home games really helps us."

     Toledo tips off its season with three consecutive home dates vs. Saint Joseph's (11-20 in 2016-17) on Nov. 11, NCAA Division III foe Ohio Northern (16-10) on Nov. 14 and 2016 NIT participant Oakland (25-9) on Nov. 18. The Rockets will then venture out on the road for contests at 2016 NIT participant Syracuse (19-15) on Nov. 22, Cornell (8-21) on Nov. 24 and 13-time defending Big 12 champion Kansas (31-5) on Nov. 28.

     UT opens the month of December with four of five games in Savage Arena, starting with a Dec. 2 matchup vs. 2016 NCAA Tournament participant Texas Southern (23-12). After making a short trip up I-75 to take on Detroit Mercy (8-23) on Dec. 6, the Rockets will host Marshall (20-15) on Dec. 9, Wright State (20-12) on Dec. 16 and Jackson State (14-18) on Dec. 20. Toledo wraps up its non-conference slate with road contests against Cleveland State (9-22) on Dec. 23 and Penn (13-15) on Dec. 29.

     Kowalczyk also noted that the Rockets will be hosting Cleveland State, Cornell, Middle Tennessee and Penn in Savage Arena in the 2018-19 campaign.

     The Rockets are returning a pair of starters as well as one of the MAC's top reserves in 2017-18. Junior point guard Jaelan Sanford is UT's top returning scorer after tallying 13.6 ppg and a 39.2 three-point field-goal percentage last year. Junior forward Nate Navigato registered 9.5 ppg and a 40.8 three-point clip coming off the bench, while sophomore center Luke Knapke notched 6.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg in his initial season at the collegiate level.

     UT will also gain the services of a pair of impact transfers in senior guard Tre'Shaun Fletcher (7.1 ppg/2.4 rpg at Colorado) and sophomore forward Willie Jackson (5.9 ppg/4.6 rpg at Missouri). Jackson will not be eligible to play for the Rockets until the conclusion of the 2017 fall semester.

Rockets’ Non-Conference Schedule Set for 2017-18 Campaign

Players Mentioned

Tre'Shaun Fletcher

Willie Jackson

Luke Knapke

Nate Navigato

Jaelan Sanford

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