TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo released its 2018-19 non-conference schedule on Wednesday, highlighted by a home game against 2018 NCAA Champion Notre Dame. The Rockets will entertain the Fighting Irish on Dec. 8 in Savage Arena. 

UT's Mid-American Conference slate will be announced in early September. Toledo will be hosting Kent State, arch-rival Bowling Green, Ohio and Miami, as well as its five West Division opponents as part of its nine-game home league schedule.

Toledo will welcome Notre Dame (35-3, 15-1 ACC) to Lucas County for the second time in the last three years. The Rockets drew 5,697 fans for their match-up against UND on Dec. 18, 2016, the sixth-largest crowd in school history.

"We're excited to host the returning national champion for the first time in school history," said Head Coach Tricia Cullop. "They have an incredible program with gifted players and an outstanding coaching staff. We need to continue to play high-caliber programs so that we can continue to learn and grow."

Additional highlights for Toledo's upcoming non-league slate are four games against squads that competed in the 2018 postseason. UT will square off against NCAA Championship participants Maine, Dayton and Belmont, along with Postseason WNIT squad Duquesne prior to beginning league play. Toledo will be greatly challenged against these aforementioned teams, as only one of the contests wil take place at the friendly confines of Savage Arena. The Midnight Blue & Gold is slated to host the Dukes (25-8, 13-3 Atlantic 10) on Nov. 18, while the other three contests will take place on the road.

"Last year, we played the toughest non-conference schedule in the MAC," Cullop said. "That's something we always strive to do. When you play against a high caliber of talent, you have to consistently bring your best to the table. We want our players to be ready for MAC play. Last year, our conference RPI was eighth out of the 32 conferences and the seven ranked above us were all members of the BCS."

The Rockets' season will officially tip off at Maine (23-10, 13-3 AEC) on Nov. 10. A season ago, Toledo secured a hard-fought 65-64 overtime home triumph against the Black Bears.

"We were fortunate to beat Maine last year in a nail-biter at home," Cullop said. "As we continue to build a strong non-conference schedule, it is important for us to play NCAA tourney teams, especially away from the comforts of home."

UT will tangle with Iona (2-28, 2-16 MAAC) in its home opener on Nov. 14 followed by a match-up with Duquesne four days later. A year ago, the Rockets defeated the Gaels, 74-57, and lost to the Dukes, 73-54, on the road.
    
Toledo will then embark on a season-long, five-game road swing with the first stop at perennial power Dayton (23-7, 15-1 A-10) on Nov. 21. The Rockets will compete against the Flyers for a 10th-consecutive year and will look to win their third-straight game in the series. A season ago, UT claimed an impressive 68-50 home victory over UD. 

UT will also square off against Valparaiso (13-18, 5-13 MVC) on Nov. 26, Belmont (31-4, 18-0 OVC) on Nov. 29, Memphis (10-20, 5-11 AAC) on Dec. 1 and Cleveland State (19-11, 11-7 Horizon League) on Dec. 5 as part of its five-game road trip.

Toledo will battle the Crusaders and Bruins for the first time in program history, the Tigers for the second time and Vikings for the fourth-straight year and 27th time overall. A season ago, the Rockets registered a 65-56 home victory against CSU.

"When you schedule non-conference games, a five-game road swing isn't exactly what we were striving for, but you are at the mercy of the availability of the teams you wish to play," said Cullop. "This particular road swing won't be easy. Both Dayton and Belmont won their respective leagues and advanced to NCAA's. They will both be great road tests for us as well as facing Memphis, Cleveland State and Valpo during that stretch."

UT will wrap up its non-league slate with home contests against Notre Dame, Stony Brook (18-12, 10-6 AEC) on Dec. 18 and Detroit Mercy (2-28, 2-16 Horizon League) on Dec. 21. 

The Rockets will square off against the Seawolves for the first time in the 44-year history of the program and the Titans for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. A year ago, Toledo captured a convincing 81-64 road win over UDM, which is under the leadership of former UT assistant coach Bernard Scott (2001-05).

"After a rigorous road schedule versus NCAA and post-season qualifiers, it will be nice to finish in front of our outstanding fans who have helped us own the MAC attendance record for an unprecedented 28 consecutive years and hover around 30th in the country the past seven seasons," said Cullop, whose team has won at least 11 home games in eight of 10 years at UT.

Toledo is slated to return nine letterwinners in 2018-19, including four starters, from last year's squad that posted an 18-15 overall record and an 8-10 ledger in the MAC.

The Rockets, who finished fourth in the MAC West Division standings, made their 11th overall appearance in the 2018 Postseason WNIT and sixth in 10 years under Coach Cullop. UT defeated Horizon League member Wright State, 64-50, in the first round before falling at Big Ten foe Michigan State, 68-66, in the second round.

Two-time All-MAC honoree senior Mikaela Boyd (12.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.2 apg), 2017-18 third-team All-MAC selection senior Kaayla McIntyre (16.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.4 bpg) and 2016-17 All-Freshman recipient junior Mariella Santucci (6.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.6 spg) will be the focal points of UT's offense in 2018-19.
    
As far as numbers go, the Rockets welcome back 66.7 percent of their scoring, 69.3 percent of their rebounding, 76.0 percent of their assists, 78.2 percent of their blocks and 83.5 percent of their steals.