Toledo held its first official practice of the 2018-19 season today.
Photo by: Will Edmonds
Rockets Hold First Practice of 2018-19 Season
9/26/2018 1:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo men's basketball program hit the floor on Wednesday morning for its first official practice of the 2018-19 campaign.
"I'm excited about today and excited about this team," said Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk, who is entering his ninth season at the helm of the Rockets. "We had a productive day and it's a fun time of year for coaches. It's a daily process for us trying to get our guys better and buying into the defensive end, rebounding and being a great teammate. If we can really develop some great chemistry, we can be a very good team."
Kowalczyk has guided the Rockets to three 20-win campaigns in the last five years, marking the first time for this accomplishment since Bob Nichols recorded five straight seasons of 20-plus victories from 1976-81. UT registered a 23-11 record with a 13-5 mark in league play last year and its 55 MAC victories over the last five seasons rank second in the league.
The Rockets return six of their top seven players from a season ago in the 2018-19 campaign, led by seniors Jaelan Sanford and Nate Navigato. Sanford, a second-team All-MAC selection last year, ranked eighth in the MAC with 16.3 ppg and ninth with a 40.3 three-point shooting mark. Navigato set a school record last year with 94 three-pointers and led the MAC last season with 2.8 treys per game and ranked second with a 42.7 three-point percentage. Also returning for Toledo will be the junior duo of center Luke Knapke (10.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and forward Willie Jackson (7.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg) as well as All-MAC Freshman Team member Marreon Jackson (8.0 ppg, 2.7 apg).
The Rockets will play their only exhibition game on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. vs. Hillsdale College. The contest will follow the Rocket women's exhibition contest vs. the University of Findlay.
Toledo opens its regular season on Friday, Nov. 9 at Oakland before hosting Wilberforce (Ohio) University the following evening in Savage Arena at 7:00 p.m. in its home opener.
For ticket information, stop by the UT Athletic Ticket Office in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena, go online at utrockets.com or call 419-530-GOLD (4653).
"I'm excited about today and excited about this team," said Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk, who is entering his ninth season at the helm of the Rockets. "We had a productive day and it's a fun time of year for coaches. It's a daily process for us trying to get our guys better and buying into the defensive end, rebounding and being a great teammate. If we can really develop some great chemistry, we can be a very good team."
Kowalczyk has guided the Rockets to three 20-win campaigns in the last five years, marking the first time for this accomplishment since Bob Nichols recorded five straight seasons of 20-plus victories from 1976-81. UT registered a 23-11 record with a 13-5 mark in league play last year and its 55 MAC victories over the last five seasons rank second in the league.
The Rockets return six of their top seven players from a season ago in the 2018-19 campaign, led by seniors Jaelan Sanford and Nate Navigato. Sanford, a second-team All-MAC selection last year, ranked eighth in the MAC with 16.3 ppg and ninth with a 40.3 three-point shooting mark. Navigato set a school record last year with 94 three-pointers and led the MAC last season with 2.8 treys per game and ranked second with a 42.7 three-point percentage. Also returning for Toledo will be the junior duo of center Luke Knapke (10.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and forward Willie Jackson (7.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg) as well as All-MAC Freshman Team member Marreon Jackson (8.0 ppg, 2.7 apg).
The Rockets will play their only exhibition game on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. vs. Hillsdale College. The contest will follow the Rocket women's exhibition contest vs. the University of Findlay.
Toledo opens its regular season on Friday, Nov. 9 at Oakland before hosting Wilberforce (Ohio) University the following evening in Savage Arena at 7:00 p.m. in its home opener.
For ticket information, stop by the UT Athletic Ticket Office in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena, go online at utrockets.com or call 419-530-GOLD (4653).
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