TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo held its annual Media Day with local reporters on Tuesday as it gets ready to tip off the 2019-20 men's basketball campaign.  The Rockets defeated Hillsdale, 79-63, in their first exhibition last Saturday and will play at Findlay on Sunday, Oct. 27 in its final pre-season tuneup.

"This is a fun team to coach and this is the best leadership I've had in my career," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "Our captains really coach the team and I'm excited to follow their lead sometimes. Our leadership has been fun to watch develop and grow."

Toledo posted a 25-8 record in 2018-19, a season that included a MAC West Division title and an NIT berth.  The Rockets return three starters from last year's squad – junior Marreon Jackson (11.7 ppg, 4.2 apg), senior Luke Knapke (10.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and senior Willie Jackson (8.5 ppg, team-high 8.9 rpg) – as well as junior Spencer Littleson (4.2 ppg).

The Rockets will open their season with a pair of road contests, visiting Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and Marshall on Sunday, Nov. 10. Toledo will host Robert Morris in its first home date on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Season and individual tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit the Rocket Athletic Ticket Office at the Sullivan Athletic Complex in Savage Arena, contact the Rocket Athletic Ticket Office at 419.530.GOLD (4653), or go online to utrockets.com/tix.
 


Men's Basketball Head Coach, Tod Kowalczyk at 2019 Media Day.