TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo men's basketball team will play the first of two exhibition games this month when it hosts Hillsdale (Mich.) College in Savage Arena on Saturday, Oct. 23. Tip-off time is set for noon. Admission is free and parking will be available in Lot 3 and Lot 4. The Rockets will also travel to the University of Findlay on Saturday, Oct. 30.
  
"It's been a long preseason and our guys are ready to see a different jersey," said Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk. "We've grown and improve since practice started, but it's reached the point where our team is sick and tired of playing against each other. Hillsdale always gives us a great test and is a very well-coached, veteran team. We're going to learn a lot about our team, and they will expose some things we need to work at. That's why you play these games."

Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk has guided the Rockets to five 20-win campaigns in the last eight years. Toledo captured the MAC title last season, posting an overall record of 21-9 with a school-record 15-4 mark in league play. In addition, Toledo earned its 10^th all-time NIT berth.
 
The Rockets return three starters with MAC Freshman of the Year Ryan Rollins (13.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg) leading the way. Juniors Setric Millner Jr. (12.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg), JT Shumate (11.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Keshaun Saunders (6.8 ppg) are also back. Six freshmen are joining the team, along with Boise State transfer RayJ Dennis (8.6 ppg, 2.9 apg).

Hillsdale is a NCAA Division II program located in Hillsdale, Mich. that has finished with a .500 record or better in each season under 13^th-year head coach John Tharp. The Chargers posted a 21-3 record last year and return 2021 G-MAC Player of Year Patrick Cartier (20.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 65.1 FG%) as well as senior forward Austen Yarien (12.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg).
 
The Rockets' meeting with the Chargers in exhibition play will be their fifth in the last nine years. Toledo posted an 85-84 (OT) triumph in 2013, a 100-99 (2OT) victory in 2015, a 72-63 win in 2018 and a 79-63 victory in 2019.

Toledo opens its regular season at Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 9 before hosting Detroit Mercy in its home opener on Saturday, Nov. 13.