TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo men's basketball program will get an early start to its 2022-23 season when it heads to sunny Puerto Rico on Friday, Aug. 5 to begin a three-game foreign trip. 
 
The Rockets are scheduled to play games vs. the Guynabo All Star Team on Saturday, Aug. 6, the Sancturce All Star Team on Monday, Aug. 8 and the Carolina All-Star Team on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
 
Updates on the Rockets' trip will be provided throughout the trip on social media on Twitter (@toledo_mbb), Instagram (@toledombb) and Facebook (Toledo Men's Basketball) as well as utrockets.com.
 
Below is a Q&A with Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk about the trip as well as his thoughts on the Rockets' roster heading into the upcoming season.
 
What did you learn and work on during the three weeks of practice leading up to the trip to Puerto Rico?
 
Kowalczyk: We put a lot of defensive concepts in. Things that are very vital to the basics of our defense. We had a chance to experiment with some different offensive schemes as well. I was very pleased with our 10 practices and love our talent level and basketball IQ. At this point, it's a very together team. I think the Puerto Rico trip will only help. I'm excited about this group. We have a chance to be very good.
 
Are there any intangibles that you get from the going to Puerto Rico besides playing three games?
 
Kowalczyk: I think anytime you get a chance to go on a foreign trip and play three games it can only help. When you put that jersey on you plan to win and it always matters. It's different than practice. The summer tours are great for just the chemistry you build and for us to learn where we're at and to see how much guys have improved.
 
The last two years your team's culture has risen to an even higher level than previous seasons. Can you talk about that and having RayJ Dennis, Setric Millner Jr., JT Shumate and Ra'Heim Moss as four returning starters ready to lead this year's team?

Kowalczyk: I really credit Marreon Jackson and Spencer Littleson for the way our culture has grown. They really added so much value to our culture. It wasn't that we had a bad culture prior to that, but they took it to another level as far as work ethic. Now RayJ, Seth, JT and Ra'Heim have taken it to another level. Now, it's an expectation where guys understand that if they're not going to be in the gym, not working and not doing the right things, their chances of being successful in this program probably aren't very good. That's why we've been good as we have been the last two years.
 
RayJ Dennis joined the program last year after playing two years at Boise State. Is he almost like a coach on the floor for you as your point guard?

Kowalczyk: RayJ was a great addition to our program last year. I love his leadership and his intangibles. He's a very, very good basketball player and will be a very good college coach someday.
 
Can you talk about Ra'Heim Moss' development into the player he became last year?

Kowalczyk: We didn't really know where Ra'Heim was going to fit in last year. He really has increased his skill level since he came to us. Jordan Lauf has done a great job of helping him develop that. He's become a very good shooter and a guy we can trust. We're also going to experiment a little with him as a backup point guard like Marcus Smart. He just has to be very conscious of his turnovers, running his team and thinking the game a little more.
 
Having a balanced offense has been a key to your success as well in recent years. Can you talk about the importance of that?
 
Kowalczyk: I think we will continue to be tremendously balanced and that's always a benefit. I think there are seven guys right now on our team who could lead us in scoring in any given game. That list might even grow.
 
Will your depth is going to increase from a year ago with the addition of transfers Tyler Cochran, Dante Maddox and André Lorentsson?
 
Kowalczyk: I think adding veteran guys like Tyler, Dante and André really helps us. They understand what it takes to be successful. Tyler is a strong, aggressive player who is smart offensively and gets his hands on the ball a lot on the defensive end. Dante is a very explosive, athletic guard who can score in bunches. I love his game and he can really shoot the ball with range, plus get his own shot. He's going to add a lot of value. Andre can really shoot the ball too and right now I'd say he's our second-best shooter behind JT Shumate. He has three years of eligibility left, and I'd like to see him just get a little bit stronger and more aggressive on the offensive end. He knows how to play, he's a willing passer and a great teammate.
 
You also will have three sophomores in EJ Farmer, Kooper Jacobi and Elijah Wilson, who had some playing time last year off the bench. How have their games developed since the end of last season?
 
Kowalczyk: EJ has had a phenomenal off-season. He clearly is a guy who is deserving of increased playing time. He understands the game better and his shot selection has improved. He's talking a lot more, has matured and taken the next step. Kooper is working hard and getting better. He just needs to slow down and let the game come to him. Elijah is long, athletic and can defend. He has some upside and now it's time for him to put it together.
 
AJ Edu is also back after playing just four games over the last three years due to knee injuries. Can you provide fans an update on how he's doing?
 
Kowalczyk: AJ is healthy now after not playing very much in the last three years. We need to temper down some of our expectations for him. He looks good in practice. He's back to where he was defensively, and I've been very encouraged about how his offensive game looks and how he's slowing down. He had a tendency previously to get off balance and play too fast. We just want him to slow down and play off two feet. I think he can help us.
 
You also have two freshmen in Javan Simmons and Cooper Davis who have participated in your summer practices. How have they looked since arriving on campus?
 
Kowalczyk: Javan is a very strong, aggressive post player. He can defend the post and rebound. His skill level is good, and I think it's only going to get better. He can score on the low block, and I'd like to see him be able to step out and shoot threes a little bit easier. He's got a bright future.  Cooper is going to redshirt and that will be great for him. He needs to get bigger, stronger and continue to improve his fundamentals and skill level.