Toledo to Host Grand Valley State in Exhibition on Saturday in 2:00 p.m. Matinee

Saturday, October 19

Toledo, Ohio

2:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

Grand Valley State (Exh.)

Sophomore Sonny Wilson was named to the MAC's All-Freshman Team last season.

Photo by: Daniel Miller/University of Toledo

Toledo to Host Grand Valley State in Exhibition on Saturday in 2:00 p.m. Matinee

10/15/2024 2:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Admission is free to see four-time defending MAC Champions in action

TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo men's basketball team will play its first of two exhibition games this month when it hosts Grand Valley State in Savage Arena on Saturday, Oct. 19. Tip-off time is set for 2:00 p.m. Admission is free, with free parking by Savage Arena in Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 18.available from 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m..

Saturday's exhibition will also be an opportunity for fans to contribute to the Clash of the Cans: Rockets vs. Falcons Food Drive. All donations made will benefit Rocket Fuel, the student food pantry on campus that provides food aid for UToledo students who are in need. Acceptable items to donate include canned goods, rice/pasta/beans/oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, popcorn, trail mix, water, and non-food items. If unable to provide food, dollar donations will also be accepted.

"Exhibition games against schools like Grand Valley are great for us," said Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk, who is one of five active coaches in the nation to win four consecutive outright league titles. "They are a really well-coached team from a good league and have players that we have evaluated during the recruiting process. This is a big game for them, so we'll get their best shot."

Kowalczyk said he is happy with the way his team has developed since holding its first official practice in late September.

"I like this team and we are more talented and deeper than we were last season," Kowalczyk said. "I'm not sure about what our rotations will look like at this point. That's something that will work itself out as our season progresses."

The Rockets are looking to continue their historic run as the only current MAC program ever to win four consecutive outright league titles. Toledo is returning two starters from last year's squad that posted a 20-12 overall record and 14-4 league mark. Sophomore forward Javan Simmons (12.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg) earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors, while sophomore guard Sonny Wilson (8.0 ppg, 2.2 apg) was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team.

Toledo also has added veteran transfers Isaiah Adams (12.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.7 apg at Buffalo), Seth Hubbard (14.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg at WMU), and Colin O'Rourke (17. 5 ppg, 6.2 rpg at Wisconsin-Parkside).

Located in Allendale, Mich., Grand Valley State advanced to the GLIAC Championship game last year and returns eight rotation players, including six of their top eight scorers. All-GLIAC performers Ethan Alderink (11.6 ppg) and William Dunn (11.2) each averaged double figures in scoring a season ago. Point guards Mason Docks (10.0 ppg, 2.7 apg) and Trevor Smith Jr. (6.5 ppg, 3.3 apg) also return after being named to the All-GLIAC Defensive Team last season.

The Rockets will be meeting GVSU for the first time in exhibition play. Toledo defeated the Lakers by a 108-58 margin in a regular-season contest on Nov. 16, 1998 in the only meeting between the two schools.

UT will be playing a second exhibition game at the University of Michigan next week when it travels to Ann Arbor on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Toledo opens its regular season in Alabama with a MAC-Sun Belt Challenge matchup at Troy on Monday, Nov. 4.

Single-game and season tickets for men's basketball are on sale now. For more information or to purchase season tickets, 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.