The two-time defending Mid-American Conference champion Toledo men’s basketball program is nearing the completion of its 2022-23 schedule, Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk recently announced. The Rockets’ current schedule includes 18 MAC contests and 12 non-conference games with one more opponent to be determined.
Highlighting Toledo’s non-conference slate will be matchups vs. 2022 NCAA Tournament participants Richmond, UAB and Vermont, as well as a trip to Florida for the Gulf Coast Showcase. The Rockets also will be visiting 2022 NIT participant and defending Missouri Valley Conference champion Northern Iowa as part of their non-conference slate.
“We have designed our schedule for a team with a goal to play deep into the postseason,” said Kowalczyk, who has guided the Rockets to a 112-51 (.687) record over the last five seasons. “I think this is the best non-conference schedule we’ve had, and it’s one that I believe has the capability of receiving an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. I don’t know if I’ve seen many mid-major non-conference schedules as difficult as this and all it can do is help us.
“We have some really good home games highlighted by Richmond, and we’re facing UAB at a neutral site as well as Vermont, George Mason, Marshall and Northern Iowa on the road. There’s not a weak team on our schedule, and we’re still looking to add a road game against a high-major team.”
Toledo opens its season at home vs. Valparaiso on Nov. 7 before traveling to Philadelphia to face UAB on Nov. 11 in the first-ever Barstool Classic at the Wells Fargo Center. The Rockets will then host Oakland on Nov. 16 followed by playing three games in three days at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla. on Nov. 21-23.
The Rockets will return home on Nov. 30 for a rematch against Richmond. Toledo dropped a 72-69 road decision to the Spiders last year.
Toledo will then play four of five games in December on the road with its lone home date coming vs. MAAC foe Canisius on Dec. 10. In addition to their matchup against the Golden Griffins, the Rockets will play at George Mason (Dec. 3), Northern Iowa (Dec. 6), Marshall (Dec. 17) and Vermont (Dec. 20).
UToledo will open league play with home games vs. Ball State (Jan. 3) and Western Michigan (Jan. 7). The Rockets’ remaining home dates are vs. Ohio (Jan. 17), Eastern Michigan (Jan. 24), Bowling Green (Jan. 28), Central Michigan (Feb. 4), Miami (Feb. 14), Akron (Feb. 21) and Buffalo (Feb. 25). Toledo will face Kent State, Northern Illinois, Ohio and Western Michigan only once this season.
The conference office will release a full men’s basketball television schedule at a later date, with games on Saturday potentially being moved to Friday night.
Toledo returns four starters from last year’s 26-8 squad. Senior forwards Setric Millner Jr. (15.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and JT Shumate (15.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg) will lead the frontcourt, while junior RayJ Dennis (12.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.1 apg) and sophomore Ra’Heim Moss (8.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg) are returning starters in the backcourt.
Season tickets for the men’s basketball program 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.
