Pepperdine's men team heads to Italy

The Pepperdine men’s basketball team is going abroad to Europe. From May 4-14, the Waves will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s best treasures: the beautiful country of Italy. With the help of Basketball Travelers, Inc., the men’s basketball program will enjoy touring historic sites, learning the Italian culture and playing four games of basketball against different Italian professional teams.
The NCAA allows collegiate teams to travel out of the country once every four years. The planning began two years ago and the experience is worthwhile to all who make the trip. Pepperdine Coach Tom Asbury has coached previous teams that have gone to Australia, Japan and the Bahamas. He is looking forward to his first encounter in Europe.
Asbury knows the value in this type of unique opportunity, which doesn’t present itself too often. Not only is it valuable for the players’ educational growth by learning and understanding the European lifestyle and their customs, but it signifies the chance to build as a team and prepare for the 2010-11 basketball season. “One of the biggest benefits we get from this is 10 days of extra practice,” Asbury stated. “This is a great time for us to work on our basics and improve as a team, and maybe tinker on some things that we couldn’t do during the season.”
With 13 lettermen returning for next season, the Waves are looking to improve and make positive strides as they embark on another challenging preseason schedule and WCC slate.
Before their European competition begins, Pepperdine must adjust to FIBA rules before they take the court in Rome on May 6 for their first game of the trip vs. Roma Chimici Anagni Basket at the Palazzetto dello Sport. “We have to adjust to international rules such as the shot clock (24 seconds), offensive goaltending and the width of the key,” Asbury explained. “Defensively it changes the approach to the game. Losing 11 seconds off each possession changes things a lot. We will experiment with position changes too.
Andiamo il gioco della pallacanestro! Let’s go play some basketball!
Here is the schedule of games for the Waves:
May 6 vs. Roma Chimici Anagni Basket (a B-1 team) in Rome.
May 8 vs. Sana Basket Siena (the U-21 team of an A-1 team) in Siena.
May 11 vs. Acergas Trieste (a B-1 team) in Trieste.
May 12 vs. Co Mark Treviglio in Treviglio.
Buon Viaggio, Arrivederci e Buona Fortuna Pepperdine!