NCAA rules allow every Division 1 men’s basketball program to take an international trip as a team every 4 years. Some teams travel to Canada, Asia or somewhere more tropical. The Providence College Friars will travel to another popular overseas trip locale this Summer – Italy.  The trip will be for 10 days from August 12th-22nd. No specifics have been announced about opponents or number of games but it seems reasonable to assume that the Friars will play about 4 games against Italian professional teams during their stay.

The benefits of these trips are numerous for teams. One of the more obvious benefits is being able to play against someone other than yourself. This is especially valuable for coaches to be able to see any transfers and/or freshman compete in a game atmosphere. The additional practice allowed as a result of and during these trips is another benefit. Normally relegated to 8 weeks of offseason work at only 2 hour per week clips, this trip will afford Coach Cooley and his staff an additional 10 practices before the trip and all kinds of additional practice and game scenarios to evaluate, teach and get a feel for their team during the trip itself. But, at least in my opinion, where the largest benefit of these trips lies is in the bonding and team building potential. Last year we heard from more than one player about the benefit that the preseason Navy SEAL training that the 2013-2014 Friars underwent in August 2013.

Continue reading #pcbb On: The Benefits of a Preseason International Trip for Providence →