Arizona Basketball Team Going on a 12-Game Excursion to Europe
University of Arizona basketball Coach Lute Olson says his Wildcats will play 12 games against European amateur teams during a 22-day trip beginning May 19 in Paris.
Olson said that the 12 members of this past season’s Arizona club, which went 21-10 and earned an NCAA tournament berth, are eligible to go on the trip--providing they are in good academic standing at the end of the spring semester.
The NCAA permits one foreign trip every four years and this would be the first ever for the Arizona program.
“Aside from the obvious educational value in visiting Paris, Amsterdam and Rome, the trip will greatly benefit the program,” Olson said. “The recruiting value is one benefit. The tour goes along with our efforts to establish our program as one of the best in the country.”
The Wildcats are scheduled to face teams from Yugoslavia, France, the Netherlands, the Soviet Union and Italy and Olson said most of the opponents are gearing for the European Championships and are therefore ready to play at a high level.
Olson said the trip will help mature his club’s seven underclassman and give the seniors a chance to be scouted by European professional teams.
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