In preparation for the 2011-12 season, the Stony Brook University men's basketball team will embark on an 11-day tour of Europe through Dublin, London and Paris Aug. 11-22 and will play five exhibition games against local club teams. It is the program's first-ever trip outside North America."I am very excited that we have the opportunity to visit three historic cities in Europe as a team," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "With thousands of years of history and culture to visit, this will be an educational trip for our student-athletes. We also look forward to the practice time and the exhibition games that the trip allows us to use, which will give our athletes the chance to play together, especially the newcomers, in preparation for our regular season."
The team will leave for Europe on Aug. 11 and arrive in Dublin the morning of Aug. 12. While there, the team will have the chance to visit the James Joyce Centre, dedicated to the city's most celebrated author, the Old Library, home to the Book of Kells and Book of Durrow, and Kilmainham Jail, which has been converted into a museum.
While in Dublin, the Seawolves will take on Killester on Aug. 13 at the Irish Wheelchair Association and UCD Marian on Aug. 14 at the UCD Sports Centre.
On Aug. 15, the team will make its way to London, where it will get to see Buckingham Palace, home to the British Monarchy, Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world and London Tower, the ancient fortress founded by William the Conqueror. London will also serve as a homecoming for senior forward Danny Carter, who is a native of Windsor, a mere 25 miles from London.
The team will play Midnight Madness on Aug. 17 at the Crystal Palace National Indoor Arena and the MK Lions on Aug. 18 at MK Lions Arena.
On Aug. 19, Stony Brook will travel to Paris, where it will get to see the Eiffel Tower, the world's tallest building for 42 years from 1889-1931, the Louvre, home to some of the most important art collections in the world, including the Mona Lisa, and Notre Dame, one of the most famous cathedrals in the world.
On Aug. 20, the team will take on Charenton at Complexe Nelson in its final exhibition of the tour.
In accordance with NCAA rules regarding foreign exhibition trips, the Seawolves will get to hold 10 practice days prior to the trip to get into game-ready shape. The Seawolves return 12 lettermen from last season's team that advanced to the America East Championship final for the first time in program history, including All-America East senior guard Bryan Dougher and All-America East junior forward Tommy Brenton, who is returning from an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2010-11 season. Also, the team will welcome freshman forward Scott King and junior transfer forward Ron Bracey.
The trip was set up through Basketball Travelers, Inc. All games played will be under FIBA Rules.
2011-12 Stony Brook Men's Basketball European Tour (All games scheduled on WUSB)
Schedule on www.wusb.fm/sports
