2008 Woodie Awards
MSU prepares to kick off 4-day Barbados tour
Issue date: 8/28/08
Section: Mens Sports
The Minnesota State men's basketball team will travel to Barbados today for a four-day basketball tour.
This is the first time MSU has sent a team overseas. They are first scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the 2008 Barbados Club championship team. They continue playing on Saturday and Sunday against the Combined Club Barbados All-Stars.
The team will have to adjust to a few different rule changes that make the game different from NCAA games.
The international rules include four 10-minute periods an eight-second backcourt violation, and a 24-second shot clock. This shouldn't be too difficult for a team that was 10-2 in North Central Conference play last season.
The Mavericks also have earned births to the NCAA tournament over the last two seasons. This will be a chance for the team to bond before the season starts and provide an opportunity for coach Matt Margenthaler to see what kind of product he is putting on the court.
The team will also receive 10 additional days of practice due to its involvement in the tournament.
"Those 10 days of practice are going to be huge for us," Margenthaler said. "It gives us a chance to smooth things out and make an easy transition into October and November when the real season starts."
Margenthaler shouldn't have much trouble with this season's squad. The team has been 76-20 over the last three seasons under Margenthaler, and players such as Jake Morrow (16 ppg), Jadee Jones (13 ppg) and Mitch Gosson (9 ppg) will be asked to lead this team not only in Barbados, but during the season.
Morrow, along with other players, is excited about the upcoming trip.
"The trip is going to be great for the team," he said. "The opportunity to get together and create some team chemistry before the season starts will be important for us. Our goal is to win the conference championship and go back to the NCAA tournament. We think this trip will help us achieve that."
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I think the veterans along with the newer guys will appreciate it."
This is the first time MSU has sent a team overseas. They are first scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the 2008 Barbados Club championship team. They continue playing on Saturday and Sunday against the Combined Club Barbados All-Stars.
The team will have to adjust to a few different rule changes that make the game different from NCAA games.
The international rules include four 10-minute periods an eight-second backcourt violation, and a 24-second shot clock. This shouldn't be too difficult for a team that was 10-2 in North Central Conference play last season.
The Mavericks also have earned births to the NCAA tournament over the last two seasons. This will be a chance for the team to bond before the season starts and provide an opportunity for coach Matt Margenthaler to see what kind of product he is putting on the court.
The team will also receive 10 additional days of practice due to its involvement in the tournament.
"Those 10 days of practice are going to be huge for us," Margenthaler said. "It gives us a chance to smooth things out and make an easy transition into October and November when the real season starts."
Margenthaler shouldn't have much trouble with this season's squad. The team has been 76-20 over the last three seasons under Margenthaler, and players such as Jake Morrow (16 ppg), Jadee Jones (13 ppg) and Mitch Gosson (9 ppg) will be asked to lead this team not only in Barbados, but during the season.
Morrow, along with other players, is excited about the upcoming trip.
"The trip is going to be great for the team," he said. "The opportunity to get together and create some team chemistry before the season starts will be important for us. Our goal is to win the conference championship and go back to the NCAA tournament. We think this trip will help us achieve that."
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I think the veterans along with the newer guys will appreciate it."
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