Post by elp525 on Aug 5, 2011 4:49:23 GMT -5
08/04/2011
Andrew Jerome
Morgantown
As the WVU school year approaches, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams are preparing for their 2011-2012 seasons quite differently than the past three years.
The men’s squad held practice on Thursday, preparing for their preseason trip to Europe. The team will travel to Italy to play several games on a 15 day tour, allowed by the NCAA every four years.
Among the competition the Mountaineers will face is the University of Illinois men’s team. Typically the NCAA does not allow two teams to scrimmage overseas, but both teams were granted permission. They will play twenty minutes against each other in front of members of the Armed Forces at Aviano Air Force Base.
Freshman forward Keaton Miles believes the trip will give the Mountaineers an advantage over future competition.
“It’s going to be very special,” said Miles. “I believe that being able to get that experience against another D-1 school and even if it’s for twenty minutes we’ll be able to run our plays and work on what we’ve been working on in practice.”
The Gold and Blue will have had 10 practices before their flight next Monday. Freshman Aaron Brown says he has seen improvement already.
“We’re definitely getting better with the plays,” says Brown. “There are a lot of plays so once we get them down we’ll be fine. The most challenging part to me would be the counter; we run a lot of different sets off of one play.”
Dayton transfer Juwan Staten says he will not be able to make the trip due to NCAA regulations. However, he has seen the players grow in the little time they have been on campus.
“Coach Huggins wants to play more of an up-tempo style of play so I’ve definitely seen that,” says Staten. “I like the players, I like the strides that we’re making as a team too. It’s practically a brand new team, but everybody is getting better, learning plays, so it’s becoming a smooth transition.”
“I really didn’t know what to expect. I came here with an open mind and I’m pleased with everything I’ve seen while I’ve been here.”
Andrew Jerome
Morgantown
As the WVU school year approaches, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams are preparing for their 2011-2012 seasons quite differently than the past three years.
The men’s squad held practice on Thursday, preparing for their preseason trip to Europe. The team will travel to Italy to play several games on a 15 day tour, allowed by the NCAA every four years.
Among the competition the Mountaineers will face is the University of Illinois men’s team. Typically the NCAA does not allow two teams to scrimmage overseas, but both teams were granted permission. They will play twenty minutes against each other in front of members of the Armed Forces at Aviano Air Force Base.
Freshman forward Keaton Miles believes the trip will give the Mountaineers an advantage over future competition.
“It’s going to be very special,” said Miles. “I believe that being able to get that experience against another D-1 school and even if it’s for twenty minutes we’ll be able to run our plays and work on what we’ve been working on in practice.”
The Gold and Blue will have had 10 practices before their flight next Monday. Freshman Aaron Brown says he has seen improvement already.
“We’re definitely getting better with the plays,” says Brown. “There are a lot of plays so once we get them down we’ll be fine. The most challenging part to me would be the counter; we run a lot of different sets off of one play.”
Dayton transfer Juwan Staten says he will not be able to make the trip due to NCAA regulations. However, he has seen the players grow in the little time they have been on campus.
“Coach Huggins wants to play more of an up-tempo style of play so I’ve definitely seen that,” says Staten. “I like the players, I like the strides that we’re making as a team too. It’s practically a brand new team, but everybody is getting better, learning plays, so it’s becoming a smooth transition.”
“I really didn’t know what to expect. I came here with an open mind and I’m pleased with everything I’ve seen while I’ve been here.”
