It’s going to be Toronto in August for the Bowling Green men’s basketball team.
The Falcons will get a jump-start on the season with a trip to Toronto just before fall semester classes
begin.
“It’s a matter of bringing guys together, bonding, developing chemistry
and getting a head start on the season. It’s a big positive in those
areas,” BG head coach Louis Orr said.
The biggest advantage will be 10 days of practice before the trip as the
Falcons are basically a young team with only two players — seniors
Scott Thomas and Dee Brown — who have three years of playing experience.
“We have a good mix of veterans and youth and to give them a chance to
play together and practice together this early can be a great benefit,”
Orr said. “They’ll play with referees and a crowd so it can really be a
positive tool.
“To be quite honest, the practices are as valuable as the games,” Orr continued. “For our team it’s going
to be a big plus.”
The timing of the trip allows Bowling Green’s three freshmen — Jehvon
Clarke, Desmond Rorie and Chauncey Orr — to make the trip if their
eligibility has been approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse.
“That’s an added plus,” coach Orr said.
The team bus leaves Bowling Green on Aug. 16 and the team will be able
to do some sightseeing on Aug. 17 before playing three games on three
consecutive days. The games will be played at Seneca College. The
Falcons face the University of Guelph and a team of college and
international players. The third opponent has not been set.
“Toronto is close enough so that the travel is not that hard,” coach Orr
said. “We’ll get a day where we can look around and see some of the
things in Toronto and get a little educational experience. It’s a
positive thing for a college student to see another country.
“All around it’s going to be a great trip for us.”