Marquette men's basketball prepares to head to Italy on foreign tour

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Marquette men's basketball team got quite the sendoff in their final practice before heading to Italy with fan in the stands inside the Al McGuire Center.

"I told the guys, there's division one schools that have less than this many fans that come to their real games," said Shaka Smart, Marquette men's head coach. "Good energy in the building tonight."

Shaka Smart says he'll be brushing up on his Italian on the plane over. He made the trip as a head coach with VCU in 2012. For his players, this is their first time in Italy. They will have journals with them to help them recall their memories from the trip as well.

It's a ten-day trip starting Thursday with major stops in Rome, Florence, Milan and Lake Como. The Golden Eagles will play three games overseas.

"So, we have three goals, grow, learn and have fun," said Stevie Mitchell, a Marquette junior guard. "I just want to be able say I went to Italy, had a little fun grew my relationships with my teammates. We got three wins in our three games."

"(We) Get to go see the coliseum, that's something you see in history books. Not everybody gets to go see that, especially at my age. I'm just blessed to have the opportunity to be able to do that," said freshman guard Tre Norman.

The only player who won't play is sophomore forward Ben Gold who is dealing with shin splints and is in a walking boot. For the rest of the team, coming off one of the most successful seasons in team history, Shaka is hoping this trip serves as another boost.

"Last year is over. This is an opportunity to take a jump as a program and each of our players individually. And we can do that as long as our focus remains on growth, relationships and what goes into victory," said Smart.

Italy is really the place to be for Marquette basketball. The women's team is also heading overseas to Italy starting on August 9 through August 18.