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Show sports tour a success Cagers basketball European & n 4 n Tuesday, September 25, 1990 page 33 TEAM TRYOUTS OPEN TO BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PLAYERS FOR INFORMATION, CALL DANIEL AT players. He did that. But in addition, a visit to Piccadilly Circus, a tour through Windsor Castle, a cruise through the canals of Amsterdam all added an extra dimension to a summer European basketball tour that included much more than basketball. Seven current hoopsters and one former traveled to Europe Aug. 22, where they packed 10 games and miles of travel into 20 days. The Thunderbirds won two of the contests and had several tight games, including one overtime loss. Roberts was pleased with his teams performance. Many college teams dont even win a game on the European tour, he said. Although the team took time out to take part in a once in a lifetime cultural experience, the coaches also grabbed the opportunity to observe the strengths and weaknesses of the team and each individual player. The team improved drastically, said Roberts. Two players improved drastically, and the younger players gained confidence. We got a chance to try out some new things, some of them worked, and some of them didnt. We saw some things we had never seen before, some of which we are going to use. One of the greatest opportunities for improvement was the five extra weeks to get in shape precious time most teams dont get. The extra playing time together as a unit and the maturity factor could go a long way next season, according to Roberts. The Birds competed against what are basically European professional teams. We played 10 games against teams that were loaded with former American college stars and some former NBA players, Roberts said. Robert Butler, a former UNLV Runnin Rebel, and Larry Spriggs were two Americans who found a home in international basketball. But according to Roberts the playing conditions on the tour were sometimes less than desirable. We played on wood, linoleum, and tile floors, wood and metal backboards, unpadded glass backboards where you would cut your arm if you hit it. One rim was bent down and couldnt be straightened without breaking it. So the game was played with one bent rim and one straight rim, he said. From botn a cultural and an athletic standpoint, Roberts viewed the trip as a complete success, but it is a privilege Division I teams may only enjoy every four years. Playing these games cant but help the team for the coming season, said Roberts. The basketball season opens against Ghent, France, a team SUSC faced twice on the tour, on Nov. 10 in the Centrum. THL'NDERB1RD SIGN-U- P BY BRIAN HOWARD Basketball Coach Neil Roberts was probably planning to improve a few of his teams offensive skills and give a little confidence to the younger the SOCCER CLUBTEAM trip helpful in all ways, says coach i Outdoors 865-173- 5 OR SEAN AT A SIGN-U- P 865-153- 9 TABLE WILL BE IN THE STUDENT CENTER IT THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 0 20 FF ' OLD FASHIONED ' Purchsso with student I.D. nfiHEunauns,. Welcome Back Students til Hjlil H'1 Ij&JM tiKtHilii 124 South Llain r CD 5) (ffi)vQ)a) I -- 4 |