The men’s basketball team embarked on an opportunity of a lifetime as they traveled to Italy this summer to play three exhibition games, and to experience all that Italy has to offer.

“We were a little bit loose with some things as you might expect after you spend time touring around Venice or on the bus to get to Rome,” head coach Ben Jacobson said.

UNI went 3-0 on the trip, defeating Baskethood, 108-75, in the first game in Verona, Italy.  Following their first matchup, the team traveled to Vicenza, Italy, to take on the Vicenza All-Stars.  The Panthers would best their previous 33-point victory with a 101-64 rout.  The Purple and Gold traveled to Rome for their third matchup finishing undefeated on the trip.

Aside from the games, the Panthers were able to experience the sights of Italy.

“To spend one day going to the Colosseum and getting a guided tour there,” Jacobson said.  “The next day you go to the Vatican and get a guided tour.  To be able to learn about those two places.  We spent an afternoon in Venice walking around and seeing that, and an afternoon/evening in Florence.  So, to be able to really touch on the cultural spots and learn about a number of those places is something that might be a once in a lifetime deal, and to experience it together as a team.  That part of it is really awesome.”

One of Jacobson’s main takeaways from the trip is the importance of team bonding.  “The best part of the trip is the camaraderie and spending time together … You see each other in a little bit of a different light,” Jacobson said.  “We learned some things about the players.  The players learned some things about us as coaches. That dynamic was really good on this trip.”

The Panthers have experience and chemistry heading into the 2019-20 season with 10 returning players.

“We’ve got a different experience level than what we had a year ago, and you can see that in our guys,” Jacobson said.  “They’ve just got a much better understanding a year into our new offense and a year playing together.  We miss Wyatt [Lohaus].  We miss Miles [Wentzien], but the rest of them they’ve all played together and you can see that on this trip.”