Iowa men’s basketball starts 3-game European swing Tuesday in Paris

The quality of the opposition won’t measure up to the quality of the sites, but how could it?

The Iowa men’s basketball team is playing what is being called the Paris All-Stars, the Valencia All-Stars and the Barcelona All-Stars on a three-game European trip in those three cities in France and Spain. The Hawkeyes departed Iowa Saturday.

As vacation destinations go, those are pretty good.

“It’s much more than a basketball experience,” Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said. “It’s a cultural, educational team-bonding opportunity.

“I’ve been fortunate to do this more than a few times. The impact is so much more impressive when it comes to the big picture than it is specifically relating to basketball. The games themselves are moderately important.”

The games begin Tuesday at noon (CT) in Paris. The Hawkeyes then move to Spain to play in Valencia in Friday and Barcelona next Monday, also at noon (CT). They will be opportunities for Iowa’s coaches to see their six new players — four freshmen and two transfers — against outside competition.

Recommended Reading

Rookies sound ready to rock and roll for Hawkeyes men’s basketball

“We don’t have a starting lineup now,” McCaffery said. “We don’t want to have a starting lineup in August. So we’ll put three different teams (of seven players) together.

“Each one of my assistants is going to coach a game, and we’ll have different combinations. I want everybody to go over there and feel like they have ample opportunity to play.”

Comments: (319) 398-8440; mike.hlas@thegazette.com