FAU's 11-day European trip will include stops in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Learning experience

Jarvis says the Owls' upcoming trip to Europe is as much about education as it is about basketball.

Originally published on 8/3/2010

by Chuck King

For Mike Jarvis, the basketball portion of the Owls’ upcoming trip to Europe won’t be nearly as important to his team as the exposure to different cultures.

“Hopefully, [they will see] some things that will help them grow as people and an experience, hopefully, that they will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Jarvis. “Maybe even be slightly encouraged to travel a little bit more, to see a little bit more, to know a little bit more.”

On August 11, Jarvis will take his basketball team on an 11-day journey to Europe, stopping in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. FAU expects to play at least four games against a variety of European professional and club teams.

While the trip will provide valuable early game time on the court, the days of practice prior to boarding the plane will likely be even more valuable.

“The main thing about it as far as the basketball goes is probably the days and the time that we have together before we go,” Jarvis said. “The real value of the basketball is the 11 days that we have to practice and prepare for the trip – for me to get a look in terms of where the kids are, see who’s improved from last year, who’s worked hard on the things they needed to work on, which guys have matured maybe a little more than others.”

The Owls began practicing for the trip on Friday. Newly signed Argentinian guard Pablo Bertone is the only Owl not expected to make the trip. He has yet to arrive on campus.

All about timing: One of the sticking points keeping FAU from releasing its schedule is the idea of allowing more time between games of men’s-women’s doubleheaders.

Jarvis would like the second game of the doubleheader to start an hour after the first game’s final whistle. Past schedules have only allowed a half hour.

Because FAU didn’t add a visiting locker room when upgrading The Burrow two years ago, visiting men’s basketball teams have to wait for the FAU women’s team to exit the locker room before they can enter and at times have to use restrooms that are open to the public.

To get his wish, Jarvis wouldn’t mind playing the opening game of the doubleheader.

“I don’t care who goes first, there just has to be more time between games,” he said.

On the schedule: FAU will play only three payday games this season – at Florida (Nov. 23), at Mississippi St. (Nov. 30) and at DePaul (Dec. 22).

Mid-major games against American (Nov. 20), George Mason (Nov. 27), Hofstra (dec. 11), Siena (Dec. 13) and Manhattan (De. 30) are part of home-and-home series.

Jarvis likes the scheduled games against NAIA teams Warner (Nov. 17) and Florida Memorial (Jan. 3) better than previous home-and-home games against Southeast Louisiana and McNeese St. played by the Owls because the NAIA schools will come to Boca Raton without requiring a reciprocal home game.
 

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