STANFORD, Calif. - Three weeks remain before Stanford embarks on its 14-day trip to Italy, which includes six games against international competition with stops in Rome, Florence, Venice and Lake Como.
Highlighting the tour are contests against Serie A teams Granarolo Bologna and Consultinvest Pesaro, along with Serie A2 Gold squad Scaligera Basket Verona. The Lega Basket Serie A is the first-tier level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion.
The first leg of Stanford’s trip begins in Rome on Aug. 23 before departing for Florence three days later. After a stop on the Adriatic Coast, the second week of the tour gets underway in Venice. Following a visit to Lake Como, the Cardinal will depart Milan on Sept. 4 and return to campus.
Prior to arriving in Italy, Stanford will spend three days in Washington, D.C., continuing its preparation while visiting the U.S. Capitol and various other monuments and museums.
Here is a quick look at Stanford's current schedule during the tour (dates/opponents/times subject to change):
| Tuesday, Aug. 25 | Stella Azzurra - Rome - 9 a.m. PT |
| Thursday, Aug. 27 | Virtus Bologna - Bologna - 9:30 a.m. PT |
| Saturday, Aug. 29 | Fileni BPA JESI - Adriatic Coast - 11:30 a.m. PT |
| Sunday, Aug. 30 | Consultinvest Pesaro - Adriatic Coast - 11:30 a.m. PT |
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | Mantovana Stings - Mantova - 9 a.m. PT |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | Scaligera Basket Verona - Mantova - 8 a.m. PT |
Stanford will hold 10 team practices over the summer. The NCAA allows teams to travel overseas for an international tour once every four years. The Cardinal previously toured Spain (2011), Italy (2007) and Australia/New Zealand (2001).
In addition to the games, the Cardinal’s cultural experience will be enhanced with stops at the Colosseum, Vatican, St. Peter’s Square, Sistine Chapel and Lake Como. A visit to the Stanford Institute in Florence, part of the Bing Overseas Studies Program, is also on the schedule.
"Our foreign tour to Italy will be an amazing cultural and team-building experience," said Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men's Basketball Johnny Dawkins. "It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the art and culture of ancient Rome, Florence and Venice. This will help us improve on the court as we get the chance to compete against other teams, in addition to off the court, as we strengthen our bonds as friends and teammates.”