By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Rick Pitino’s Iona Gaels squad has been on the road trip across Greece as part of preparations for the upcoming season and their first opponent was Peristeri, with whom the American coach is quite acquainted.
“It was a great experience for us. We played against a professional team that will compete in the Champions League. Three of their players played for my national team, they are outstanding. The coach was my assistant coach, so, this was a wonderful experience,” Pitino said and explained what this experience means to the team, despite the initial 82-72 loss, even compared to the NBA.
“We lost by ten but we gained a lot. What are players learned more than anything is that FIBA basketball is three times as physical as the NBA and five times as physical as college basketball, n the way the game’s played.”
Iona will face off against Lavrio tomorrow while they’ll also have the chance to play Pitino’s former team in Panathinaikos later on.
“It’s gonna help us moving forward but absolutely great experience, the best foreign trip I’ve had in terms of competition because these are pro teams that will try to make the Final Four in their league.”
POSTGAME REACTION:@RealPitino following G1 in Greece#ICMBB pic.twitter.com/9gpUOTIJaD
— Iona Men’s Basketball (@IonaGaelsMBB) August 21, 2021