CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team is set to embark on an international trip to Greece in preparation for the 2023-24 season. The Dinos depart Aug. 4 and return 10 days later, playing four games against strong NCAA schools while overseas.

"These trips are special," Dinos head coach Dan Vanhooren said. "They create strong experiences – both on and off the court. Ones that can create relationships that generate trust, lifelong learning that broadens our athletes' perspectives and creates stronger more prepared graduates of our program."

Calgary will spend the majority of its time in Athens, playing four games total in Greece's capital city over the course of eight days.

The first comes Aug. 7 with a contest against Wichita State, with a rematch against the Shockers scheduled for two days later.

Next up is a Saturday contest against Yale before finishing off the trip once again against the defending Ivy League champions the following Monday. 

"Both teams that we'll play against are high-level and well-coached," Vanhooren said. "It is our hope to continue to provide experiences that push our entire program – both players and staff – to higher standards of excellence."

The early time on the court together in real-game situations will prove helpful for this upcoming year's squad. Dylan Lutes and Nate Petrone will get their first real time on the court as Dinos after sitting out all last season as transfers from the Mount Royal Cougars, while a number of redshirts from last season and newcomers will also gain valuable court time together.

In addition to the time on the court, the Dinos will also spend some time taking in the sights, sounds and culture of their host city.

"Athens is an amazing city, with both educational and entertaining sites to see," Vanhooren said. "We're planning to see the Acropolis and other historical sites, as well as have team meetings and film sessions in addition to any site seeing."

This trip marks the second time travelling to Europe for the Dinos program in recent years, after playing five games in Germany back in the summer of 2018.

Games in Greece
Aug. 7 – Wichita State
Aug. 9 – Wichita State
Aug. 12 – Yale
Aug. 14 – Yale

All games scheduled to tipoff at 11 a.m. MT.

-UC-