Hogs’ basketball team sets summer trip to Italy
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ men’s basketball team will play at least three games against professional squads while on a preseason tour of Italy in mid- August, it was announced Thursday.
The Razorbacks depart Aug. 10 for Milan and return to Arkansas Aug. 19 with stops in Florence, Rome, Pisa and Vatican City included.
“This is a great opportunity for our basketball team, and I appreciate the support of Jeff Long [ University of Arkansas vice chancellor and director of athletics] and the administration,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said in a release. “Not only does this trip allow us to get 10 days of practice prior to leaving, but we’ll have the opportunity to play several games and share a great cultural experience with our team.
“With nine new players on our roster, our team will have an opportunity to bond and really get to know each other on and off the court. I’ve taken teams on preseason trips ... and they were a tremendous benefit to us.”
Arkansas’ eight returning players from last season’s team, which went 18- 14 in Anderson’s first season as UA coach, include junior forward Marshawn Powell and second- team allSoutheastern Conference guard BJ Young, who led SEC freshmen in scoring. The Razorback coaching staff signed four incoming freshmen and two transfers and has three players who either redshirted or transferred in last season.
ESPN to televise ASU- Oregon game
JONESBORO — ESPN will televise Gus Malzahn’s opening game as Arkansas State football coach when the Red Wolves play at Oregon Sept. 1.
Scheduled for 9: 30 p. m. at Autzen Stadium, the game is one of three ASU nonconference dates currently slated for TV. The Red Wolves host Memphis at 6 p. m. Sept. 8 on ESPN3. com, and their Sept. 15 game at Nebraska airs air at 11 a. m. on an ESPN network to be named later.
Three ASU games are included in the Sun Belt Conference’s TV package. ESPNU carries the Red Wolves’ Oct. 4 game at Florida International ( 6: 30 p. m.) and Nov. 8 home game against Louisiana- Monroe ( 6 p. m.) and ESPN2 airs the school’s Oct. 23 game at Louisiana- Lafayette ( 7 p. m.).