Penn State men’s basketball looking forward to trip to the Bahamas – The Daily Collegian Online

Penn State's foreign tour to the Bahamas won't just be about soaking up the sun in paradise.

The Nittany Lions will get a head start on the 2017-18 season from Aug. 4-11, when they take part in three exhibition games as part of their first international trip since 2013.

While a great opportunity for teammates to bond and have some fun, Pat Chambers, who enters his 7th year at the helm of Penn State, will undoubtedly also look to use the tour as a business trip as the Nittany Lions look to secure their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011.

This trip is exactly what we need at this point, Chambers told GoPSUSports in May. It will give us the opportunity to work on our chemistry and culture with many new faces. We can reinforce good habits and get a good look at what we need to work on heading into the season. Hopefully we will be ahead of the curve a little bit.

The NCAA permits programs to take an international tour for exhibition games once every four years. The last tour four years ago saw the Nittany Lions travel to Belgium, France and England.

Led by D.J. Newbill and Tim Frazier, that season saw Penn State reach its only postseason berth to date under Chambers.

The exhibitions will allow new faces to get up to speed on live game action and better gel with their teammates.

"I'm looking forward to just seeing how we compete," rising sophomore Lamar Stevens said. "With a new group of freshmen in, just seeing how they mix in with the rest of the group. Overall just going out there and having the experience with my brothers, I'm excited for it all."

Satchel Pierce, who sat out last season after transferring in from Virginia Tech, will make his unofficial debut for the Nittany Lions.

Pierce's physical development caught the eye of several teammates in practices during his redshirt season and that has carried over into summer workouts.

"He's been getting his body right," Reaves said. "He's been in better shape. He's lifting better. It's a good sign to see that he's out here and he really wants to get better. He's willing to compete and do whatever it takes."

In addition to getting his body into better game shape, Pierce's physicality and presence has also translated well on the court.

His 7-foot, 266-pound frame towers over all of his teammates, even fellow big men Julian Moore and Mike Watkins.

"Satchel is a really big but skilled center," Reaves said. "His footwork, his touch from 15-feet, he's so versatile. His screens are just ridiculous; it absolutely sucks to get around him on defense."

Joining Pierce in making their first appearances for Penn State are freshmen Trent Buttrick, John Harrar, and Jamari Wheeler.

Despite being the new kids on the block, the trio has impressed rising sophomore Tony Carr with their work-ethic and attitude.

"They've put their stamp on things since day one," Carr said. "The level of intensity and work-ethic that they have is impressive."

In addition to getting some game experience, the trip will also afford Reaves the chance to work on something a little more personal.

The Oak Hill Academy product said he has a big fear of heights and water, something he'll have to overcome with the plane ride to the Bahamas and the time the team spends on the beach near their temporary home at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

"I'm not a big fan of swimming. Even worse with heights," Reaves said. "So obviously I'm not really a fan of airplanes. I'm going to try and fall asleep before takeoff and hopefully I wake up when we're landing."

Unlike Reaves, Carr and Stevens said they can't wait for the opportunity to hit up the beach when they're not busy with on court duties.

"I'm excited to get my tan on out there," Carr said jokingly. "The beautiful weather. It'll be a good opportunity to take a step back from everything and at the end of the day give us a chance to bond as teammates and become closer."

"Yeah, I'm getting ready for my tan too," Stevens joked.

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Penn State men's basketball looking forward to trip to the Bahamas - The Daily Collegian Online