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http://www.hornetsports.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/releases/20160720kaey3i
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento State men's basketball program is one day shy of boarding a plane and making its first-ever trip to Taiwan to compete in the 38th-annual William Jones Cup, an eight-game tournament in New Taipei City. In fact, it marks the first-ever trip abroad for the Sacramento State men's basketball program.
Stay tuned for daily updates that will be delivered each morning via http://www.hornetsports.com complete with brief game stories, player blogs and more. All 14 players will share their thoughts of the trip via blogs throughout the tournament.
Here are a number of answers to questions you might have about the team's trip.
Who will the Hornets play at the tournament?
Sacramento State will play eight games over a span of nine days (July 23-31) at the Hsingchuang Gymnasium (capacity 6,500) in New Taipei City. Of the Hornets' eight opponents, seven will be national teams. The Hornets will be playing national squads from India, Korea, Iran, Japan and a pair of Chinese Taipei teams. Sacramento State will also play a game against a professional team from the Philippines.
What is the team's schedule?
New Taipei City is 15 hours ahead of Sacramento, and each of the Hornets' eight games will be played between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The Hornets will play one game at 10 p.m. PDT, four games at midnight, one at 2 a.m., and a pair at 4 a.m. Below is the schedule of games that reflects Sacramento time. The Hornets' first game of the tournament will take place at Midnight Friday/Saturday. So, that game will end about 2 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Friday, July 22 - Midnight Friday/Saturday vs. India
Saturday, July 23 - 10 p.m. vs. Korea
Sunday, July 24 - Midnight Sunday/Monday vs. Iran
Tuesday, July 26 - 2 a.m. vs. Philippines
Wednesday, July 27 - 4 a.m. vs. Chinese Taipei B
Wednesday, July 27 - Midnight Wednesday/Thursday vs. Egypt
Saturday, July 30 - 4 a.m. vs. Chinese Taipei A
Saturday, July 30 - Midnight Saturday/Sunday vs. Japan
Will there be live video streams available for the games?
We have been told there will be live video streams for viewers in the United States. Each of the 36 games at the tournament are being televised in Taiwan by the Videoland Sport Channel. There is a potential for live video streams through their YouTube page by clicking here and we have been told there is a chance for live video streams via this link as well.
Is this a round robin or a bracket tournament?
This is a round robin tournament with each of the nine teams playing eight games apiece. The records for each team at the end of the tournament determine the placing as a champion will be crowned at an award ceremony on the final day.
What type of rules will be featured at the tournament?
The tournament will be played using FIBA international rules. Below are some of the major differences between international rules, and the collegiate rules Sacramento State is used to playing.
- International shot clock is 24 seconds. The collegiate shot clock is 30 seconds.
- International rules specify four 10-minute quarters. Collegiate rules are two 20-minute halves.
- Once the ball strikes the rim, any player can play the ball (i.e. swat it away or tap it in) regardless if its above the imaginary cylinder that exists directly above the rim.
- The 3-point line is measured from the center of the basket, so 3-pointers will be shot from 22 feet, 1.75 inches around the arc, and 21 feet, 7.8 inches near the sidelines. The distance in college is 20 feet, 9 inches around the entire arc.
- First half begins with a jump ball; alternating possession at the beginning of all other periods.
- Once a team has control of the ball in the backcourt, that team has 8 seconds to proceed to the frontcourt. The collegiate rule is 10 seconds.
- The ball is still in play if it passes over the backboard in either direction, providing that it does not hit a basket support.
What are some advantages Sacramento State enjoys by going on an international trip during the summer?
NCAA rules specify that a Div. I basketball team can practice 10 days (for any duration of time during those 10 days) prior to competition on a foreign tour. So, while most Div. I basketball squads are currently limited to two hours a week of practice at this time of year, the Hornets will have enjoyed 10 days of practice before boarding the plane tomorrow. Add on the eight games the Hornets will compete and any other practice time the team will accrue in Taiwan, and that's a significant amount of team development gained prior to the beginning of the academic year. The NCAA allows a Div. I basketball team one foreign tour every four years.
What are the team's goals on the trip?
Head coach Brian Katz has stated the team's three primary goals for the trip are team development for the upcoming season, team bonding, and have fun.
Does Sacramento State have any ties to Taiwan?
Yes. One of the Hornets' top returners, sophomore guard Jeff Wu, was born and raised in Taipei City, Taiwan. Wu moved to the United States prior to his sophomore year of high school, and is the first men's basketball player from Taiwan to receive a Div. I athletic scholarship. As a true freshman last season, Wu was one of five Hornets to play in all 31 games and served as the Hornets' sixth man a good portion of the season.
Do the Hornets have an off day during the tournament?
Yes, the team has one off day. After playing games on six consecutive days, the Hornets will get Friday, July 29 (in Taiwan) as an off day. They finish the tournament with games on the final two days.
How many players can the Hornets suit up in each game?
The tournament specifies that only 12 players can be used for each game. Sacramento State is bringing 14 players on the trip, and true freshman George Dancer will not play as he recovers from a knee injury. So, the Hornets will have to sit one additional player each game.