LA Tech preps for Costa Rica Foreign Tour

RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team is three practices into their 10-practice schedule as the Bulldogs are one week away from beginning their travels to Costa Rica for a foreign tour trip.

The bulk of the practices have had a high emphasis on skill development as well as putting in the foundation pieces on offense and defense.

The team is also getting used to playing with FIBA balls and understanding FIBA rules such as a 24-second shot clock since that is what will take place when they play their two exhibition games in Central America against the Costa Rica National Team and Coopenae San Ramon ARBA on Aug. 12 and 13, respectively.

“There is a real excitement,” fourth-year head coach Eric Konkol said. “It’s months before our season begins, but we are getting an opportunity to have these practices while knowing we have a great experience on the horizon.

“So far, I really like the team’s competitiveness, their energy level and their willingness to learn. All of those things have been at a high level.”

After the 10th and final practice on Aug. 10, the Bulldogs will bus to Houston where they will spend the night and then wake up the next day to take a direct flight to San Jose, Costa Rica with a flight time of approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

The first exhibition game will take place in San Jose in BN Arena at 9 p.m. CT while the second exhibition game will be in San Ramon at Gimnasio Gabelo Conejo, also at 9 p.m. CT.

The remainder of the trip will involve team-bonding experiences like community service activities, sightseeing and excursions before returning to Ruston on Aug. 17.

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