Video: Tulane men’s hoops departs Saturday for World University Games

The olive and blue will become the red, white and blue for the next couple of weeks.

The Tulane men’s basketball team leaves Saturday night for China, where it will represent the United States in the men’s basketball tournament of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China.

It’s a great test for Ron Hunter’s team against international competition, all the while giving him a chance to work in his new players with a group of returnees led by Jayden Forbes, Kevin Cross and Sion James.

One of the newcomers is St. John’s transfer Kolby King, who could move into the lead guard spot left open by Jalen Cook, who transferred back to LSU.

Tulane will play an exhibition game against China next week before beginning pool play – a run of three games in three days – on July 29. After pool play, the teams will be seeded into two brackets and play three additional games.

Clemson represented the USA at the last World University Games in Italy in 2019.

RELEASE: Schedule Released for 2023 World University Games

NEW ORLEANS – The 2023 Summer Universiade announced the competition schedule for the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China. Tulane will represent Team USA in the games which are set to begin on July 28 with Opening Ceremonies.

China is exactly 13 hours ahead of the Central time zone and is on the other side of the International Date Line.

Team USA will open with pool play beginning on Saturday, July 29, against Poland. The game is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT)/7:30 p.m. China Standard Time (CST). Game two of pool play will feature Team USA against Japan at 10 p.m. Saturday/11 a.m. Sunday, July 30. Team USA will finish pool play with a matchup against Czech Republic on Monday, July 31, at 6:30 a.m./7:30 p.m. All three pool play games will be played at Qingbaijiang Sports Centre Gymnasium.

After pool play is completed the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will all be held at Fenghuangshan Sports Park Gymnasium. The quarterfinals are set for Wednesday, August 2, with games 12 a.m./3 p.m. and 6:30 a.m./7:30 p.m. The semifinal matchups will be played on Friday, August 4, at 12 a.m./3 p.m. and 6:30 a.m./7:30 p.m. Lastly, the finals or gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday, August 6, at 8:30 a.m./9:30 p.m.

Team USA Schedule
• Pool Play (CDT/CST)
o Saturday, July 29
 USA vs. Poland: 6:30 a.m./7:30 p.m.
o Sunday, July 30
 USA vs. Japan: 10 p.m. (Saturday)/11 a.m.
o Monday, July 30
 USA vs. Czech Republics: 6:30 a.m./7:30 p.m.
• Quarterfinals
o Wednesday, August 2
 12 a.m./3 p.m. & 6:30 a.m./7:30 p.m.
• Semifinals
o Friday, August 4
 12 a.m./3 p.m. & 6:30 a.m./7:30 p.m.
• Finals
o Sunday, August 6
 8:30 a.m./9:30 p.m.