CORVALLIS, Ore. - After spending the past nine days in Europe, the Oregon State men's basketball team returned to Corvallis late Tuesday night and took the time to reflect on the highlights of the trip, including their favorite meal, what made them laugh the loudest and the gift they bought for that special someone.
The Beavers enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience with stops in Paris, Barcelona and Madrid that included sightseeing, beaches, gourmet meals and basketball games. There were lots of laughs, plenty of photos taken and a 4-0 record in the games that made the journey together a memorable one that will never be forgotten.
In their own words, the coaching staff and players answer the following questions about the trip:
What was the best gift you bought and who did you buy it for? Craig Robinson: One of those lighted helicopter things you shoot into the sky and it falls down for Austin Doug Stewart: A series of gifts for my wife at the Madrid flea market Nate Pomeday: I bought my daughter an FC Barcelona small soccer ball David Grace: I bought my wife a purse and some jewelry and a scarf Challe Barton: A Messi jersey for my close friend back home in Sweden Angus Brandt: A Sergio Ramos jersey for a very, very good deal for my girlfriend Megan Joe Burton: In Barcelona I bought an "I love MILF" shirt for myself Devon Collier: A necklace for my daughter Daniel Gomis: I bought the "I love Paris" shirt and I bought a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey for my friend who plays on the soccer team at OSU Daniel Jones: A hand painted bull sculpture for my dad C.J. Mitchell: I bought an "I love Barcelona" shirt for my mom Eric Moreland: I bought a Paris bag for a friend Langston Morris-Walker: Some shot glasses for my mom Michael Moyer: Some jewelry for a female Roberto Nelson: A necklace for my mom Jullian Powers: I bought postcards for all of my great grandmas and aunts Jarmal Reid: Some headphones for me Victor Robbins: The paintings I bought in Paris for my mom Ahmad Starks: Miniature Eiffel Tower for my mom
What moment made you laugh the loudest? Craig Robinson: Joe flopping like the European players and Ahmad breaking down the guy and he fell and the whole gym started laughing and he made the shot Doug Stewart: Jones on stage at the flamenco Nate Pomeday: Coach Grace's raccoon story (if you don't know it, you should ask him) David Grace: When Jones was dancing Challe Barton: When nobody clapped their hands for Jullian when he got his certificate Angus Brandt: When Jonsey got subbed in at the end of the game and called a play for himself Joe Burton: At the dancing place one of the guys just broke out and yelled really loud Devon Collier: When I said look at this smack guy and don't laugh Daniel Gomis: When Jones got on stage and the way he was smiling when he was dancing Daniel Jones: Watching Eric and Devon and Jullian trying to order ice cream in Paris C.J. Mitchell: When Jones went up and danced Eric Moreland: When they gave Jullian his certificate and nobody clapped Langston Morris-Walker: When Jones danced Michael Moyer: When the door closed on Coach Rob and his shoe fell off and he had to walk with one shoe Roberto Nelson: When we didn't say Jullian's name when they were giving out awards Jullian Powers: Just being with everyone in the hotel and everyone grouping up in one room and talking about each other Jarmal Reid: When Jullian forgot to get his jersey washed Victor Robbins: The moment when Daniel went on stage and danced Ahmad Starks: When we received the certificates for the trip and everyone clapped for everyone except for Jullian
What surprised you the most about the basketball games in Europe? Craig Robinson: How hard it is to adapt to the different rules Doug Stewart: I was impressed with the level of teamwork from our opponents and how they shared the ball Nate Pomeday: The officiating David Grace: The refereeing Challe Barton: There were a lot more calls than I'm used to Angus Brandt: Nothing really surprised me about the teams, because their style of play was how I expected it to be Joe Burton: They play soft Devon Collier: Fouls Daniel Gomis: The flopping Daniel Jones: The style of play and how different it really is to how we play in America C.J. Mitchell: They have a finesse game Eric Moreland: The calls Langston Morris-Walker: Just how different the games are between American basketball and European basketball Michael Moyer: The refs, I'm still mad about the travel Roberto Nelson: The foul calling and the game play Jullian Powers: The different style of play Jarmal Reid: The style of play Victor Robbins: The officiating Ahmad Starks: The foul calls
What was your highlight of the trip? Craig Robinson: Seven guys napping in one room Doug Stewart: Watching how well our guys got along and interacted Nate Pomeday: The soccer match and hanging with Daniel Gomis in Houston David Grace: The experience the team, support staff and donors had and me being able to be a part of it Challe Barton: The Barcelona beaches Angus Brandt: The bicycle tour in Paris Joe Burton: When coach and the guy almost got in a tussle at the game Devon Collier: The Dali Museum Daniel Gomis: When Eric started dancing when Barcelona scored because he was the one who didn't want to go Daniel Jones: I liked going to the flamenco dancing and seeing how that works C.J. Mitchell: The soccer game Eric Moreland: Going to the beach Langston Morris-Walker: Seeing people form lifetime relationships Michael Moyer: Hanging out with the team in a different country Roberto Nelson: The Barcelona game Jullian Powers: Bonding with everyone Jarmal Reid: Getting a chance to go to the beach Victor Robbins: The soccer game Ahmad Starks: The soccer game in Barcelona
Check out the following YouTube link to watch Coach Robinson recap the four-game, 11-day trip to Europe during a press conference with the local media after the Beavers returned to Corvallis:
Basketball Season Tickets
Fans now have the opportunity to secure men's and/or women's basketball season tickets for the 2012-13 season. A $50 deposit guarantees the best available seats after renewing ticket holders have been assigned, while saving significantly on single-game ticket orders and giving priority to purchase postseason tickets. New season ticket orders will be assigned in order of deposit date in early October.
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