The two teams are scheduled to face off Aug. 17 in a 20-minute exhibition game in appreciation of the United States Armed Forces and their families stationed at the Aviano Air Force Base near Venice, the Mountaineers announced today.
According to Stars and Stripes, each team will be taking on military teams for 10 minutes each before the main scrimmage. The college players will also perform in a dunk show, and a basketball clinic for children will be held on the base.
What an exhibition it'll be for the troops who'll get to see two NCAA tournament teams from last season square off , with some of them getting the opportunity to test their skills against the players.
From The News-Gazette:
The idea came about when Bruce Weber, Bob Huggins and Nels Hawkinson, the executive director of Basketball Travelers, brainstormed on how to incorporate American troops on their respective basketball tours. It turned out that UI and WVU would be in the same city on the same day. Weber and Huggins were all about the opportunity. Weber said it will expose his players to life on a military base and see what our troops experience on a daily basis.
West Virginia will get to show off its newcomers and fast-paced style of play while Illinois will get a head start as well. It's a win-win for all involved.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the Aviano Air Base and thank the great men and women who are serving there," Weber said in a statement. "Our players will get a firsthand look at the hard work and dedicated service they are providing for our freedom. We can never thank them enough for what they are doing for us, but our visit and the youth clinic and scrimmages should provide a fun and rewarding experience for everyone. We are pleased that the NCAA has approved the request for our team to partner with West Virginia while overseas for this special event, which I believe has never been done before."
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