Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Purdue basketball begins play in Italy

Rome is the first stop on the Purdue men’s basketball team’s tour of Italy.

The Boilermakers are taking on an All-Star team from Italy, Thursday, in the first of four games scheduled as part of the ten-day trip.

Senior D.J Byrd says the biggest challenge is going to be overcoming fatigue.

“It's going to be tough, it's going to be hot there," he said.  "Just being able to focus on the game and play through being tired, that is the biggest thing for us because we are young and don't have a lot of experience.  So, if we can play hard and outwork the other team, that'll be the biggest thing for us.”

Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time .

Prior to the game, the Boilermakers are scheduled to tour the Vatican.

Purdue will play its second game Sunday against a team from Lithuania.