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17 W hile the University of Iowa men's basketball team is in the final stretch of its 2016-17 season, staff and administration are making plans for a foreign trip in August. e NCAA allows college basketball programs to take a foreign trip every four years. In 2013, Iowa traveled to England and France. is summer the Hawkeyes will travel to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Some of the highlights of the trip will include visits to Heidelberg Castle, Ramstein Air Force Base, Trummelbach Waterfalls, Jungfrau Mountain Hike, Lake Como Boat Excursion, Romeo & Juliet's Courtyard, St. Mark's Basilicas, and the Grand Canal. "Any time we have a foreign player on our team, we will go back to his home," said Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery. "We took Gabriel Olaseni back to London, where he was able to play in front of his family and friends in 2013, and this year we are going to take Dom Uhl back home to Germany." e Hawkeyes are slated to visit Frankfurt and Heidelberg during the first leg of their journey, playing one exhibition game in Germany. Uhl is grateful for the opportunity to play in front of family and friends. "I want to thank coach McCaffery for scheduling part of our overseas trip to Germany," said Uhl, a native of Frankfurt. "Being able to go back home with my teammates and friends will be memorable." Iowa will then head to the Swiss Alps to play a second game and spend time in Lucerne, Switzerland. McCaffery believes these trips are more about spending time with teammates and experiencing different cultures than hanging out in the gym. "is will be an unbelievable trip for our guys, one they will remember for the rest of their lives," McCaffery said. "From a cultural, educational, athletic, and social opportunity, it is as good as it gets. To be able to watch how much fun they have and experience different parts of the world is exciting." Iowa will conclude its trip in Italy in Venice and Lake Como — a place McCaffery is eager to make a return visit. "Venice is amazing and Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been," said McCaffery. "Heidelberg is a neat place. We are excited." In addition to being able to travel overseas, the NCAA grants the team 10 bonus practices days that the coaching staff can spend with the team prior to departing. "Having the extra practices will be beneficial since we have a young team and we will have Jack Nunge and Luka Garza joining the program," said sophomore Nicholas Baer. "e more practices will help us come together." Baer says the Hawkeyes are excited for what this trip has to offer, but the know there is still work to be done this season. "We have a game le in the regular season, plus postseason play, and we are excited about making a final push to make a postseason tournament," said Baer. "Our only focus right now is finishing this season strong." MARCH SCHEDULE March 2 at Wisconsin March 5 Penn State March 8-12 at Big Ten Tournament