The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team will bid "arrivederci" to central Illinois next week and will play three exhibition games against club teams in Italy from August 8 to 17.

The Titans will compete against Selezione Toscana on August 11, Selezione Emilia Romagna on August 13 and Varese All-Stars on August 15.

In addition to head coach Ron Rose, the players making the journey are seniors Sean Johnson, Travis Rosenkranz, Doug Sexauer, Edmond O'Callaghan and Duncan Lawson; juniors Ryan Connolly, Eliud Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmer, Dan Schouten, John Koschnitzky and Stephen Rudnicki; and sophomores Brad Ghere, Tyler Bontemps and Luke Radliff.

Illinois Wesleyan is allowed additional practice sessions in preparation for the Italy trip that do not count against their preseason practice dates.

In addition to the basketball games, the team will be led on guided tours of Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Como and Milan.

This is the second Titan men's basketball team to participate International travel – the 2005-06 team went to Costa Rica in August 2005.

Illinois Wesleyan football teams have traveled to meet European teams on four occasions (Germany, Italy, France and Austria) and the Titan women's soccer program has competed twice in Europe.