A few thoughts from sophomore guard Ricky Taylor from Brownsville, Tenn., on the Mocs current tour of Toronto, Canada:

Canada!  What a blessing it is to be in another country.  I took a French class in high school and I thought I could read the Canadian signs with French in them.  Well, I didn't have a clue what they said.  I just enjoyed the bus ride everywhere we went.

Now let's talk basketball.  In our first game against the University of Toronto, we didn't play too well in the first half, but we bounced back in the second half.  Even though we lost the game, I know that we got better.  That's the reason why we came up here: to learn, correct mistakes and get BETTER.

I do credit Toronto's team - a great team.  I feel as if when our team buys in to what the coaches are telling us, then we will be just fine.  Just a matter of fact, we are going to be a very special team.  We are bonding quite well with one another.  We are learning, learning, learning.  When we mix everything together fans, Chattanooga basketball will be something to watch. 

Pardon the interruption, but I have to share the funniest thing that has happened so far.

Well, we are going to another country which REQUIRES a passport.  What if you lose it?  I don't think you'll be able to enter another country without one right?  Well you can't even get on the flight there without it.

My teammate Josh Odem lost his.  I was scared for him!!!  It was after we had gotten to Dallas.  We are in Dallas/Fort Worth and they are going to have to send him back home.  Was this a disappointment or what???  Fortunately with the hard work of our coaches and staff, we found his passport.  We all took a deep breath.

It got lost when the flight attendant moved his carry-on bag to the overhead compartment.  Somehow it fell out and was left behind.  Luckily, the plane was still at the gate to find it.

Be blessed!