DENVER – On the basketball court, MSU Denver senior Druce Asah could beat most opponents in a classic game of around-the-world. But as for actual travels around the world, a trip to Cameroon at three years old is his only experience.

That will change Monday, when the MSU Denver men's basketball squad heads to Costa Rica for a week of hoops and cultural immersion.

"I don't really remember (the trip to Cameroon), so this is like my first time (abroad)," Asah said Friday after MSU Denver's last pre-trip practice.

For fellow senior Kendall McIntosh, it'll be the first trip outside the American border in quite a while.

"I went to the Bahamas when I was way younger," said McIntosh. "It'll be a new experience (in Costa Rica) because I'm older, first and foremost. Just with all my guys, the whole team, it's going to be a blast with them."

For a team with nine returning players and four newcomers, a week abroad before school starts presents incredible opportunities for team bonding on and off the court within the context of a new culture.

"Now that we've got everybody returning back and added a couple new pieces, it'll be good to get those new guys integrated with us," McIntosh said. "First and foremost, let's get there and get these dubs."

Asah echoed those sentiments.

"We've got a lot of guys coming back and we've got new additions, so I'm just excited to see how we compete," he said.

After landing in the nation's capital, San José, on Monday, the Roadrunners will face off against the Costa Rica All-Stars on Tuesday following a guided tour of the capital and an afternoon of community service at a local school.

Wednesday will feature a trip to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens followed by a rematch with the Costa Rica All-Stars.

After some solid time on the court, the Roadrunners will get the full Costa Rica experience including whitewater rafting in the Rio Sarapiqui and floating above the jungle on the country's famous zip lines. More importantly, the team will also have an opportunity to serve a rural beach community in Tamarindo before heading back home.

As for the newcomers, it's an invaluable opportunity to get acquainted with their new teammates.

"There's no better way to bond than over an experience none of them have done before," head coach Michael Bahl said. "I think it's important for those new guys in that transition for sure."

Beyond the valuable experience on the court with international opponents, Bahl is most excited for one of Costa Rica's specialties.

"I heard the zip line is supposed to be pretty amazing," he said.

McIntosh, on the other hand, has a fear of heights he plans to conquer at a hundred feet above the jungle floor.

"I don't really like heights that much," he said. "I actually don't even like flying. But those aren't fears that I don't want to take on."

He isn't alone.

"I guarantee half of them are (scared of heights)," Bahl said. "It'll be good. They'll overcome those fears. There will be memories.

"(Assistant coach John Bynum) and I talk about it, we don't remember the games very much," Bahl continued. "I remember the experiences. We talk more about that stuff than we do the games, the wins and losses. It's going to be pretty cool for those guys."

Connecting with a brand new culture through the lens of basketball is an experience the team is sure to never forget.

Follow @MSUDenverMBB on Twitter for student-athlete takeovers that will provide a detailed look into the Roadrunners' trip to Costa Rica.