College basketball teams are allowed to travel abroad once every four years during the summer, which allows the programs to receive extra practice time, test themselves against international competition and study abroad.
Several major programs will take advantage of that opportunity this summer, including two of the top five teams in SN's preseason Top 25 rankings.
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Schools that have announced foreign trips for this summer, or had their trips reported by the media:
Arizona State
Locations: Rome; Barcelona
Dates: July 31-Aug. 8
Quote: Coach Bobby Hurley: "It gives our younger players a chance to get more comfortable and familiar with how we conduct our practices and the drills, and gives me a head start on figuring out how we're going to play and give me a taste of what we're going to look like."
Two months from today be chillin' in Rome @kodijustice44 @hollywood_XI @1Remy_Martin1 (someone let Tra know since he doesn't have twitter) pic.twitter.com/AhV5m2WFb7
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) June 1, 2017
Butler
Location: Spain
Dates: Aug. 4-10
Dawgs still in prep mode for Spain. Getting better each day. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/G2tfI0fpjU
— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) July 12, 2017
College of Charleston
Location: Ireland
Dates: Aug. 6-15
College of Charleston will go to Ireland on a foreign tour from Aug. 6-15.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) May 25, 2017
Duke
Location: Dominican Republic
Dates: Aug. 17-24
Quote: Coach Mike Krzyzewski: “The Dominican Republic is a good team, and we're going to see who our guys are during these practices and games. We lost seven of our top eight scorers from last season; this is almost an entirely new team. No matter how much you work out or practice, you really don't know about a team until you see it in competition. This will be an unbelievable bonding experience for our group and we'll also get to see how they play together before we start practice at the end of September.”
Kansas
Location: Italy
Dates: July 31-Aug. 8
Duke taking foreign trip to Dominican Republic. Kansas will go to Italy from July 31-Aug. 8. Both will benefit from extra practices/games.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) May 25, 2017
Oklahoma
Locations: New Zealand; Australia
Dates: August 3-14
Quote: Coach Lon Kruger: “For our program, this foreign tour couldn't come at a better time. The opportunity for our young team to travel abroad is monumental in developing our group for the upcoming season while allowing us to grow together by traveling to another part of the world. From the sightseeing, the comradery and the talented competition we'll face, this promises to be an excellent and memorable 12 days for our players, staff and entire program."
.@mattyfreeman5 & @LonKruger share their thoughts on the upcoming foreign tour to Australia & New Zealand. #Commit pic.twitter.com/jY4kTXtG12
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) July 10, 2017
Rhode Island
Locations: London; Paris
Dates: Aug. 7-16
Rhode Island will take a foreign trip to London and Paris from Aug. 7-16. Preseason Top 25'ish team.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) May 25, 2017
TCU
Location: Australia
Dates: Aug. 5-16
Quote: Coach Jamie Dixon: “This trip will be a great cultural experience, a great team experience and a great basketball experience that our guys will remember for the rest of their lives. It’s such a unique experience that occurs once every four years and it will provide great momentum towards the improvement of our program.”
Utah
Locations: Barcelona; Paris
Dates: Aug. 5-15
Utah will head to Barcelona and Paris on preseason foreign tour from Aug. 5-15.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) May 25, 2017
Vanderbilt
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands
Dates: Aug. 12-18
Wisconsin
Locations: New Zealand; Australia
Dates: Aug. 12-24
Quote: Coach Greg Gard: "With such an influx of newcomers on the roster this year, this is really an ideal time for a trip like this. The experience we'll gain is invaluable. The extra practices and travel experiences can expedite team bonding and chemistry and then obviously the games will give our guys a great chance to get their feet wet."