IU Confirms August Exhibition Trip to Puerto Rico
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After weeks of speculation and growing anticipation among fans and analysts, Indiana University officially confirmed Monday that the Hoosiers men’s basketball team will travel to Puerto Rico this August for a series of international exhibition games. The announcement marks a pivotal step in head coach Mike Woodson’s strategy to elevate the program’s competitiveness heading into the 2025-26 season.
The trip, set for August 10–17, will see the Hoosiers participate in three exhibition games against professional and national-level competition in San Juan and Bayamón. IU Athletics confirmed matchups with a Puerto Rican Select Team, a top-tier Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) squad, and the Dominican Republic’s U22 National Team. These games will provide IU’s roster with vital offseason competition, team bonding, and cultural enrichment.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to take our program overseas,” Woodson said in a statement. “Puerto Rico offers not only strong basketball competition but a unique chance for our players to grow together, both on and off the court. This trip will be an invaluable part of our preseason development.”
The decision comes after months of internal planning and coordination with both IU Athletics and Puerto Rican basketball authorities. The NCAA permits college teams to take foreign tours once every four years, and IU is seizing the opportunity to forge ahead with a revamped roster. With a blend of experienced returners, a heralded freshman class, and key transfers, the Hoosiers hope the trip will fast-track their cohesion before official practices begin in October.
“This is about building chemistry and getting a head start on the season,” said associate head coach Yasir Rosemond. “Facing international styles and adjusting to different game tempos will challenge our guys in new ways. We want them uncomfortable now, so they’re prepared later.”
The trip will also include community service activities, cultural excursions, and team-building exercises. Players will visit historic Old San Juan, tour El Yunque National Forest, and engage with local youth basketball clinics—part of a broader initiative to combine athletics with education and outreach.
Fans back in Indiana will not be left in the dark. IU Athletics announced that all three games will be streamed live via the Big Ten Network+ platform, and a behind-the-scenes documentary of the trip is currently in production, slated for release in September.
“This is more than basketball,” said athletic director Scott Dolson. “It’s about broadening horizons, testing ourselves against international opponents, and representing Indiana on a global stage.”
The trip arrives at a critical time. IU is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2024–25 campaign, and the August tour may offer the momentum and clarity needed to chart a new direction.
In a summer typically quiet for college hoops, Indiana’s Puerto Rican venture stands out as both a strategic gamble and a bold statement. For the Hoosiers, the island isn’t just a getaway—it’s a proving ground.
