Indiana University’s men’s basketball program is set to travel to Peru in July 2025, marking a rare international preseason venture that will combine team bonding, intensive practices and a series of exhibition games.
Head coach Darian DeVries says the tour is designed to give the squad extra gym time and valuable competitive minutes as they prepare for the upcoming season, while also strengthening chemistry among the players.
A Strategic Test on the International Stage
The trip will be missing two of the team’s international recruits, Clemens Sokolov and Samet Yigitoglu, who are currently unable to obtain visas, opening the door for other roster members to step into larger roles.
The non‑conference slate already features matchups against traditional powerhouses such as Syracuse and Kentucky, as well as contests with Eastern Illinois, Bellarmine and Bowling Green, and DeVries hinted that additional high‑profile opponents may be added before the Peru leg.
Discussing the broader landscape of college athletics, DeVries noted the growing influence of name, image and likeness deals on multi‑team events and the shift toward neutral‑site games, factors that complicate scheduling in today’s environment.
Ultimately, the Peru excursion represents a strategic experiment for the Hoosiers, one that could reshape how the program approaches overseas tours and non‑conference planning in the years ahead.