NCAA Basketball Teams That Will Benefit Most from Trips Abroad in Summer 2015

In the terrific 30 for 30 ESPN documentary about Michigan's "Fab Five," there's a wonderful anecdote about how the young players weren't exactly too eager for a foreign trip.

But Steve Fisher (now at San Diego State) dragged the crew off to Italy. Memories were made, and then-Wolverines assistant coach Brian Dutcher speculated the players enjoyed the trip more than they would have admitted at the time.

Now, heading to Europe—or somewhere outside America—is a rite of passage, even a recruiting tool, for college basketball teams. They are allowed one trip every four years.

About 60 programs will head out of the country ("overseas" isn't totally accurate, because Canada's on the list), and these are pretty intriguing summers for those schools.

USA Today's Nicole Auerbach wrote in the middle of last season's NCAA tournament about how valuable these trips can be, for bonding and of course for getting better collectively. The opportunity means 10 additional practice days, as well.

Coaches choose to take their teams all over the place. Last year, Kentucky went to the Bahamas (there are worse places to play basketball), though Europe seems to be the bread-and-butter location, with good touring opportunities and ample competition.

This year's group includes a variety of similar stories. Some teams need to get freshmen acclimated. There are some transfers who could use the same chance. Coaching and momentum can come into play, too.

But there are 10 that stand out for the opportunities that will be presented, with open minds and ample passports.

Louisville

Nick Lisi/Associated Press

Bound for: Puerto Rico

When: Mid-August

A lot of teams are in Louisville's boat: losing a few studs, bringing in some freshmen.

What maybe separates the Cardinals' situation from others is trying to replace Montrezl Harrell. 

Harrell, who left a year of college eligibility on the table, was a high-motor (35-minute average per night) leader who was, in essence, a quarterback on the floor—not exactly common for a non-point guard (Harrell comes in at 6'8'', 240).

Rick Pitino brings in a couple of fifth-year transfers (Trey Lewis of Cleveland State and former Drexel standout Damion Lee). But it will be replacing Harrell on the sidelines, in the locker room and in the course of a game—he's a film hawk, ask anyone—that will be hardest to duplicate.

Some time in Puerto Rico will be critical to garner new leadership.

Cal

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Bound for: Australia

When: Mid-August

Coach Cuonzo Martin may not sweat it as much on foreign soil. When the Bears return, they'll be one of the focal points of the Pac-12, and arguably even the national basketball landscape.

Has that been said since Jason Kidd was around?

Martin announced in May his team will play four professional teams in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

And Australia's a pretty nice to be, in general, but it could be an even bigger boon considering the excitement in the Cal program these days—highlighted by top-shelf freshmen Ivan Rabb and Jaylen Brown—because Australia is producing so much talent to the game right now.

Andrew Bogut was a starter for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors (that is, until Andre Iguodala took over) and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Matthew Dellavedova was a sensation in the NBA Finals (that is, until Stephen Curry took over).

All kidding aside, though, it's a sweet time for the Bears to showcase themselves, considering all of the perks of Berkeley.

Stony Brook

Tim Roske/Associated Press

Bound for: Germany and Italy

When: Mid-August

Stony Brook is looking for a breakthrough.

Could it start in two European countries?

That's the hope, as coach Steve Pikiell tries to get a program over the hump and into the NCAA tournament.

The Seawolves have been to the CBI the past two years, and the NIT the previous two before that.

Pikiell is 93-41 during that span, 53-11 in America East games, but hasn't reached the crown jewel of the postseason. Last year it was because of a miraculous three-pointer by Peter Hooley, as UAlbany rallied big on its home floor.

Was that a soul crusher for Jameel Warney, one of the more unheralded big men in the country—especially on rebounding— or the start of a big ramp-up for his senior year?

A new point guard is in the cards, as Lucas Woodhouse takes over, along with two freshmen and Ahmad Walker from the JUCO ranks.

Also, Carson Puriefoy III—an all-league guard—underwent groin surgery in March.

How does one say "ouch" in German or Italian?

Iowa State

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Bound for: Spain

When: Mid-August

A certain group of Cyclones didn't even have to wade through the information available online at ISU's study abroad program.

Now, who knows if these guys wind up learning any Spanish, but they best be learning about their new coach.

And vice versa, of course.

ISU will be a very intriguing trip because its new head coach, Steve Prohm, who was quite successful at Murray State (104-29 in four years, one NCAA bid) but has a whole new challenge in Ames.

The beauty, and the potential trouble, is that he steps into an incredible position. Fred "The Mayor" Hoiberg left the town in pretty good shape before heading off to the NBA.

Georges Niang and Monte Morris are two of the top 20 players in the country, fan interest is at virtually an all-time high (though it doesn't seem like predecessor Larry Eustachy's NCAA tournament success is getting nearly the credit it's due nationally) and Prohm is left in a position—right or wrong—where it looks like he just has to not screw it up, at least this year.

Prohm just filled out his new coaching staff on June 23, keeping T.J. Otzelberger on staff—of course to help the transition and acclimate himself to the Midwest—and bringing in some faces he's familiar with.

Prohm should have some cachet with the new team. After all, he coached Cameron Payne, who could become an NBA lottery pick very soon.

Kansas

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Bound for: South Korea

When: Early July

Nothing against South Korea, but the Jayhawks' selection here is all about the U-S-of-A.

That's about the only reason to nominate KU, which will represent the stars and stripes in the World University Games, the first time that's happened.

Certainly, KU is a worthy name to take to the 11-day, 24-team tournament. And Bill Self said he sees nothing but positives.

But it's not a perfect world, either. Sophomore point guard Devonte' Graham just got hurt.

Shooting guard Brannen Greene had offseason hip surgery. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Svi Mykhailiuk isn't eligible to play with the U.S.-based team.

Sure, it could be some nice development time for post players like Landen Lucas and Hunter Mickelson, but there are enough key parts missing where it seems to be a little more risk than reward.

It's probable that Self will spread around the minutes and not risk veterans Wayne Selden or Perry Ellis too much, nor Frank Mason, who logged a ton of minutes because of Graham's foot problems.

KU even added two visiting players (SMU's Nic Moore and Florida Gulf Coast combo guard Julian DeBose) to round out the roster. It's worth noting that hyped freshman Cheick Diallo is also ineligible for the WUG because he's from Mali.

It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the Jayhawks come out of this, representing the country and all.

Nebraska

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Bound for: Spain

When: Mid-August

You'll recall last season didn't play out so favorably for the Huskers toward the end of last season.

Something was lost in translation—sorry, couldn't resist with the foreign-travel theme—between third-year coach Tim Miles and his roster. They were headed steadily upward until last year's nine-game crash to end the season. In the midst of it, Miles locked his team out of its cushy locker room.

So what kind of trip will this be? Can Nebraska's guys enjoy the fruits of such an adventure, or will Miles and his staff be so haunted by last year that fun will be hard to come by?

It may depend on how much Miles considers this a fresh start after seven departures, most notably Terran Petteway, declaring for the NBA draft.

Nebraska returned all five starters last year, and that didn't work.

It could also be a fresh start for Andrew White III, formerly of Kansas. In two years, he had three games in which he hit three three-pointers. Any accuracy he could offer Nebraska would be a step up, considering it shot 31.7 percent from the arc last year.

Petteway made 19 of his 54 (35.2 percent), while his teammates missed 62 of 88 tries.

Murray State

Stephen Lance Dennee/Associated Press

Bound for: Canada

When: Early August

Apologies to Murray State, which won't actually have either of these (now former) Racers pictured above.

The clean slate begins as coach Steve Prohm went to Iowa State and star scorer Cameron Payne is in the NBA draft.

Payne was a stat stuffer last year who appears to be getting a lot more credit now than he did playing college ball in the state of Kentucky at a campus that wasn't in Lexington.

Murray State is slated to play three games in Montreal from August 1-6. The Racers also lost three seniors who ranked as solid contributors, per KenPom's calculations, complementing Payne's 20.2 points average in 35 games as a sophomore.

Brigham Young

John Locher/Associated Press

Bound for: Spain

When: Late August

If ever there was a perfect time for a foreign trip, it would be after a star player leaves or there's major roster turnover.

Count the Cougars in for two check marks.

They lost nine players and an assistant coach from last season. That includes star shooter Tyler Haws graduating, along with valuable role players in Skyler Halford and Anson Winder. BYU lost two more to transfer, three to two-year Mormon missions and then top assistant Mark Pope left to take the head coaching job at nearby Utah Valley University.

Don't write the Cougars an NIT ticket quite yet, but this European trip will be a prime time to figure out how to meld the new roster around triple-double sensation Kyle Collinsworth.

Chase Fischer needs to become a more consistent three-point shooter (last year was his first at BYU upon transferring from Wake Forest), but there are newcomers like Nick Emery (a basket-filler who did his church service directly after high school) and Jamal Aytes (injured last year as a true freshman) who will keep BYU competitive in the West Coast Conference.

BYU received solid news recently that forward Nate Austin has been granted a medical hardship waiver and will be eligible for a fifth season. He averaged 3.0 points and 5.6 rebounds, but at 6'11'' he provides the Cougars with the much-needed rim protection to stand a chance in the WCC (especially against Gonzaga).

Figure that of all the NCAA teams going on foreign trips, the Cougars could have the biggest crowds—many missionaries could attend the games.

But there's a lot of work to do around sightseeing.

LSU

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Bound for: Australia

When: Early August

Don't pay any attention to Johnny Jones' stop sign above.

Proceed directly to Australia.

Why not, if you're an LSU Tiger? Three members hail from "Down Under," most notably top recruit Ben Simmons. The coach who recruited him there, assistant David Patrick, hails from Melbourne, and 7-footer Darcy Malone is from Canberra.

Not many folks in the world will get more hoops attention than Simmons, a five-star recruit who will be a true focal point now that forwards Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin left somewhat surprisingly for the NBA.

The Gatorade National Player of the Year isn't being quite as hyped as much as that freshman class of a couple of years ago which featured Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, but he did average 28 points a game for a Florida powerhouse and could be leaned on to help make even bigger recruiting strides for LSU.

Fellow Florida prep standout Antonio Blakeney will also be involved, so the Tigers could have another powerful duo.

Could LSU become more of a (gasp!) basketball school? That's what Blakeney said he wants upon signing in Baton Rouge to go along with Simmons, who has a rep as an all-around selfless player.

"It's more a football school, but they're trying to make it a basketball school. When me and Ben get there, we have a chance to take it another level," he said, per Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.

Marquette

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Bound for: Italy

When: Mid-August

Coach Steve Wojciechowski stresses the "Win Every Day" mantra. He can really get it to stick heading into his second year, as the Golden Eagles will take five freshmen and two transfers.

Wally Ellenson, formerly of Minnesota, will be a highly watched guard.

Wojo's been waiting for this summer since last November, when he unveiled a high-level recruiting class that could be poised to return the Golden Eagles to the end of the Tom Crean era.

Nothing makes for a good summer like competition. Traci Carter will try to out-do incumbent Duane Wilson at point guard.

Wilson missed the end of last season with a fractured wrist.

So even in year two on the court for him, like Wojo, this goes down as a fresh start for the redshirt sophomore.