Until this week, teams were allowed to take exempt foreign tours once every four years. Now, they may participate in a foreign tour every year.
This is a significant change and should be consistently utilized.
The major benefit is that if you're going on a foreign tour, you are allowed 10 days of practice pre-tour (and to a lesser extent, get to play games vs. outside competition on the tour - up to 10 games but teams generally play a couple/few). Outside of the foreign tour, full practices are not allowed during the summer vacation period.
Certainly getting to practice and implement plans/systems in the summer is a benefit for any team... but especially in this day of heavy roster turnover for most teams every season, it becomes even more beneficial.
Each year doesn't need to be a trip to paradise or a European vacation with crazy sight-seeing, non-basketball activities and high costs. Foreign can mean Canada or Mexico, and even Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. I'd be on the phone today with a couple of Canadian connections trying to get an agreement done on foreign exhibition games.
For me, it's all about the practice (and potentially a little kicker/draw to a recruit -- 'hey, we'll do a tour to your country or some place you like!').
At a minimum, do a no frills quick trip to Canada to play a couple of games, and enjoy the big benefit of 10 summer practices that would have not otherwise been allowed.
Can also help with European recruiting as well.
Quote from: The Sultan on April 16, 2026, 07:48:48 AMCan also help with European recruiting as well.
It's a good point. When I said, "For me, it's all about the practice (and potentially a little kicker/draw to a recruit -- 'hey, we'll do a tour to your country or some place you like!')." I was thinking about it from a current recruit / draw him in perspective... but, if there are potential targets a year or two away (or longer), heading to their home to see them and/or their people, or just generally connecting with folks (including agents, ugh) in certain areas on a more personal level could prove beneficial as well.
Must utilize!
Deutschland, yawohl?
I see where Illinois is going to build a permanent practice facility in Croatia.
Definitely would be a huge boon to recruiting in Europe and such but right now get on the horn with Junior Cadougan or Koby Mcewen or Omax or even Chartouney and see if they can hook us up with some great teams to play against this summer.
Quote from: Jay Bee on April 16, 2026, 07:40:47 AMUntil this week, teams were allowed to take exempt foreign tours once every four years. Now, they may participate in a foreign tour every year.
This is a significant change and should be consistently utilized.
The major benefit is that if you're going on a foreign tour, you are allowed 10 days of practice pre-tour (and to a lesser extent, get to play games vs. outside competition on the tour - up to 10 games but teams generally play a couple/few). Outside of the foreign tour, full practices are not allowed during the summer vacation period.
Certainly getting to practice and implement plans/systems in the summer is a benefit for any team... but especially in this day of heavy roster turnover for most teams every season, it becomes even more beneficial.
Each year doesn't need to be a trip to paradise or a European vacation with crazy sight-seeing, non-basketball activities and high costs. Foreign can mean Canada or Mexico, and even Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. I'd be on the phone today with a couple of Canadian connections trying to get an agreement done on foreign exhibition games.
For me, it's all about the practice (and potentially a little kicker/draw to a recruit -- 'hey, we'll do a tour to your country or some place you like!').
At a minimum, do a no frills quick trip to Canada to play a couple of games, and enjoy the big benefit of 10 summer practices that would have not otherwise been allowed.
The problem with that is the cost of doing it every year to places like Europe or Australia. Putting that amount towards NIL is going to be more beneficial, especially since teams can practice all summer anyway (yes, I know they get 10 practices of up to 4 hours a day with the 20 hour a week limit). Programs have to fundraise for these trips, likely from the same people they're fundraising for player compensation.
I expect most programs to utilize Canada, the Caribbean islands, or Mexico for these trips.
Quote from: The Sultan on April 16, 2026, 07:48:48 AMCan also help with European recruiting as well.
Yes...every college team can go and get help with European recruiting.
New Zealand. Australia.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on April 16, 2026, 09:41:56 AMThe problem with that is the cost of doing it every year to places like Europe or Australia. Putting that amount towards NIL is going to be more beneficial, especially since teams can practice all summer anyway (yes, I know they get 10 practices of up to 4 hours a day with the 20 hour a week limit). Programs have to fundraise for these trips, likely from the same people they're fundraising for player compensation.
I expect most programs to utilize Canada, the Caribbean islands, or Mexico for these trips.
Exactly why I said call Canada; hit PR. Do it on the cheap. The primary purpose can simply be to get practice most years.
I don't even remember which program it was, but can we get in on whichever program got scammed out of a foreign trip in the last couple years? Put a "down payment" down with some "travel agency," get your practice days, and "oops, that company doesn't exist and we can't make the trip."
Quote from: wadesworld on April 16, 2026, 10:47:26 AMI don't even remember which program it was, but can we get in on whichever program got scammed out of a foreign trip in the last couple years? Put a "down payment" down with some "travel agency," get your practice days, and "oops, that company doesn't exist and we can't make the trip."
Tell me more. I need to make some money quickly.
Quote from: wadesworld on April 16, 2026, 10:47:26 AMI don't even remember which program it was, but can we get in on whichever program got scammed out of a foreign trip in the last couple years? Put a "down payment" down with some "travel agency," get your practice days, and "oops, that company doesn't exist and we can't make the trip."
George Mason
btw, another change: you can play up to 3 (was 2) scrimmages or exhibitions and have em not count against your max games played each year.
I kinda hope MU stays with 2 "closed" scrimmages but adds a public exhibition (but no hot dogs).
Quote from: Jay Bee on April 16, 2026, 10:45:17 AMExactly why I said call Canada; hit PR. Do it on the cheap. The primary purpose can simply be to get practice most years.
nm
Quote from: Jay Bee on April 16, 2026, 07:40:47 AMUntil this week, teams were allowed to take exempt foreign tours once every four years. Now, they may participate in a foreign tour every year.
This is a significant change and should be consistently utilized.
The major benefit is that if you're going on a foreign tour, you are allowed 10 days of practice pre-tour (and to a lesser extent, get to play games vs. outside competition on the tour - up to 10 games but teams generally play a couple/few). Outside of the foreign tour, full practices are not allowed during the summer vacation period.
Certainly getting to practice and implement plans/systems in the summer is a benefit for any team... but especially in this day of heavy roster turnover for most teams every season, it becomes even more beneficial.
Each year doesn't need to be a trip to paradise or a European vacation with crazy sight-seeing, non-basketball activities and high costs. Foreign can mean Canada or Mexico, and even Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. I'd be on the phone today with a couple of Canadian connections trying to get an agreement done on foreign exhibition games.
For me, it's all about the practice (and potentially a little kicker/draw to a recruit -- 'hey, we'll do a tour to your country or some place you like!').
At a minimum, do a no frills quick trip to Canada to play a couple of games, and enjoy the big benefit of 10 summer practices that would have not otherwise been allowed.
Kudos to the program for doing a 'foreign tour' to Canada. I think it's a no-brainer and criminal not to, but would expect there will be some knucklehead programs out there who don't take advantage of this massive opportunity.
Now, my next ax is that they broadcast the games. We can have Mike B announce again, or I'll do it for a small fee.
Move should have been to go to Australia to tout Ben's pro career, and Nash's role on the team.
Look at Canada's Olympics roster and it's pretty impressive. MU could have a nice avenue for getting good talent from up north, and playing Montreal or Toronto during the summer is pretty doable. At the very least, Canadian players are less likely to be dissuaded by Milwaukee's atrocious weather than prospects out of Texas or Florida.
I do think it would be cool to tap into the German market. Get over there to play some games and get some practice. And if there are potential recruits in the stands, promise them NIL money and the country's best schnitzel!
Quote from: SchnitzelBoy on Today at 10:08:22 AMLook at Canada's Olympics roster and it's pretty impressive. MU could have a nice avenue for getting good talent from up north, and playing Montreal or Toronto during the summer is pretty doable. At the very least, Canadian players are less likely to be dissuaded by Milwaukee's atrocious weather than prospects out of Texas or Florida.
I do think it would be cool to tap into the German market. Get over there to play some games and get some practice. And if there are potential recruits in the stands, promise them NIL money and the country's best schnitzel!
A lot schools will (and have in the past) do the Canada route as it's less expensive. Don't see any recruiting advantages from a trip.
Yeah, this is more about additional practices and games with the newcomers than it is about recruiting. It's not like they are going to be inviting prospects to these games.
Quote from: The Sultan on Today at 10:31:54 AMYeah, this is more about additional practices and games with the newcomers than it is about recruiting. It's not like they are going to be inviting prospects to these games.
Probably won't even let prospects stream them.