Indiana Basketball’s Trip to Peru Could Be the Most Important Part of the 2026 Offseason

When Indiana takes the floor in Lima, Peru this July, the games won’t count in the Big Ten standings. They won’t affect NCAA Tournament seeding, and there won’t be a conference championship hanging in the balance.

Yet this trip could prove to be one of the most important events of the entire 2026-27 season.

The Hoosiers have been selected to represent the United States at the 2026 FISU America Games, a prestigious international competition featuring collegiate teams from North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Indiana will serve as Team USA, giving first-year head coach Darian DeVries and his staff a unique opportunity to accelerate the development of a roster that bears little resemblance to the one fans watched a year ago.

The event runs from July 20 through August 1 in Lima, Peru, with Indiana expected to play six games against international competition. While the wins and losses won’t count, the experience absolutely will.

Why This Trip Matters More Than Most Fans Realize

International tours have long been viewed as one of the biggest advantages a college basketball program can receive. Under NCAA rules, teams participating in foreign tours are granted extra summer practices leading up to the trip.

For most established programs, those practices are helpful.

For Indiana, they are critical.

The Hoosiers enter the season with one of the most dramatically rebuilt rosters in college basketball. The transfer portal has completely reshaped the team, and only Trent Sisley returns as a scholarship player from last season’s roster.

Normally, coaches have limited opportunities to work with their teams during the summer. Because of the Peru trip, DeVries essentially gets an extended training camp months before the season begins.

That means extra time installing offensive sets, defensive principles, late-game situations, special teams concepts, and perhaps most importantly, building chemistry among players who have never played together.

The six games in Peru may be valuable, but the weeks of preparation beforehand could be even more important.

Team USA Comes With Restrictions

There is one unusual wrinkle to Indiana’s participation.

Because the Hoosiers are representing Team USA rather than simply traveling as Indiana University, tournament regulations require that only United States citizens can participate in official games.

As a result, two members of Indiana’s frontcourt will not be eligible to play.

Samet Yigitoglu

The 7-foot-2 transfer center from Turkey is expected to play a major role for the Hoosiers this season. Yigitoglu can travel with the team and participate in practices but will not be allowed to suit up during competition.

Clemens Sokolov

The talented 7-foot freshman from Germany faces the same restriction. Like Yigitoglu, he will benefit from the practices and team-building opportunities but will not be eligible to appear in games.

While losing two seven-footers from the active rotation is not ideal, DeVries has indicated that both players will still gain valuable experience through daily workouts and preparation.

The Players Who Could Gain the Most

The Peru trip will provide fans with their first real look at how Indiana’s new roster fits together.

Trent Sisley

No player may benefit more than Sisley. As the lone returning scholarship player, he instantly becomes one of the team’s leaders. The Peru games will give him a chance to establish himself as the emotional and on-court leader of a roster filled with newcomers.

Markus Burton

Many Indiana fans are eager to see Burton in action. One of the most dynamic guards on the roster, Burton is expected to have the ball in his hands frequently. Peru should provide an early glimpse into how DeVries plans to structure the offense around his skill set.

Aiden Sherrell

With Yigitoglu and Sokolov unavailable for games, Sherrell could become one of the biggest stars of the trip. The 6-foot-11 forward should see extensive minutes and opportunities to showcase his ability as both a scorer and rim protector. The added responsibility could accelerate his development before the season begins.

Jaeden Mustaf

One of the most highly anticipated newcomers, Mustaf brings size, athleticism, and versatility to the backcourt. The international games should offer fans an early indication of how quickly he can adapt to the college game.

Prince-Alexander Moody

The highly regarded freshman may receive more opportunities than he otherwise would during the regular season. The Peru trip could serve as a valuable launching pad for his development before Big Ten play begins.

Jordan Rayford

Rayford’s experience and versatility could make him one of the more important pieces during the tournament. His ability to defend multiple positions and contribute on both ends of the floor should be tested against a variety of international styles.

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Ben Winker

One of the most intriguing under-the-radar stories of the trip could be transfer walk-on Ben Winker.

The 6-foot-10, 230-pound center transferred to Indiana from Cal State Fullerton and was initially viewed as a developmental depth piece. However, the absence of Yigitoglu and Sokolov from game action dramatically changes the equation.

Suddenly, Indiana is missing two seven-footers in competition, creating valuable frontcourt minutes that have to be filled. That opens the door for Winker to play a much larger role than many fans expected when he arrived in Bloomington.

Winker appeared in eight games as a freshman at Cal State Fullerton and brings Division I experience, size, and physicality to the roster. While he may not be expected to score in bunches, his ability to rebound, defend the paint, set screens, and provide depth could make him an important contributor during the six-game tour.

The Peru trip could become a rare opportunity for a walk-on to earn meaningful playing time against quality competition. If Winker performs well, he could elevate his standing within the program and potentially position himself for a larger role throughout the season.

Don’t be surprised if Indiana fans leave Peru talking about Ben Winker as one of the unexpected winners of the summer.

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A Chance to Evaluate Rotations Early

One of the biggest benefits for DeVries will be determining which lineups work best.

Unlike summer workouts and closed practices, actual games reveal strengths and weaknesses quickly. Coaches learn who performs under pressure, who communicates defensively, and which combinations of players complement one another.

By the end of the six-game slate, Indiana’s coaching staff should have a much better understanding of potential starting lineups, bench rotations, and late-game combinations.

That information could save valuable time when the regular season arrives.

Who Will Indiana Play?

The official bracket and game schedule have not yet been finalized by FISU America.

However, the tournament is expected to feature university-level teams and national representatives from across the Americas. Countries that traditionally participate include Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.

The variety of competition could be one of the event’s biggest advantages. International basketball often features different offensive philosophies, greater emphasis on ball movement, and a more physical style of play than many American teams encounter.

That diversity of competition should help expose weaknesses while accelerating player development.

Can Fans Watch?

The answer appears to be yes.

Although the games are not expected to be televised by traditional American networks such as BTN, Fox Sports, or Peacock, tournament organizers are expected to provide live streaming options.

Historically, FISU events have been available through official FISU streaming platforms and YouTube channels. Indiana Athletics is also expected to share links, game updates, and broadcast information once schedules become official.

For Indiana fans eager to see the new-look Hoosiers, Peru may provide the first opportunity to watch the team in game action months before the regular season begins.

The Bigger Picture

This trip is about much more than six games.

It is about building chemistry. It is about developing leadership. It is about establishing roles. It is about creating trust between teammates and coaches.

Most importantly, it is about giving Darian DeVries a head start in building a program capable of competing near the top of the Big Ten.

Indiana enters the season with legitimate talent but also significant uncertainty. The Hoosiers have added transfers, freshmen, international prospects, and even a potentially valuable walk-on contributor in Ben Winker who must quickly learn how to play together.

The Peru trip provides the perfect laboratory to begin that process.

By the time Indiana returns from South America in early August, the Hoosiers should have a much clearer understanding of who they are and who they can become.

For a program looking to return to national relevance, that head start may ultimately prove to be the most valuable victory of the entire offseason.