Auburn is fresh off an SEC regular-season title in men’s hoops, and expectations are high for Bruce Pearl’s squad heading into 2022-23.

However, before the season starts, the Tigers will be taking a cool trip, heading to Israel for some games.

Per a release from the school, the trip will take place from July 31 to Aug. 10:

The Tigers will play three games over the course of 10 days in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They will face the Israeli U-20 National Team twice on Aug. 2 and 6 as well as the Israeli Senior National Team on Aug. 8.

Pearl explained what trips like these mean to his squad:

“Every four years, you can take a foreign trip with your team,” Pearl said. “These foreign trips have been one of the greatest teaching moments I have been a part of in 40 years of coaching college basketball. Israel has not been your typical destination for college basketball teams. Yet, Israel, is one of the top 2-3 countries in the world in its quality of competition and support for professional basketball.

“Aside from basketball, this is an educational experience for our players. We are going to take them to where Jesus was born in Bethlehem and visit the City of David in Jerusalem. From a historical and religious standpoint, this is going to be one of the greatest trips in our student-athletes’ lives. I am grateful to Auburn for its continued support of our foreign trips over the years and helping with our ministry.”

We’ll see how the team fares in its 3 games, but this will be a trip the players will remember forever, win or lose.