BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's basketball team is getting an early start to the 2025-26 season. The Cardinals will gain some international experience when they travel to Puerto Rico Sunday, Aug. 3 through Aug. 8.
 
The Cardinals play three games during the trip facing Universidad del Sagrado Coraźon (University of the Sacred Heart) Monday, Aug. 4^th (8 p.m.), Ana G. Mendez University Tuesday, Aug. 5^th (2 p.m.) and close out the trip against Bayamon Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. The first two games will be against Puerto Rican universities while the third game will be against a professional squad who competes in the National Superior Basketball League (BSN). Bayamon has won a league record 16 BSN titles.
 
"With eight returning players to go along with several talented newcomers we're looking to take that next step as a program," said head coach Alvin Brooks. "Last year, we won 20 games and made it to the conference championship game – this coming following a year that saw us win 19 and play in the conference semifinals - and this year we want to go further. We saw this as an opportunity to jump start the 2025-26 season."
 
Because of the trip, Lamar was granted 10 full practices with the squad to prepare for the tournament. So LU will step on the court for the 2025-26 regular with three games (exhibition) under its belt and 10 full practices before official preseason camp begins.
 
"Having 10 practices, playing in three games and have your team travel together it provides our team the opportunity to bond together at an earlier stage in the year. The opportunity to build some early chemistry, and become game and battle tested during the summer, is something that cannot be underestimated."
 
It marks the first international trip for the Red and White since August 2017 when Lamar traveled to Costa Rica.
 
"I've been a part of several trips like this in the past and it has served a huge help to the team," said Brooks. "I have to thank the Lamar University administration for supporting it and some LU donors who supported financially to make this happen."