The Tennessee men's basketball team plans to travel abroad next summer.

John Currie, UT's senior associate athletic director, said plans are for the Vols to travel to Austria and the Czech Republic as part of the school's global initiative program.

Currie said the trip is tentatively scheduled to take place between Aug. 11-22, 2007. The final itinerary won't be complete until February. Fans will then have an opportunity to purchase tour packages that will enable them to see the team play in Europe.

"Teams have an opportunity for a foreign tour under NCAA rules once every four years,'' Currie said. "Four years ago, we went to the Dominican Republic.

"This is part of our university initiative called 'Ready for the World.' "

Currie said the trip should also help the Vols get ready for life after senior Dane Bradshaw departs.

"We'll have most of our team coming back next year, but we lose Dane Bradshaw, the glue of the team,'' said Currie, whose role is to facilitate the finances and logistics of the trip. "As we're preparing to play without Dane, those 10 days will be important to the team's development.''

Tony Jones, the Vols' associate head basketball coach, said the overseas trip Wisconsin-Milwaukee took 2 1/2 years ago was integral to that team's Sweet 16 appearance.

"That trip was really good for us because it brought us closer as a team,'' said Jones, who traveled with the Panthers to France, Germany, Belgium and Amsterdam. "To be able to practice for a week and then play in the games, it gave us a head start on being a cohesive unit.''

Currie said the cultural experience should prove invaluable for student-athletes who might not otherwise get to see other parts of the world.

"You want to give the players the same type of opportunities other students have,'' Currie said. "Student-athletes can't go abroad as easily because they are in competition in both fall and spring semester, then in summer they are working out.''

Currie said NCAA rules stipulate the Vols be allowed 10 days of preparation for the tour, and then once in Europe they will play several games against solid competition.

"You want to go to a place that's interesting, that has some cultural and historical significance, but also good basketball,'' Currie said. "We'll probably see a mix of junior national teams, professional teams and academically affiliated club teams.

"Usually you'll play teams a little bit older and stronger, which will be a good experience for our kids.''