For most of the men's basketball team, the trip to San Juan for the Puerto Rico Tip-Off basketball tournament is a chance to play three games in three days and enjoy the sights, sounds and good weather that is standard in the area.

However, for point guard Denis Clemente and center Luis Colon, this trip means much more. Both players hail from Puerto Rico and will be given the first chance to play basketball in front of their families in a long time.

"My grandma, a couple cousins, my uncle and aunty, they have never seen me play basketball, so this will be the first time they've seen me play," Clemente said.

Clemente said he does not get many opportunities to go home as he is far away and busy with basketball for most of the year.

"Twice a year," he said about his trips home. "After school in the spring and after summer in August."

Clemente said he dreamed of playing Division I college basketball as a teenager in Puerto Rico. His family moved to the mainland to pursue his dream when he was a junior in high school.

Clemente said it is hard to get noticed by college programs in Puerto Rico because it is traditionally a baseball area. He had to spend much of his time at home working in the gym and improving his game.

Since the team has two players from the area and there are no true "home teams" in the tournament field, the Wildcats feel they will have a bit of home court advantage this weekend.

"Of course, we have people from Puerto Rico, so a lot of people will there to see us," Clemente said.

Despite playing only two games at home to start the season, the team thinks they are ready to play in this tournament, which in later rounds could feature games against top-25 teams. Clemente said he thinks the team is prepared.

"I think so," Clemente said. "We are getting better every day in practice and playing hard, so I hope we get prepared Tuesday and go get that W."

Despite practicing well, the team also had to get prepared academically, turning in assignments and projects early that other students will do this week before Thanksgiving break.

"We are going to be gone basically all of next week, so we had to make up a lot of work," said Pullen. "Some classes you're going to miss, so hopefully everyone got their stuff done so we can start focusing on Puerto Rico."

Others were not as far ahead in their studies.

"Man, I still have a five-page paper due," said forward Curtis Kelly.

The Wildcats will play their first game tonight against Boston University at 6:30 p.m. in the opening round of the tournament. The next two games will be Friday and Sunday, and their start times will depend on whether the team wins or loses. For the opener against Boston, there is no TV coverage.

Puerto Rico tipoff: Thursday, Nov. 19

Game 1: 10:30 a.m. No. 18 Dayton vs. No. 21 Georgia Tech    

Game 2: 1 p.m. George Mason vs. No. 5 Villanova

Game 3: 4 p.m. Indiana vs. Ole Miss            

Game 4: 6:30 p.m. Boston vs. K-State