LONDON -- Duke may have started a trend.

The Blue Devils' weekend trip to London during Midnight Madness has resulted in a number of high-profile teams contacting promoter Basketball Travelers International about doing the same thing in 2003. The interest has been so high within the last few days that Basketball Travelers is actively pursuing bringing four major Division I college teams to play against four European teams in an International Challenge Series in October of 2003.

The logistics of such an event are still being worked out and the location of the event is still far from being determined. But, it could be moved to another easily reached European city from major U.S. airports like Paris or Barcelona. Basketball Travelers is also reviewing the possibility of keeping the tournament in North America and putting it in Toronto if the European teams would be willing to travel. But that would be tougher to do considering European pro teams are in season in mid-October.

College teams that have a fall break like Duke (at least two days off so no school is missed), have the exemption available to take a foreign trip (once every four seasons), and have a few freshmen that need minutes, will likely jump at the chance to go abroad during Midnight Madness weekend. It gives them 10 practice days before anyone else in the country and much-needed game experience, as well as invaluable team bonding.

The hope is that television would bite at the chance to get a sneak peak at teams like Kansas, Connecticut, Maryland and Florida against European teams instead of showing highlights of someone's dunk contest over the first weekend. BTI wouldn't divulge which teams were interested, but is hoping to go to a network like ESPN and pitch a loaded field once they have commitments.

Duke made its decision to come to London in August once the 2-in-4 exempted tournament rule wasn't overturned. Columbus (Ohio) federal judge Edmund A. Sargus chose to pass on changing the rule that limits teams to two exempted tournaments in four seasons. He said in a July decision that he would revisit the issue in a year. Duke would have played in the Guardians Classic had the rule been overturned. The Guardians Classic was once a 16-team tourney that got reduced to eight because it couldn't field enough teams after the decision. Duke didn't have an exemption available, but did have a foreign trip in their four-year cycle.

The practices and the games this weekend have proven to be a decided advantage for a Duke team with six freshmen and could benefit a number of other teams in 2003 and beyond.

"This will continue to evolve into a top-notch event -- bringing strong competition to an international audience at an ideal time," said Nels Hawkinson, the executive director of the Edmonds (Wash.) based BTI.

The cost of such trips could prove to be a dividing factor of the haves and have nots in going on a trip like Duke's next year. Nike footed a large portion of the bill for Duke, but wouldn't release the figures. Coach Mike Krzyzewski has had an ongoing clause in his Nike contract to help offset the costs of a foreign trip. But he never used it since Duke hasn't taken a trip since 1988. Nike rarely helps teams take a foreign trip. High-priority Nike client Arizona paid for its own trip to Australia in May. Nike usually helps teams out that take a foreign trip by giving them fresh gear for the trip.

A number of coaches don't like to take the typical foreign trip because of all the other demands on players and coaches during the season. But this kind of trip would benefit the whole program. Signed newcomers would be able to go because it's prior to the season, practices could begin in September and games could start the second weekend in October -- all without missing any school.

"The Duke experience has been positive and I think other teams will enjoy playing and traveling for a weekend in October," said Craig Jonas, BTI's marketing director.

And Krzyzewski doesn't mind starting a trend that will benefit his program this season and possibly someone else's in '03.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.