Texas Tech University Athletics
Cancun Challenge Matchups Set for Men's Basketball
June 23, 2016 | Men's Basketball
The Red Raiders will play four games over eight days as part of the 2016 Cancun Challenge
LUBBOCK, Texas --Â The Texas Tech men's basketball team will square off against Auburn to open the championship rounds of the 2016 Cancun Challenge announced Thursday by tournament organizers.
The championship rounds will be played on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico. The Red Raiders are joined by Purdue and Utah State in the four-team Riviera Division. Both of Tech's games from Mexico will be televised by CBS Sports Network.
The Red Raiders emerged with a 46-44 Big 12/SEC Challenge victory over Auburn in their last meeting on Dec. 3, 2014 at the United Supermarkets Arena. Norense Odiase provided 15 points and seven rebounds as a freshman, while Devaugntah Williams connected on the game-winning layup in the closing seconds.
Texas Tech will play host to Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 19) and Idaho State (Nov. 26) on consecutive Saturdays during the regional rounds of the Cancun Challenge at the United Supermarkets Arena. Games times for those matchups will be announced at a later date.
The Red Raiders turned in a 2-1 record at the Puerto Rico Tipoff last season. Five of the eight teams in the field eventually made the NCAA Tournament.
The Cancun Challenge is produced by Triple Crown Sports, based in Fort Collins, Colorado. A pair of tournament champions, Wisconsin in 2013 and Wichita State in 2012, reached the NCAA Final Four the same season after winning the event.
Texas Tech returns its leading scorer (Aaron Ross -- 12.5 PPG), leading rebounder (Zach Smith -- 7.5 RPG) and leading assist man (Keenan Evans -- 2.6 APG) from Big 12 action last season. The Red Raiders also are slated to bring back over 65 percent in all five major statistical categories in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TexasTechMBB along with @TexasTechMBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Cancun Challenge -- Championship RoundsÂ
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya -- Cancun, MexicoÂ
Tuesday, November 22Â
Game 1: Auburn vs. Texas Tech -- TBAÂ
Game 2: Utah State vs. Purdue -- TBAÂ
Wednesday, November 23Â
Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser -- TBAÂ
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner -- TBAÂ
Cancun Challenge -- Regional RoundsÂ
United Supermarkets Arena -- Lubbock, TexasÂ
Saturday, November 19Â
Eastern Kentucky at Texas Tech -- TBAÂ
Saturday, November 26Â
Idaho State at Texas Tech -- TBAÂ
