One of the toughest schedules in the nation will lead the 2016-2017 Auburn basketball team to Cancun, Mexico, to compete against a variety of power five opponents in the 9th Cancun Challenge. The Tigers will play their first game of the challenge against Big 12 opponent Texas Tech on Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. CST at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Cancun.
Auburn will then either play Utah State or a nationally ranked Purdue team in the championship or third-place game on Nov. 23. The game will take place at 5 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. depending on how the Tigers fare.
Before the trip to Cancun the Tigers will host Georgia State, a team that has won at least 25 games in two of the last three seasons, on Nov. 14. Bruce Pearl and the Tigers will also play host to Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 17, a squad that has had three 21 win seasons in the last four years. Both of these games are a part of the Cancun Challenge but will be played in Auburn Arena.
Purdue finished last season ranked 12th nationally after winning 26 games and reaching the NCAA Tournament. Since 2000, Utah State has won seven regular season conference titles and six tournament championships.
The Cancun Challenge, entering its ninth year, is one of the most unique basketball events held each year. Teams stay and play at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya; the resort's convention center ballroom is converted into a basketball arena, providing fans a special close-up view of the games.
Previous champions of the Cancun Challenge include Vanderbilt (2008), Kentucky (2009), Missouri (2010), Illinois (2011), Wichita State (2012), Wisconsin (2013), Northern Iowa (2014) and Maryland (2015).
All four games games in the Riviera Division will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.
The schedule for the tournament can be seen below:
TUESDAY, NOV. 22
12:30 pm: NJIT vs. Georgia State
3 pm: Idaho State vs. Eastern Kentucky
6 pm: Texas Tech vs. Auburn
8:30 pm: Purdue vs. Utah State
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23
12:30 pm: Mayan Division Third place game
3 pm: Mayan Division Championship Game
6 pm: Riviera Division Third place game
8:30 pm: Riviera Division Championship game
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