Cancun Challenge | 6/29/2023 11:50:59 AM

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The charms of live college basketball and an all-inclusive warm-weather resort setting are perfect solutions to dealing with winter’s chill, and Triple Crown Sports is pleased to release details on its answer to the question with the 16th annual Men’s Cancun Challenge.
 
Set for Nov. 21-22, 2023 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, the Men’s Cancun Challenge welcomes eight teams to this gated, trusted and all-inclusive resort, where teams play in a converted ballroom that is walking distance from guest rooms. The event features four teams in the Riviera Division (Fresno State, James Madison, New Mexico State and Southern Illinois) and four teams in the Mayan Division (Chicago State, Morgan State, Northern Colorado and Radford).
 
This marks the second visit to the event for Fresno State and Northern Colorado; it’s the debut appearance for the other programs.
 
“We look forward to seeing these dedicated and on-the-rise programs shine in their spotlight moment at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, one that makes it easy for fans to track the progress of their favorite teams while enjoying a satisfying vacation experience,” said Cancun Challenge director Sarah Molina. “The convenience of the court location and the wide mix of activities on and off the property also make this a perfect trip for basketball fans who simply want to spice up their Thanksgiving routine.”
 
Four US-based games kick off the Cancun Challenge before the teams head to Mexico (dates and times subject to change):
 
Wednesday, Nov. 15
Morgan State at Fresno State

Thursday, Nov. 16
Chicago State at Southern Illinois

Friday, Nov. 17
Radford at JMU

Saturday, Nov. 18
Northern Colorado at New Mexico State
 
At the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya (subject to change):
 
Tuesday, Nov. 21
MAYAN
Morgan State vs. Radford, 12:30 p.m. ET (FloHoops)
Chicago State vs. Northern Colorado, 3 p.m. ET (FloHoops)

RIVIERA
JMU vs. Southern Illinois, 6 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)
Fresno State vs. New Mexico State, 8:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Wednesday, Nov. 22
MAYAN
Morgan State/Radford loser vs. Chicago State/Northern Colorado loser, 12:30 p.m. ET (FloHoops)
Morgan State/Radford winner vs. Chicago State/Northern Colorado winner, 3 p.m. ET (FloHoops)
 
RIVIERA
JMU/Southern Illinois loser vs. Fresno State/New Mexico State loser, 6 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)
JMU/Southern Illinois winner vs. Fresno State/New Mexico State winner, 8:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)
 
More information will continue to be released on the event website: Men's Basketball - Cancun Challenge
 
Fan packages are available; check out your options for a relaxing, secure warm-weather escape over Thanksgiving: Fan Packages - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya - Cancun Challenge

About Triple Crown Sports
Based in Fort Collins, CO., Triple Crown Sports has been producing youth, high school and college events for more than 40 years. TCS runs both the preseason and postseason WNIT basketball events and produces the men’s and women’s DI Cancun Challenge tournaments in November. Triple Crown is also powering “WNIT” concept events in D-I softball (NISC) and volleyball (NIVC), with those two events debuting in 2017. Triple Crown’s PV College Challenge features more than 10 of the top DI college softball teams in the country each year in Puerto Vallarta, MX. Anchored by the 1,100-team Colorado 4th of July event, TC fastpitch tournaments draw the nation’s finest club programs, and hundreds of college coaches attend TCS events for recruiting purposes. TCS produces one of the largest youth baseball events in the world with the Omaha SlumpBuster during the College World Series. The Triple Crown Volleyball NIT has become the top-recruited club volleyball event in the country each February when 550 teams compete in Kansas City, MO.