Purdue's opponent for opening round of Cancun Challenge announced
Purdue’s basketball program now knows who it will face in the first round of the Cancun Challenge come November.
On Wednesday, Purdue announced that it will play Illinois State in the first round of the Cancun Challenge. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 24 and the game will be played in Melbourne, Florida.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET.
This will be the second time the Boilermakers have participated in the Cancun Challenge. Purdue defeated Utah State and Auburn in 2016 to win the event.
Purdue and Illinois State have met on the hardwood eight times with the Boilers victorious in all eight contests. The last meeting was nearly 20 years ago, when the Boilermakers defeated the Redbirds 90-79 in the NIT in 2001.
In addition to Purdue’s first-round opponent, the Boilermakers will also play Rider in a preliminary game on Friday, Nov. 20. That game will be played at Mackey Arena.
Purdue won the only contest against Rider, an 81-77 victory in 2013.