WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita State men's basketball will play host to Western Carolina University on Thursday, Nov. 15 in the opening game of the Cancun Challenge for both teams. The Shockers will then welcome Howard University to Charles Koch Arena two nights later on Saturday, Nov. 17.

After completing the two-game home stand head coach Gregg Marshall and the rest of the Shockers will make their way to Cancun, Mexico for a Nov. 21 contest with Depaul. 

The tournament features eight men's DI college basketball teams and includes eight games played in the United States, and eight games played in Cancun.  DePaul, Iowa, Western Kentucky and Wichita State headline the host teams' for the games played in the U.S. and are joined by Austin Peay, Gardner-Webb, Howard, and Western Carolina.

The four host teams (DePaul, Iowa, Western Kentucky and Wichita State) will play two games in their home arenas in the United States, and then play each other at Moon Palace Resort on Nov. 20-21.  The four visiting teams will travel to U.S. games then play two games in Cancun. 

Pairings for all games in the U.S. and Mexico are listed below:

Games in U.S.

Nov. 13

Austin Peay St. at Western Kentucky

Nov. 15

Gardner-Webb @ DePaul

Howard @ Iowa

Western Carolina @Wichita State

Nov. 17

Austin Peay St. @ DePaul
Gardner-Webb @ Iowa

Western Carolina @ Western Kentucky
Howard @ Wichita State

Games in Cancun

Nov. 20

Austin Peay St. vs Western Carolina

Howard vs. Gardner-Webb

DePaul vs. Wichita State

Iowa vs. Western Kentucky

Nov. 21

Austin Peay St.-Western Carolina loser vs. Howard-Gardner-Webb loser
Austin Peay St.-Western Carolina winner vs. Howard-Gardner-Webb winner
Iowa-Western Kentucky loser vs. DePaul-Wichita St. loser

Iowa-Western Kentucky winner vs. DePaul-Wichita St. winner

The Cancun Challenge is a unique event where all teams stay and play at the all-inclusive Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort in Cancun with the resort's convention center ballroom being converted into an arena which provides fans a special up-close view of the games.  Illinois claimed the event title in 2011 while previous champions include Missouri (2010), Kentucky (2009) and Vanderbilt (2008).

Seating is limited for this exclusive event, and travel packages for Shocker fans that includes admission to the games at Cancun, are available through Sunflower Travel at 316-634-1700 or Triple Crown Sports for admission into games in Mexico.  Travel packages are the only way to ensure admission to games at this time. Games at the Moon Palace Resort will be played Nov. 22-23. For travel packages information from Triple Crown Sports, contact Melissa Koza at 970-672-0567 or at Melissa@triplecrownsports.com or visit the website at www.cancunchallenge.net.

The Cancun Challenge is owned and produced by Fort Collins, Colo.-based Triple Crown Sports, which also organizes women's college basketball tournaments in Cancun, and the Preseason and Postseason Women's NIT.

- WICHITA STATE -