CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
2015 TOURNAMENT FIELD
Conference The 2015 Cancun Challenge will be played at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya,
Team
Riviera Division
Illinois State
TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW
Missouri Valley
Maryland
Big Ten
Rhode Island
Atlantic 10
TCU
Big 12
Mayan Division
Cleveland State
Horizon
Houston Baptist
Southland
Rider
Metro Atlantic
South Dakota State
Summit
2015 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
U.S. GAMES
Thurs. - Nov. 19
Houston Baptist at TCU, 8:00 p.m. ET
South Dakota State at Illinois State, 8:00 p.m. ET
Fri. - Nov. 20
Rider at Maryland, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sat. - Nov. 21
South Dakota State at TCU, 2:00 p.m. ET
Houston Baptist at Illinois State, 7:00 p.m. ET
Cleveland State at Rhode Island, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sat. - Nov. 28
Cleveland State at Maryland, 8:30 p.m. ET
Sun. - Nov. 29
Rider at Rhode Island, 2:00 p.m. ET
MEXICO GAMES
Tues. - Nov. 24
Mayan Division
Rider vs. Cleveland State, 12:30 p.m. ET
South Dakota State vs. Houston Baptist, 3:00 p.m. ET
Riviera Division
TCU vs. Rhode Island, 6:00 p.m. ET
Maryland vs. Illinois State, 8:30 p.m. ET
Wed. - Nov. 25
Mayan Third Place, 12:30pm ET
Mayan Championship, 3:00pm ET
Riviera Third Place, 6:00pm ET
Riviera Championship, 8:30pm ET
which sits along the Caribbean coastline of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, located on the
eastern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula.
This will be the 8th year of the men’s tournament and the fourth time it has been played at
the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Since its inception in 2008, the tournament has hosted
50 teams representing 24 conferences with a total of 115 games played (60 in U.S. and 55 in
Mexico). It is the only Division I men’s basketball tournament held in Mexico.
This year, the event features eight teams split into two divisions: Riviera and Mayan. Representing the Riviera Division is Illinois State (Missouri Valley), Maryland (Big Ten), Rhode Island
(Atlantic 10), and TCU (Big 12). The Mayan Division features Cleveland State (Horizon),
Houston Baptist (Southland), Rider (Metro Atlantic) and South Dakota State (Summit).
Six of the eight teams in this year’s field made postseason appearances in the 2014-15
season. Four teams are making their second trip to the Cancun Challenge with Illinois State
(2011), Cleveland State and Rider (2009) and South Dakota State (2008). Illinois State nearly
knocked off in-state rival Illinois in the 2011 Riviera Championship game before falling 63-59
to the Fighting Illini.
The tournament format includes eight games played in the United States and eight games
played in Mexico. The four Riviera teams host the four Mayan teams with two games in the
U.S. before all eight travel south of the border. Once in Mexico, each team is guaranteed two
more games with a champion crowned in both divisions.
For the eighth consecutive year the Riviera Division games in Mexico will air live in HD on CBS
Sports Network. Thad Anderson (play-by-play) and Doug Gottlieb (analyst) will be calling the
action. Anderson has worked as play-by-play for the Cancun Challenge since its inception in
2008. Anderson has been a sports broadcaster for 20 years calling football, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball on ESPN, Pac-12 Networks and SEC Network. Gottlieb, a former
college basketball standout at Oklahoma State, hosts the late-afternoon program on CBS
Sports Radio. His show can also be seen live on CBS Sports Network, where it is simulacast.
This is his first time calling the action at the Cancun Challenge. All Mayan Division games in
Mexico will be streamed live on YouTube and are free to view.
Conference Records in Cancun Challenge
Conference Won Lost Participating Schools
Big Ten
14
2
Illinois* (2011), Iowa (2012), Wisconsin* (2013),
Northwestern (2014)
Missouri Valley 14
2
Drake (2008), Illinois State (2011), Wichita State* (2012),
N. Iowa* (2014)
Atlantic 10 9
3
La Salle (2010), Richmond (2011), Saint Louis (2013)
Big 12 7
1
Missouri* (2010), West Virginia (2013)
Southland 5
6
Sam Houston State* (2009), Central Arkansas (2008),
Oral Roberts (2013)
Summit 4
8
Western Illinois (2010), Oral Roberts (2009), South Dakota State (2008)
Horizon 2
2
Cleveland State (2009)
MAAC 1
3
Rider (2009)
*Tournament Champions
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
Radio Information
We will provide two options for radio transmission: 1. Phone Line (POT) or 2. Ethernet Line. We recommend
to be ready to use either connection in case one doesn’t work with your equipment. We have found that older
radio equipment has worked better in the past than newer. If you’re using the POT line DO NOT use a toll free
number to make your connection back to the U.S. When calling to the U.S. from press row dial 001 + Area Code
+ Phone Number. All calls back to the U.S. from the resort are free. You will not be able to call toll free numbers
from the game arena.
Please contact Triple Crown Sports to secure your spot on press row and fill out a credential request form (see
link above). There is a fee each radio broadcast must pay. Triple Crown Sports accepts all major credit cards;
checks for radio rights can be mailed to the below address. To pay by credit card call or email Andy Hansen at
970-672-0517 or andy@triplecrownsports.com:
Triple Crown Sports
Attn: Andy Hansen
3930 Automation Way
Fort Collins, CO 80525
EVENT CONTACTS
Men’s Cancun Challenge
Brent Amick
(970) 672-0573
brent@triplecrownsports.com
Women’s Cancun Challenge
Renee Carlson
(970) 672-0557
renee@triplecrownsports.com
Media Contact
Andy Hansen
(970) 672-0517
andy@triplecrownsports.com
Live Stats
Fans unable to travel to Cancun will be able to follow live stats via Gametracker on the Cancun Challenge
website or the school’s website.
Media Room
There is a general media room located near the locker rooms and game court that will have all of the tournament
box scores and notes. There is wireless internet available throughout the resort, including courtside. If you
need a copier, Triple Crown has one available for limited use. On game days it will be located near the scorer’s
table in the game arena. On non-game days it will be near the locker rooms in the Convention Center. Please
contact Media Director Andy Hansen for details.
FYI
• There is wireless internet available throughout the resort, including courtside.
• Stats will be run to media at each timeout, halftime, and at the conclusion of the game.
• There is no press conference room. Media can work with each school’s SID for interviews following the games.
• Cancun Challenge officials will provide inputers and will be using the Stat Crew software. We can either email
each SID stats following each game or bring a jump drive and we can save them for you.
Hard Rock Hotel
Carretera Cancun-Chetumal KM 72
Riviera Maya
Quintana Roo
CP. 77710 - Mexico
Telephone: +52-984-875-1130
www.hrhrivieramaya.com
Official Website
The official tournament website is www.cancunchallenge.net. It has all of the latest news and information regarding the Cancun Challenge. Follow the Cancun Challenge on Facebook (TCSCancunChallenge), Instagram
(cancunchallenge), and Twitter (@CancunChallenge). Use #CancunHoops in all tweets.
All-Tournament Team
Six players from each division will be selected to an all-tournament team, and one will be named MVP. Voting is
done by media, SIDs, and tournament personnel. Team trophies will be awarded to the champion and runner-up
of each division. The awards presentation occurs immediately at the end of each division’s championship game.
TV and Webcasts
CBS Sports Network will be televising the men’s Cancun Challenge Riviera Division games for the seventh year.
All Mexico games in the men’s Mayan Division along with all women’s games will be webcast live on YouTube
Live.
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming
schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
LIVE
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
TOURNAMENT FIELD OVERVIEW
SchoolConference
CoachSeasons2014-20152014-20152014-2015
at School, RecordConference Record/Finish
Overall Record
Postseason
Cleveland State
Horizon
Gary Waters
10th season, 176-127
12-4 / T2nd
19-15
CIT 2nd Round Houston Baptist
Southland
Ron Cottrell
25th season, 435-333
7-11 / 8th
12-16
None
Illinois State
Missouri Valley
Dan Muller
4th season, 58-44
11-7 / T3rd
22-13
NIT 2nd Round
MarylandBig TenMark Turgeon
5th season, 87-5014-4 / 2nd28-7NCAA 3rd Round
Rhode Island
Atlantic 10
Dan Hurley
4th season, 45-49
13-5 / T2nd
23-10
NIT 2nd Round
Rider
Metro Atlantic
Kevin Baggett
4th season, 54-44
15-5 / 2nd
21-12
CBI 1st Round
South Dakota State
Summit Scott Nagy
21st season, 384-232
12-4 / T1st
24-11
NIT 2nd Round
TCUBig 12Trent Johnson
4th season, 38-584-14 / 9th18-15None
2014-15 TEAM STATS
School
GP
Cleveland State
34
Houston Baptist
28
Illinois State
35
Maryland
35
Rhode Island
33
Rider
33
South Dakota State
35
TCU
33
W L
19
12
22
28
23
21
24
18
15
16
13
7
10
12
11
15
PPGRPGAPGSPGBPGTPGFG%FT%3P%
67.532.513.47.8
72.437.912.45.9
68.135.911.77.3
69.134.910.74.8
67.635.813.06.5
65.234.312.17.1
73.535.812.25.5
68.236.813.26.3
3.3
4.1
4.3
4.3
5.6
2.6
3.7
5.3
12.045.4%
68.6%
38.2%
15.345.6%
72.5%
32.4%
12.843.5%
71.4%
34.4%
12.344.0%
75.6%
37.6%
13.744.9%
65.5%
30.3%
12.543.8%
60.3%
33.4%
11.445.2%
71.3%
38.3%
12.043.7%
61.5%
32.7%
Cleveland State (Horizon League)
2014-15 record: 19-15 overall (12-4 Horizon)
Postseason: CIT: Defeated Western Michigan (86-57); lost to NJIT (80-77)
Cleveland State head coach Gary Waters will have his hands full in 2015-16 as the Vikings lose four starters from a year ago, including its top four
scorers in Trey Lewis (16.3 ppg), Anton Grady (14.3 ppg), Charlie Lee (12.9 ppg) and Marlin Mason (8.3 ppg). Entering his 10th year as head coach
at CSU, Waters may have his toughest challenge yet with a young squad looking to build off a successful 2014-15 campaign which included 19 wins
and finishing tied for 2nd in the Horizon League. Look for lone returning starter and 6-2 junior Andre Yates to lead the way for the Vikings. Yates
averaged 6.1 points per game and 1.7 rebounds per game in 2014-15. Vinny Zollo, a 6-9 forward, is the only senior on the team and will be leaned
upon heavily for rebounding and scoring to fill the void. CSU is back in the Cancun Challenge field after competing in the tournament in 2009. The
Vikings finished the 2009 tournament 2-2 with wins over Florida A&M (78-64), Sam Houston State (80-65) and losses to Kentucky (73-49) and Virginia (76-65). Cleveland State guard and current NBA player for the New Orleans Pelicans, Norris Cole, holds the single-game tournament scoring
record (38 points vs. Florida A&M).
Houston Baptist (Southland Conference)
2014-15 record: 12-16 overall (7-11 Southland)
Postseason: None
Ron Cottrell, who has the eighth-longest tenure among active NCAA Division I head men’s basketball coaches, enters his 25th season at the helm of
the Huskies with a record of 435-333 (.566). Cottrell led the Huskies back to the NCAA Division I ranks after 16 seasons building a perennial power
at the NAIA Division I level, and now leads them into their third season in the Southland Conference. In addition to his coaching duties, Cottrell has
assumed the role of associate director of athletics, after spending 15 years as director of athletics at HBU. Four starters and 11 letterwinners return to
a squad that finished 8th in the Southland Conference last season. Senior guard Anthony Odunsi is the top returning scorer (12.3 ppg) for the Huskies. The 6-foot-4 guard from Sugar Land, TX is also the returning assists leader (2.6 apg). Teammate Colter Lasher also returns for HBU; the 6-7
junior forward averaged 10.6 ppg in 2014-15 and started 26 of 28 games. Top rebounder and 6-11 sophomore Josh Ibarra returns for the Huskies
(6.5 rpg) - Ibarra started nine games last year with an average of 16.6 minutes per game.
Illinois State (Missouri Valley Conference)
2014-15 record: 22-13 overall (11-7 MVC)
Postseason: NIT: Defeated Green Bay (69-56); lost to Old Dominion (50-49)
The Redbirds were tied for third in the MVC last season, another step in the process for Dan Muller, who has guided the team to steady improvement
in his three years as head coach. While two of the top three leading scorers (Daishon Knight, Reggie Lynch) are gone, senior swingman DeVaughn
Akoon-Purcell and junior point guard Paris Lee are back, both proven contributors under pressure. Akoon-Purcell missed eight games with a broken
hand last season but came back to earn honors as the MVC Newcomer of the Year. Lee led the team in assists and had 82 steals, a school record
that led the MVC and was the ninth-best mark in the country. Muller will look for contributions from his group of five freshmen; keep an eye on sophomore Deontae Hawkins, who bounced back from a foot injury to start nine of the team’s final 11 games and showed flashes of inside/outside abilities.
The entire Illinois State athletic department will honor the memory of Torrey Ward, an assistant coach and one of seven people killed in a plane crash
in April that also claimed the life of a department staffer and several boosters of the basketball program. The group was en route from the NCAA
Finals in Indianapolis.
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
Maryland (Big 10 Conference)
2014-15 record: 28-7 (14-4 Big 10)
Postseason: NCAA Tournament: Defeated Valparaiso (65-62); lost to West Virginia (69-59)
The Terrapins are going to be a fixture in any serious preseason Top 5 list in the sport, with top-notch strength at all positions on the floor. Preseason
Big 10 Player of the Year choice Melo Trimble averaged better than 16 points per game last year, shooting an impressive 41 percent from 3-point
range and handling point guard chores like a cagey veteran. Another important name to watch is Rasheed Sulaimon, a guard who transferred from
Duke and was a key member of that team’s rotation before they parted ways. Maryland also emerged the victor in the heated recruiting race for Diamond Stone, a 6-foot-10 center whose offensive skills are well beyond the average freshman. Senior forward Jake Layman is on the conference’s
watch list for notable players – he should give double-digit scoring and more punch in the rebounding department, part of coach Mark Turgeon’s
deep roster. This is Maryland’s first time in playing at the Cancun Challenge; the Big 10 is an impressive 14-2 overall at the Cancun Challenge, with
Illinois and Wisconsin having won the event previously.
Rhode Island (Atlantic 10 Conference)
2014-15 record: 23-10 overall (13-5 A-10)
Postseason: NIT: Defeated Iona (88-75); lost to Stanford (74-65)
The Rams are poised for a breakout campaign heading into the fourth season under head coach Dan Hurley, who won a D-I Coach of the Year
award after last season. Rhode Island only has one player as tall as 6-foot-9 (Memphis transfer Kuran Iverson), but the team will be front-loaded
with smarts and savvy in returning four starters. Junior guard E.C. Matthews was a second-team all-conference selection last year and averaged
right at 17 points and five rebounds per game – he’ll be looking to stay healthy throughout an entire season after fending off hand and foot injuries.
Hassan Martin, a 6-7 forward, came through with more than 11 points and seven rebounds per contest but was perhaps more useful as a defender,
leading the A-10 in blocked shots. Jared Terrell started 32 games as a true freshmen, scored nearly 10 points a game and led the team in steals;
and Jarvis Garrett had another dynamite year for a true freshmen, starting 18 games and showing steady improvement as a shooter and ball handler. Iverson was a consensus top-50 player coming out of high school and got a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately for the Rams. He has
two years of eligibility remaining.
Rider (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)
2014-15 record: 21-12 overall (15-5 Metro Atlantic)
Postseason: CBI: Lost to Loyola Chicago (62-59)
Kevin Baggett returns for his 4th season as the head coach for the Broncs. Last season, Baggett was named the MAAC Coach of the Year after
leading the team to a 21-12 record and finishing 2nd in the conference. Rider returns nine players, including seven who have played 50 or more
games and four who have played 90. Top returners include 6-4 junior Jimmie Taylor III, 6-7 junior Kahlil Thomas and 6-4 senior Teddy Okereafor.
Rider guards Okereafor and Taylor were named to the College Sports Madness Preseason All-Conference teams from the MAAC. Last season
Okereafor earned second team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors, leading the Broncs in points (370 pts, 11.2 ppg), assists (84, 2.5 apg)
and steals (59, 1.8 spg). Taylor has compiled over 700 points and over 100 assists in his first two seasons at Rider, starting all 64 games. Taylor
averaged 10.5 ppg last season and was top 3-pointer shooter (54 threes in 2014-15, 40 percent). Thomas played in only 20 games in 2014-15 due
to injury; a stress fracture which occurred Dec. 18 against Morgan State. Thomas came back strong late in the season, starting three of the final four
games, including two in the postseason. Rider is back in the Cancun Challenge after playing in 2009 where it recorded a 1-3 record. The Broncs
fell to Virginia (79-46), Kentucky (92-63) and Sam Houston State (80-68). The lone win came against Florida A&M (88-73).
South Dakota State (Summit League)
2014-15 record: 24-11 overall (12-4 Summit)
Postseason: NIT: Defeated Colorado State (86-76); lost to Vanderbilt (92-77)
South Dakota State fans in Brookings, S.D. are excited for the 2015-16 season, and they have reason to be. The Jackrabbits return four starters
and 11 letterwinners from a 24-win team a season ago. In 2014-15, SDSU made its fourth postseason appearance in as many years, advancing to
the second round of the NIT before falling to No. 5 seed Vanderbilt. Head coach Scott Nagy enters his 21st year with the Jackrabbits, holding a 384232 career record. This might be one Nagy’s most talented rosters yet, which includes three players on the Summit preseason all-league first team,
with seniors Jake Bittle, George Marshall and Deondre Parks all earning that honor. The league’s newcomer of the year and a first team all-league
pick last year, Parks started all 35 games as a junior and led the Jackrabbits in points (14.1 ppg) and minutes (31.8 mpg) played. Marshall played
in 26 games in 2014-15, averaging 13.2 ppg and shooting a blazing 42.1% from 3-point land. Bittle, a 6-4 guard from Bixby, Okla., can also light
it up from the field hitting on 53.4% of his shots while averaging 10.1 ppg in 35 games last season. SDSU is making its second appearance in the
Cancun Challenge; the Jackrabbits made the trip in 2008 where they finished with a 1-3 record.
TCU (Big 12 Conference)
2014-15 record: 18-15 overall (4-14 Big 12)
Postseason: None
The Horned Frogs and head coach Trent Johnson continue to build momentum in a difficult conference, entering the fourth season in the Big 12
after leaving the Mountain West. TCU was 20-43 in Johnson’s first two years and ran off 13 straight victories to start 2014-15; for this season, three
returning starters (Karviar Shepherd, Chris Washburn, Kenrich Williams) will anchor the team’s frontcourt while Johnson looks for his guard play
to reach game speed. Shooting guard Brandon Parish, a 6-foot-6 junior, was a part-time starter last year and is expected to offer some punch with
more playing time. Point guard chores will likely include Malique Trent, who played at New Mexico Junior College last year and was the NJCAA
Freshman of the Year. He also averaged nearly 16 points per game. Transfer forward Vladimir Brodziansky (a 6-10 native of Slovakia) averaged 15
points and nine rebounds per game at Pratt Community College in Kansas. The team played home games off-campus last year, but work has been
completed on a $72 million renovation of Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena. Johnson is no stranger to coaching programs in competitive settings, with
previous stops at Nevada, Stanford and Louisiana State.
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
TEAM QUICK FACTS
Cleveland State
Rhode Island
Houston Baptist
Rider
Illinois State
South Dakota State
Maryland
TCU
Conference: Horizon
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Head Coach: Gary Waters (10th season, 176-127)
Arena: Henry J. Goodman Arena (8,500)
Mascot: Vikings
Colors: Forest Green and White
2014/2015 Record: 19-15
Letterwinners R/L: 9/5
Starters R/L: 1/4
Conference: Southland
Location: Houston, Texas
Head Coach: Ron Cottrell (25th season, 435-333)
Arena: Sharp Gym (1,000)
Mascot: Huskies
Colors: Blue and Orange
2014/2015 Record: 12-16
Letterwinners R/L: 11/5
Starters R/L: 4/1
Conference: Missouri Valley
Location: Normal, Illinois
Head Coach: Dan Muller (4th season, 58-44)
Arena: Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena (10,200)
Mascot: Redbirds
Colors: Red and White
2014/2015 record: 22-13
Letterwinners R/L: 6/7
Starters R/L: 3/2
Conference: Big Ten
Location: College Park, Maryland
Head Coach: Mark Turgeon (5th season, 87-50)
Arena: XFINITY Center (17,950)
Mascot: Terrapins
Colors: Red, White, Black and Gold
2014/2015 Record: 28-7
Letterwinners R/L: 8/6
Starters R/L: 3/2
Conference: Atlantic 10
Location: Kingston, Rhode Island
Head Coach: Dan Hurley (4th season, 45-49)
Arena: Thomas M. Ryan Center (7,657)
Mascot: Rams
Colors: Keaney Blue, Dark Blue and White
2014/2015 Record: 23-10
Letterwinners R/L: 7/5
Starters R/L: 4/1
Conference: Metro Atlantic
Location: Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Head Coach: Kevin Baggett (4th season, 54-44)
Arena (Capacity): Alumni Gymnasium (1,650)
Mascot: Broncs
Colors: Cranberry, White and Gray
2014/2015 Record: 21-12
Letterwinners R/L: 9/4
Starters R/L: 3/2
Conference: Summit
Location: Brookings, South Dakota
Head Coach: Scott Nagy (21st season, 384-232)
Arena: Frost Arena (6,063)
Mascot: Jackrabbits
Colors: Yellow and Blue
2014/2015 Record: 24-11
Letterwinners R/L: 11/4
Starters R/L: 4/1
Conference: Big 12
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Head Coach: Trent Johnson (4th season, 38-58)
Arena: Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena (6,700)
Mascot: Horned Frogs
Colors: Purple and White
2014/2015 Record: 18-15
Letterwinners R/L: 8/7
Starters R/L: 3/2
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
Redbirds rebound from tragedy, expect improvement all around
All the familiar sounds and sights of the basketball season, and the natural
optimism of a new chance to put their skills to work, are a major comfort these
days for the Illinois State men’s squad.
Head coach Dan Muller and his program are enjoying the little things after having to confront one of the biggest shocks imaginable - last April’s plane crash
that claimed the lives of seven people associated with the program, including assistant coach Torrey Ward. They were returning home from the NCAA
Championships in Indianapolis when hostile weather conditions brought the
plane down.
Illinois State has constructed a memorial fountain outside Redbird Arena; all
teams in the athletic department will wear an honorary patch as well, and the
basketball team itself will be acknowledging Ward and the others throughout
the campaign. Ever so carefully, the assignment is being tackled of getting
back to work while reflecting on what happened in April.
“Looking back, and even when we were in the middle of it, one of the things
that helped us all was continuing to have workouts,” said Muller, whose team
went 22-13 last year and reached the second round of the NIT in the postseason. “We kept the schedule as is — yeah, there was recruiting that I missed
and adjustments, obviously. We decided to do that on a volunteer basis early,
but every player wanted to do that. It helped us get through it — one thing I did learn was sitting around and doing nothing is the absolute worst thing you can do. Sometimes, you can’t help it … but our focus was, what can we do to help the
players and staff, and to help the families who are affected the most?”
“Once they came back to campus in the summer, in July, it slowly felt more normal. The truth is, even in a tragedy like
that, life goes on. It’s not insensitive to the men and families we love, because it doesn’t mean you forget — they will
never be forgotten. But we’ve got to figure out how to do the best we can with our responsibilities, and the people we care
about. We all stuck together, and we had a lot of people helping.”
When the ball tips off for 2015-16, the lineup should be fortified by point guard Paris Lee, and forward DeVaughn AkoonPurcell. Lee enters his junior season as a proven distributor of the ball, while knowing his role as a scorer is likely going to
increase.
“We’ve been told about that need (of replacing points), and I may need to score more, attack more, and I’m OK with that.
Of course, I need to get my teammates involved,” he said. “But as a group, we should be able to put more points on the
board. We’ll be more uptempo, and some nights I’ll have it going, and other nights my teammates will. Points will come
from different guys, in different ways.
“I’ve been watching clips from practice when we were in Spain (a team trip this summer), and I’m looking for those times
I could attack, or when to get the others the ball. To be honest, I really don’t even think about the guy guarding me – I’m
looking at my teammates and how they are being defended.”
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
“The difference from last year to this is he’s improved his body; he’s stronger and can be more physical at both ends.
He’s an upperclassman who knows what I want and what I expect,” Muller said. “I trust Paris to lead. His scoring could
increase, and he certainly could. But his job is to run the team, and I think he will score as much as the situation dictates
it.”
Akoon-Purcell had a terrific debut year at Illinois State last season after transferring from a junior college in Oklahoma.
He missed seven games with a hand injury (breaking it on the backboard pad against DePaul), but worked his way back
and showed ability inside and outside to score the ball.
“My main focus was to work hard that offseason (before playing at Illinois State). But I’ve been used to being in new
places for a while, and I just try to jump right in,” said Akoon-Purcell, who averaged about 13 points and six rebounds
per game. “I knew something wasn’t right (when he broke his hand). I tried to keep the right mindset coming back. Plus,
Russell Westbrook was coming back from something similar at about the same time, and that motivated me a bit as
well.
“I haven’t looked at the numbers much, but I know (field goal percentage) wasn’t the greatest. I know what I need to do.
I expect to be more efficient and consistent, and what I did was change my mindset and approach every practice like
there’s nothing here being given to me. I want to work for everything.”
“DeVaughn did not have your typical struggles with the transition. To the point he got hurt, he was leading the team in
scoring and was first or second in rebounding,” Muller said. “He’s coachable and talented, and naturally played hard.
He’s one of the most talented players in our league, can score at many levels — he’s a competitor, and that’s where it
starts for every player.”
Going forward, the Redbirds will try to explore the merits of playing a bit faster, and hope that an uptick in shooting efficiency will take root as well. The modern game certainly requires a steady hand from 3-point range.
“We’ve got to create offense, and we can do some of that by our defense and how fast we run. We do have to replace a
couple of top scorers, but I think we’ve got four guys who can score in multiple ways, and help each other score as well,”
Muller said. “We’ve got length and athleticism, but if you don’t shoot it well from 3, it’s just hard.”
But handling adversity and showing both composure and determination are traits the Redbirds have been forced to
evolve ever since April.
“It was so tough at first. We want to use it as motivation, because coach Ward was a motivator for us all,” Akoon-Purcell
said. “One thing I’ve noticed is, if I’m not going totally hard, or if I’m hanging my head about something, I think about
what he would say.”
“That was definitely a terrible day, terrible week, terrible month, however you want to say it. I try to use it as fuel,” Lee
added. “The day it happened, Coach said we could cancel the workout we had scheduled, but he left it up to DeVaughn
and me if we should do that. We chose to do it, to get our work in because coach Ward would have wanted us to be in
the gym. That was an emotional time … coach Ward is always on our mind.”
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
CLEVELAND STATE: The Vikings (19-15 last season) were picked to finish seventh in the Horizon League preseason poll, certainly a
function of coach Gary Waters losing four starters from 2014-15. The roster took a couple of other nicks in the offseason, as two players moved to more high-profile programs (Louisville and Wichita State) while a key assistant coach joined the staff at Nevada.
Practice time has been focused on getting the point guard situation stabilized. Myles Hamilton, a 6-foot-1 transfer from Kennesaw
State, got to practice with the team last year but has been slowed recently by a groin injury, pushing back his ability to take the reins.
Sophomore Kenny Carpenter, a bit bigger at 6-4, is going to get the chance to play there and ideally provide depth going forward.
The frontcourt will likely see a heavy rotation of players; 6-7 freshman Jibri Blount has led the team a few times in scoring during scrimmages, and 6-7 junior Demonte Flannigan will have an athletic advantage over many defenders.
HOUSTON BAPTIST: The Huskies were 12-16 a season ago, and odds are the record will top out over .500 this year with the team
returning four starters. However, if the squad doesn’t solve its issue with turning the ball over, the win-loss record could remain a stubborn thing to improve. With those variables, the team was picked to finish ninth in the 13-team Southland Conference.
For the first time in its three years in the league, Houston Baptist has a player on the preseason honors list, as senior guard Anthony
Odunsi was named to the second team. He averaged more than 12 points per game last season and had an accurate shooting eye
from 3-point range even if he didn’t take a ton of attempts. Junior forward Colter Lasher, at 6-7, is an offensive weapon both inside and
out.
In a curious aside, Houston Baptist gets a notable transfer next year in William Gates Jr.; his father, William Gates Sr., was one of the
main subjects in the landmark basketball documentary, Hoop Dreams.
MARYLAND: Hands down, the team with the highest profile heading into the Cancun Challenge. Ranked third in the preseason AP
poll and No. 1 in ESPN’s rankings, the Terrapins have fearsome talent up and down the lineup. It starts with sophomore guard Melo
Trimble, the Big 10 preseason players of the year, and just keeps going, with Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon expected to rise to the
occasion.
Prized recruit Diamond Stone is going to be a force down low, although the considerable depth of the roster means he won’t be leaned
on too heavily, too soon. Expect a burst of energy from Georgia Tech transfer Robert Carter, who earned a spot on the all-ACC freshmen team.
“We’re extremely excited about this year. I really like the team we’ve put together. I really like my guys,” said head coach Mark Turgeon
at Maryland’s media day. “I like working with my guys. They’re a very competitive group. Whenever we put the score up and the time,
they really get after it. As a coach, you feel good about that. Really since all of the expectations started coming in April, our guys have
worked really hard. We had a great spring. We had a great summer. We’ve had a great fall. The first 12 days of practice have been really good for us. We’re excited and we’re looking forward to it.”
RIDER: The Broncs have nine players returning from a team that won 21 games last season and were picked in a tie to finish third in
the preseason poll for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Keep an eye on the strong, long backcourt featuring 6-4 guards Teddy
Okereafor (a native of London) and Jimmie Taylor, as both players do a nice job defensively and appear on the brink of becoming very
difficult to guard on offense.
“We need to run more,” said Kevin Baggett, last year’s MAAC coach of the year. “Without having a more consistent post presence,
we’re going to need to be able to get up and down a little bit more. We might struggle at times in the halfcourt, but if we can get up and
down, it might help us.”
Junior forward Kahlil Thomas, a 6-7, has given the Broncs good production in the past and should get plenty of touches this season.
One more thing to watch – another good year by Rider will elevate the profile of Baggett, whose name came up regarding several
coaching vacancies last spring.
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
RHODE ISLAND: The Rams are one of those teams college fans are excited about this year, bringing back some talented players and
having the depth to build a resume that will get them in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 16 years.
Guard E.C. Matthews and forward Hassan Martin are the linchpins outside and inside; they set the tone defensively, which will always
be the first concern of coach Dan Hurley. One of the weaknesses last year was the inconsistent long-range shooting on the roster, and
offseason workouts put a high priority on getting more production from the 3-point line.
Dayton and Davidson are likely going to be hurdles for Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10, but poll after pool is giving a lot of respect to
the Rams.
“It’s good to hear, know the program hasn’t had the attention in a while. To be a part of the reason for the buzz feels good; we’re getting recognized,” said Martin, who blocked more than 100 shots last season, an impressive number for a player who stands 6-7. “But
we can’t let that get to our heads. You have to look through the hype and still stay focused. It’s our job to make the hype and the buzz
become a reality.”
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE: The Jackrabbits will be fun to watch, coming off a 24-victory season and an appearance in the NIT, and
returning four starters. Seniors Jake Bittle, George Marshall and Deondre Parks were named to the all-Summit League preseason first
team, and the team was picked by a comfortable margin of voters to win the league.
Speaking of fun, head coach Scott Nagy shocked just about everyone at the school’s media day, when he showed up with a somewhat thick and graying beard and joked around with reporters. Nagy’s reputation is to be more serious, to say the least, and he said
he’s more determined to enjoy the ride rather than chirp and complain about the process.
“Wherever people are picked before the season doesn’t really matter,” Nagy said. “There are so many newcomers in the league, so
many transfers who could make big impacts in the league that we all know that stuff doesn’t matter. We know expectations are big, but
they’re either very high or low and I’d rather people think highly of us. We’re very confident, particularly our older kids, so we expect to
play well if we stay healthy. “
TCU: The Frogs did their best to get primed for Big 12 Conference action last year, but a 4-14 record in the league brought the team
to earth (and an 18-15 final record) and out of the mix in the postseason.
The frontcourt is a source of strength with Karviar Shepherd, Chris Washburn and Kenrich Williams back on the floor, and all with
significant starting experience. They’ve been able to make a mark in rebounding through their careers, but head coach Trent Johnson
is going to need more scoring from those positions while his young guards mature.
“We have some guys that have been through it, so to speak,” Johnson said at the school’s media day. “The key for us is leadership,
and then obviously guys having opportunities to score the ball and doing that with confidence and taking care of the ball, doing that
with confidence, and being able to pass and catch and doing that with confidence. Hopefully that will put us in a situation where we get
over the hump.”
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
TOURNAMENT BRACKET
5
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
PAST RESULTS
2014
2013
2011
2012
Elon
Liberty
Miami (Ohio)
Morgan State
North Florida
Northern Iowa
Northwestern
Virginia Tech
Bowling Green
Georgia Southern
Old Dominion
Oral Roberts
Presbyterian
Saint Louis
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Austin Peay State
DePaul
Gardner-Webb
Howard
Iowa
Western Carolina
Western Kentucky
Wichita State
Hampton
Illinois
Illinois State
Lipscomb
Richmond
Rutgers
Sacred Heart
SIUE
Games Played in U.S.
Virginia Tech 73, Liberty 63
Northern Iowa 73, Morgan State 53
Northwestern 69, North Florida 67
Northern Iowa 66, North Florida 49
Miami (Ohio) 63, Liberty 52
Northwestern 68, Elon 67 (OT)
Elon 70, Miami (Ohio) 68
Virginia Tech 83, Morgan State 63
Games Played in U.S.
Wisconsin 88, Bowling Green 64
Saint Louis 72, Oral Roberts 55
Old Dominion 69, Presbyterian 51
West Virginia 101, Georgia Southern 68
Wisconsin 76, Oral Roberts 67
Saint Louis 74, Bowling Green 47
Old Dominion 86, Georgia Southern 69
West Virginia 88, Presbyterian 55
Games Played in U.S.
Western Kentucky 74, Austin Peay 54
Gardner-Webb 71, DePaul 59
Iowa 66, Howard 36
Wichita State 79, Western Carolina 63
DePaul 98, Austin Peay 67
Iowa 65, Gardner-Webb 56
Western Kentucky 92, Western Carolina 81
Wichita State 69, Howard 50
Games Played in U.S.
Illinois 66, SIUE 46
Richmond 72, Hampton 51
Illinois State 68, SIUE 38
Illinois 79, Lipscomb 64
Rutgers 91, Sacred Heart 75
Richmond 83, Sacred Heart 58
Illinois State 78, Lipscomb 70
Rutgers 66, Hampton 52
Games Played in Mexico
Elon 74, Morgan State 73
North Florida 77, Liberty 57
Northern Iowa 73, Virginia Tech 54
Northwestern 55, Miami (Ohio) 46
Morgan State 51, Liberty 50
North Florida 72, Elon 65
Virginia Tech 78, Miami (Ohio) 63
Northern Iowa 61, Northwestern 42
Riviera Champion: Northern Iowa
Mayan Champion: North Florida
Games Played in Mexico
Bowling Green 67, Presbyterian 45
Oral Roberts 67, Georgia Southern 65
West Virginia 78, Old Dominion 60
Wisconsin 63, Saint Louis 57
Georgia Southern 76, Presbyterian 66
Oral Roberts 63, Bowling Green 56
Saint Louis 62, Old Dominion 52
Wisconsin 70, West Virginia 63
Riviera Champion: Wisconsin
Mayan Champion: Oral Roberts
Games Played in Mexico
Austin Peay 72, Western Carolina 71
Gardner-Webb 55, Howard 43
Wichita State 75, DePaul 62
Iowa 63, Western Kentucky 55
Western Carolina 69, Howard 67
Gardner-Webb 72, Austin Peay 62
Western Kentucky 70, DePaul 61
Wichita State 75, Iowa 63
Riviera Champion: Wichita State
Mayan Champion: Gardner-Webb
Games Played in Mexico
Lipscomb 90, SIUE 87
Sacred Heart 78, Hampton 71
Illinois State 76, Rutgers 70
Illinois 70, Richmond 61
Hampton 68, SIUE 64
Lipscomb 79, Sacred Heart 77
Richmond 58, Rutgers 53
Illinois 63, Illinois State 59
Riviera Champion: Illinois
Mayan Champion: Lipscomb
2010
2009
La Salle
Missouri
Morgan State
North Florida
Prairie View A&M
Providence
Western Illinois
Wyoming
Cleveland State
Florida A&M
Kentucky
Oral Roberts
Rider
Sam Houston State
Stanford
Virginia
Games Played in U.S.
Providence 77, Morgan State 55
La Salle 88, Prairie View A&M 74
Missouri 66, Western Illinois 61
North Florida 76, Wyoming 60
Saturday, Nov. 20, Played in U.S.
La Salle 79, Morgan State 74
Missouri 96, North Florida 58
Providence 78, Prairie View A&M 62
Wyoming 64, Western Illinois 55
Games Played in U.S.
Oral Roberts 83, Stanford 81
Kentucky 102, SHSU 92
Virginia 79, Rider 46
Cleveland State 78, Florida A&M 64
Stanford 99, Florida A&M 69
Kentucky 92, Rider 63
Virginia 76, Oral Roberts 55
Cleveland State 80, SHSU 65
Games Played in Mexico
North Florida 84, Prairie View A&M 66
Morgan State 72, Western Illinois 53
La Salle 84, Providence 73
Missouri 72, Wyoming 62
Western Illinois 69, Prairie View A&M 63
North Florida 59, Morgan State 52
Providence 84, Wyoming 77
Missouri 83, La Salle 71
Riviera Champion: Missouri
Mayan Champion: North Florida
6
Games Played in Mexico
Rider 88, Florida A&M 73
SHSU 71, Oral Roberts 65
Kentucky 73, Cleveland State 49
Stanford 57, Virginia 52
ORU 72, Florida A&M 51
SHSU 80, Rider 68
Virginia 76, Cleveland St. 65
Kentucky 73, Stanford 65 OT
Riviera Champion: Kentucky
Mayan Champion: SHSU
2008
Central Arkansas
Citadel
Drake
Grambling State
Morehead State
New Mexico
South Dakota State
UCF
Vanderbilt
VCU
Games Played in U.S.
VCU 82, The Citadel 59
Vanderbilt 74, Morehead St. 48
VCU 72, South Dakota St. 56
Drake 86, Morehead St. 70
New Mexico 96, Grambling 50
UCF 72, New Mexico 71
Drake 75, South Dakota St. 65
Vanderbilt 83, C. Arkansas 62
C. Arkansas 58, The Citadel 53
Grambling 72, Morehead St. 71
UCF 66, South Dakota St. 64
Games Played in Mexico
Vanderbilt 72, Drake 57
VCU 67, New Mexico 55
The Citadel 55, Grambling 41
S. Dakota State 72, C. Arkansas 67
Morehead St. 71, UCF 65
Drake 68, New Mexico 62
Vanderbilt 71, VCU 66
Champions: Vanderbilt
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS
2014
Mayan Division
Blake Bozeman - Morgan State
Andrew Smith - Liberty
Elijah Bryant - Elon
Luke Eddy - Elon
Demarcus Daniels - North Florida
2011
Mayan Division
Darrion Pellum - Hampton
Jerome Jones - SIUE
Shane Gibson - Sacred Heart
Justin Swidowski - Sacred Heart
Zavion Williams - Lipscomb
Tournament MVP
Dallas Moore - North Florida
Tournament MVP
Robert Boyd - Lipscomb
Riviera Division
Eric Washington - Miami Ohio
Joey van Zegeren - Virginia Tech
Bryant McIntosh - Northwestern
Alex Olah - Northwestern
Wes Washpun - Northern Iowa
Riviera Division
Darien Brothers - Richmond
Gilvydas Biruta - Rutgers
John Wilkins - Illinois State
Jon Ekey - Illinois State
Sam Maniscalco - Illinois
Tournament MVP
Seth Tuttle - Northern Iowa
Tournament MVP
DJ Richardson - Illinois
2013
2010
Mayan Division
Cameron Black - Bowling Green
Anthony Henderson - Bowling Green
Jordan Downing - Presbyterian
Jelani Hewitt - Georgia Southern
Korey Billbury - Georgia Southern
Mayan Division
Matt Lander – Western Illinois
Trant Simpson – Prairie View A&M
Kevin Thompson – Morgan State
Aric Brooks – Morgan State
Jimmy Williams – North Florida
Tournament MVP
Shawn Glover - ORU
Tournament MVP
Jerron Granberry – North Florida
Riviera Division
Dwayne Evans – Saint Louis
Aaron Bacote – Old Dominion
Juwan Staten – West Virginia
Eron Harris – West Virginia
Traevon Jackson – Wisconsin
Riviera Division
Vincent Council – Providence
Amath M’baye – Wyoming
Ruben Guillandeaux – La Salle
Aaric Murray – La Salle
Ricardo Ratliffe – Missouri
Tournament MVP
Sam Dekker - Wisconsin
Tournament MVP
Marcus Denmon - Missouri
2012
Mayan Division
Western Carolina - Trey Sumler
Howard - Simuel Frazier
Austin Peay - Chris Horton
Austin Peay - Travis Betran
Gardner-Webb - Max Landis
Tournament MVP
Gardner-Webb - Donta Harper
Riviera Division
Cleveland Melvin - DePaul
T.J. Price - Western Kentucky
Roy Devyn Marble - Iowa
Aaron White - Iowa
Malcolm Armstead - Wichita State
Tournament MVP
Cleanthony Early - Wichita State
2009
Mayan Division
Gilberto Clavell – Sam Houston State
Ryan Thompson – Rider
Justin Robinson – Rider
Kevin Ford – Oral Roberts
Dale Hughes – Florida A&M
2008
Kai Williams – South Dakota State
Jermaine Beal – Vanderbilt
Larry Sanders – Virginia Commonwealth
Eric Maynor – Virginia Commonwealth
Tournament MVP
AJ Ogilvy – Vanderbilt
CANCUN PARTICIPANTS IN NBA DRAFT
2009
Eric Maynor, VCU 2008 (No. 28 by Utah)
Jermaine Taylor, Central Florida 2008 (No. 32 by Washington)
2010
John Wall, Kentucky 2009 (No. 1 by Washington)
DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky 2009 (No. 5 Sacramento)
Patrick Petterson, Kentucky 2009 (No. 14 Houston)
Larry Sanders, VCU 2008 (No. 15 Milwaukee)
Eric Bledsoe, Kentucky 2009 (No. 18 Oklahoma City)
Daniel Orton, Kentucky 2009 (No. 29 Orlando)
Darington Hobson, New Mexico 2008 (No. 37 Milwaukee)
Landry Fields, Stanford 2009 (No. 39 New York)
2011
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State 2008 (No. 22 by Denver)
Marshon Brooks, Providence 2010 (No. 22 by Boston)
Norris Cole, Cleveland State 2009 (No. 28 by Chicago)
Josh Harrellson, Kentucky 2009 (No. 45 by New Orleans)
DeAndre Liggins, Kentucky 2009 (No. 53 by Orlando)
2012
Meyers Leonard, Illinois 2011 (No. 11 by Portland)
Kim English, Missouri 2010 (No. 44 by Detroit)
Marcus Denmon, Missouri 2010 (No. 59 by San Antonio)
2013
None
Tournament MVP
Ashton Mitchell – Sam Houston State
2014
Riviera Division
DeMarcus Cousins – Kentucky
Landry Fields – Stanford
Jeremy Green – Stanford
Sylven Landesberg – Virginia
Jeremy Montgomery – Cleveland State
2015
Tournament MVP
John Wall – Kentucky
Cleanthony Early, Wichita State 2012 (No. 34 by New York)
Roy Devyn Marble, Iowa 2012 (No. 56 by Denver)
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin 2013 (No. 9 by Charlotte)
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin 2013 (No. 18 by Houston)
Aaron White, Iowa 2012 (No. 49 by Washington)
Richaun Holmes, Bowling Green 2013 (No. 37 by Philadelphia)
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
TEAM AND PLAYER RECORDS (2008-2014)
*U.S AND CANCUN GAMES COMBINED
TOURNAMENT RECORDS — INDIVIDUAL PLAYER
Points: 93, Shawn Glover (Oral Roberts), 2013
Field Goals Made: 37, Shawn Glover (Oral Roberts), 2013
3-Point Field Goals Made: 18, Corey Allmond (Sam Houston State), 2009
Free Throws Made: 28, Ryan Thompson (Rider), 2009; Aaron White (Iowa), 2012
Rebounds: 43, Landry Fields (Stanford), 2009; Patrick Peterson (Kentucky), 2009
Offensive Rebounds: 24, Zech Smith (Morgan State), 2014
Defensive Rebounds: 31, Cameron Black (Bowling Green), 2013; Jonathan Cox (Drake), 2008
Assists: 31, Juwan Staten (West Virginia), 2013
Blocked Shots: 18, Larry Sanders (VCU), 2008
Steals: 15, Joey Rodriguez (VCU), 2008
SINGLE-GAME RECORDS — TEAM
Points: 102, Kentucky vs. Sam Houston State, 2009
Field Goals Made: 36, Kentucky vs. Sam Houston State, 2009; Missouri vs. North Florida, 2010
3-Point Field Goals Made: 18, Sam Houston State vs. Kentucky, 2009
Free Throws Made: 28, Cleveland State vs. Florida A&M, 2009
Rebounds: 59, La Salle vs. Providence, 2010
Offensive Rebounds: 23, Prairie View A&M vs. La Salle, 2010
Defensive Rebounds: 40, La Salle vs. Providence, 2010
Assists: 25, New Mexico vs. Grambling, 2008
Blocked Shots: 11, Providence vs. Morgan State, 2010
Steals: 14, VCU vs. Vanderbilt, 2008; Sam Houston State vs. Kentucky, 2009
SINGLE-GAME RECORDS — INDIVIDUAL PLAYER
Points: 38, Norris Cole (Cleveland State) vs. Florida A&M, 2009
Field Goals Made: 13 Corey Allmond (Sam Houston State) vs. Kentucky, 2009; Dominique
Morrison (Oral Roberts) vs. Stanford, 2009
3-Point Field Goals Made: 11, Corey Allmond (Sam Houston State) vs. Kentucky, 2009
Free Throws Made: 16, Vincent Council (Providence) vs. Wyoming, 2010
Rebounds: 18, DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky) vs. Sam Houston State, 2009; Patrick Patterson
(Kentucky) vs. Rider, 2009
Offensive Rebounds: 9, Patrick Patterson (Kentucky) vs. Rider, 2009
Defensive Rebounds: 13, Cameron Black (Bowling Green) vs. Presbyterian, 2013
Assists: 11, John Wall (Kentucky) vs. Rider, 2009
Blocked Shots: 9, Aaric Murray (La Salle) vs. Morgan State, 2010
Steals: 7, Samuel Frazier (Howard) vs. Gardner-Webb, 2012
RECORD BY SCHOOL
School W
L
Austin Peay State
1
3
Bowling Green
1
3
Central Arkansas
1
2
Citadel1
2
Cleveland State
2
2
DePaul1
3
Drake3
1
Elon2
2
Florida A&M
0
4
Gardner-Webb
3
1
Georgia Southern
1
3
Grambling State
1
2
Hampton 13
Howard0
4
Illinois4
0
Illinois State
3
1
Iowa3
1
Kentucky 40
LaSalle3
1
Liberty0
4
Lipscomb 22
Miami Ohio
1
3
Missouri4
0
Morehead State
1
3
Morgan State
2
6
New Mexico
1
3
North Florida
5
3
Northern Iowa
4
0
Northwestern
3 1
Old Dominion
2
2
Oral Roberts 4
4
Prairie View A&M
0
4
Presbyterian
0 4
Providence 3 1
Richmond 31
Rider 1
3
Rutgers2
2
Sacred Heart
1
3
Saint Louis
3
1
Sam Houston State
2
2
South Dakota State
1
3
SIUE0
4
Stanford2
2
UCF2
1
Vanderbilt 40
Virginia3
1
VCU3
1
Virginia Tech
3
1
Western Carolina
1
3
Western Illinois
1
3
Western Kentucky
3
1
West Virginia
3
1
Wichita State
4
0
Wisconsin 40
Wyoming 13
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com
CANCUN CHALLENGE
Men’s Tournament Notes
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Nov. 19-29, 2015
TOURNAMENT LEADERS
Scoring Leaders School Year GP PTS AVG.
Shawn GloverOral Roberts201349323.2
Landry Fields Stanford 2009 4 91 22.8
Eric Maynor VCU 2008 4 90 22.5
Jelani HewittGeorgia Southern201348320.8
Norris Cole Cleveland St. 2009 4 82 20.5
Rebounding Leaders School Year GP REB AVG.
Landry Fields Stanford 2009 4 43 10.8
Patrick Peterson Kentucky 2009 4 43 10.8
Cameron BlackBowling Green201344010.0
Aaric Murray La Salle 2010 4 39 9.8
Kevin Thompson Morgan State 2010 4 38 9.8
Assist Leaders School Year GP AST AVG.
Juwan StatenWest Virginia20134317.8
John Wall Kentucky 2009 4 28 7.0
Devin WilsonVirginia Tech20144256.3
Demonte Harper Morehead St. 2008 4 23 5.8
Jamal CrookWestern Kentucky20124225.5
Jarrett MannStanford20094225.5
Steal Leaders School Year GP STL AVG.
Joey Rodriquez VCU 2008 4 15 3.8
Demonte Harper Morehead St. 2008 4 13 3.2
Simuel FrazierHoward20124123.0
Lance Pevehouse Sam Houston St. 2009 4 11 2.8
Prince OkorohHoward20124112.8
Blocked Shots School Year GP BLK AVG.
Larry Sanders VCU 2008 4 18 4.5
Aaric Murray La Salle 2010 4 16 4.0
Darrius GarrettRichmond20114164.0
DeMarcus Cousins Kentucky 2009 4 12 3.0
Kenneth Faried Morehead St. 2008 4 12 3.0
Meyers LeonardIllinois20114123.0
Chris HortonAustin Peay20124123.0
Field Goals Made School Year GP FGM PCT.
Shawn GloverOral Roberts201343756.1
Eric Maynor VCU 2008 4 33 51.5
Cleveland MelvinDePaul201243252.5
Landry Fields Stanford 2009 4 30 45.5
Darrion PellumHampton201143041.1
10 9
3-Pointers Made School Year GP 3PM PCT.
Corey Allmond Sam Houston St. 2009 4 18 47.4
Maze Stallworth Morehead St. 2008 4 16 43.2
Jimmy Green Stanford 2009 4 15 50.0
Darien BrothersRichmond201141560.0
Adam SmithVirginia Tech201441557.7
Eron HarrisWest Virginia201341453.8
Robert BoydLipscomb201141445.2
Brad Tinsley Vanderbilt 2008 4 14 53.8
www.cancunchallenge.net | Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | andy@triplecrownsports.com