Bradley University Athletics

2022 Cancun Challenge Bracket Announced

Full Schedule & Release

Men's Basketball 4/7/2022 2:51:00 PM

The first glimpse of the 2022-23 Bradley men's basketball schedule was unveiled on Thursday with the announcement of the Cancun Challenge bracket.

The Braves are scheduled to open against a top-10 national opponent in Auburn in the four-team Riviera Division – a field that includes two Power 5 schools overall with all four programs qualifying for at least one of the last five NCAA Tournaments (three with multiple bids).

Auburn, who was ranked No. 8 in the final AP poll of the 2021-22 season and earned a two seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, has played Bradley on two prior occasions. The Tigers have won both meetings between the schools, including a 90-86 victory in the 1988 NCAA Tournament.

Liberty and Northwestern will square off in the second semifinal on Tuesday, Nov. 22 with the championship and consolation games scheduled one day later on Nov. 23. Bradley will also host Eastern Michigan as part of the Cancun Challenge, welcoming the Eagles to Carver Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The Braves are looking to repeat as champions in Mexico as BU claimed the 2018 title four years ago. Bradley earned a 75-62 victory against SMU in the semifinals before defeating the Big Ten's Penn State in the championship game, 59-56, for the school's first regular-season tournament title in 35 years.

Details on fan travel options via a team flight will be available at a later time.

The Braves finished the 2021-22 season with a 17-14 overall record and an 11-7 mark in Missouri Valley Conference action – tied for their most wins in Valley play in the last 21 seasons.

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