MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin's men's basketball schedule for the 2013-14 season hasn't yet been finalized, but the Badgers' non-conference holiday tournament location should create some excitement among fans.
UW officials announced Tuesday most of the field for the 2013 Cancun Challenge, to be played over the week of Thanksgiving. Wisconsin joins Old Dominion, Saint Louis and West Virginia in the Riviera Division. Bowling Green, Oral Roberts, Presbyterian and a team yet to be announced will make up the Mayan Division.
Much like the Badgers did last season with the Las Vegas Invitational, they will host two games before the tournament moves to Mexico on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.
A possible matchup against Saint Louis could significantly boost Wisconsin's early-season RPI. The Billikens return four of their top six scorers off a team that finished 28-7 last season and won the Atlantic 10 championship. West Virginia and Old Dominion each went to the NCAA tournament two seasons ago.
Last season, Final Four participant Wichita State won the Cancun Challenge by defeating Iowa in the championship game.
For those fans that can't make the Cancun trip, there will still be opportunities to watch Wisconsin play top-level competition in Madison. Wisconsin has home games scheduled next season against Marquette and Florida.
Wisconsin returns 57.7 percent of its scoring, including leading scorer Ben Brust, who averaged 11.1 points per game. Sam Dekker (9.6 points), Traevon Jackson (6.9), Frank Kaminsky (4.2) and George Marshall (4.1) all return, as will point guard Josh Gasser, who missed last season with a torn ACL.
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