The University of North Dakota’s men’s basketball program is preparing for a landmark November series that will take it beyond the familiar confines of the Dakota Dome. For the first time since the 2024 season, the Fighting Hawks will step onto an international court, opening a new chapter in the team’s history.
A Revamped Roster Faces New Challenges
The 2026 Cancun Challenge includes eight men’s teams and pits the Hawks against Detroit Mercy, Northern Colorado or Southeastern Louisiana, and UTEP. The tournament, which has previously showcased powerhouses such as Kentucky, Purdue, Auburn and Illinois, offers UND a chance to measure itself against diverse styles of play.
Games will be staged at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Cancun, Mexico, with the opening matchup scheduled for November 24 against Detroit Mercy. A second contest on November 25 will see the Hawks face either Northern Colorado or Southeastern Louisiana, before a final showdown on December 5 in El Paso, Texas against UTEP.
All contests played on Mexican soil will be broadcast live on FloHoops, giving fans a chance to follow the action from afar. The event is split into two divisions – the Mayan Division and the Riviera Division – a structure that has defined the tournament since its women’s inception in 2005 and the addition of men’s competition in 2008.
This will mark the Hawks’ second appearance at the Cancun Challenge. In their previous outing they defeated Loyola Marymount but fell to Bethune‑Cookman and Southeastern Louisiana in 2024. Detroit Mercy and UTEP represent first‑time opponents for the program.
The composition of the current roster differs sharply from past seasons. Only three players – guard Zach Kraft, center Josh Jones and forward Karson Ouse – return from the 2025‑26 campaign, while six newcomers have arrived through the transfer portal.
Among the fresh faces is international recruit Andrija Radojevic, a Serbian forward from Kruševac who joins a group that also includes four freshmen. The departure of key scorers has left a void, but coach Kyle Lindstedt believes the blend of experience and youthful energy could translate into competitive performances against seasoned opponents.
UND has yet to release its full 2026‑27 schedule, leaving many details about future non‑conference matchups still unknown. What is clear, however, is that the team enters the season with an overhauled roster and a willingness to embrace the challenges of playing on the global stage.