ESPN has released the schedule for the fourth annual SEC/ACC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Challenge, set to take place from December 1-3. This event features prominent teams from two of college basketball's top conferences, showcasing highly anticipated non-conference matchups across various ESPN networks.
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The men's games will occur on December 1 and 2, while the women's games will take place on December 2 and 3. Coverage will be available on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, and ACC Network, with streaming options on the ESPN app.
Highlighted in the Men’s Challenge are 12 teams listed in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25, including No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Duke, No. 4 Texas, No. 6 Tennessee, and No. 10 Arkansas. The opening night features a significant doubleheader, beginning with No. 10 Arkansas visiting North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by a matchup between No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Duke in Gainesville at 9:30 p.m. ET. Additionally, on December 1, No. 4 Texas will play against No. 12 Louisville at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.
On December 2, the action continues with No. 19 Kentucky facing No. 13 Virginia at 7:15 p.m. ET and No. 14 Alabama taking on No. 17 Miami at 9:15 p.m. ET.
For the Women's Challenge, notable participants include last season's NCAA Women's Final Four teams, No. 1 South Carolina and No. 8 Texas. A total of 11 teams from ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Women’s Basketball Top 25 will compete.
The women’s event will feature four Top-25 matchups including No. 10 LSU against No. 9 North Carolina at 7:15 p.m. ET on December 2 and a Top-10 clash between No. 7 Louisville and No. 8 Texas at 9:15 p.m. ET. On December 3, a premier doubleheader will kick off with No. 1 South Carolina visiting No. 3 Duke at 7 p.m., followed by No. 16 Notre Dame playing against No. 11 Vanderbilt at 9 p.m.
Commentator pairings for both the Men's and Women's Challenges will be announced as the event approaches.