NEW ORLEANS – The MAC-SBC Challenge – a scheduling alliance between the Mid-American Conference and Sun Belt Conference in men’s and women’s basketball – has been extended two additional years through the 2026-27 season in a joint announcement by the two leagues Monday afternoon.
With UMass set to join the MAC ahead of the 2025-26 season, the 13 MAC men’s and women’s basketball teams will face off against 13 Sun Belt teams in a pair of contests in 2025-26 and 2026-27 with each game being carried on an ESPN platform.
In 2023-24, the Sun Belt captured the inaugural
MAC-SBC Challenge on the men’s and women’s sides, respectively. The men’s teams compiled 15 wins across the 24 total matchups, including 10 in the February 2024 home contests, while the women’s teams posted 14 wins in the 24 contests, including nine during the November 2023 tilts.
“The MAC-SBC Challenge annually provides our men’s and women’s basketball teams with two quality non-conference games against peer institutions,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. “The NET-driven matchups create engaging games for our membership and fans against comparable competition.”
“The MAC-SBC Challenge series presents an excellent opportunity to compete against opponents with comparable strengths and to secure additional home games,” said MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. “This initiative aligns with our tailored scheduling approach, and we enjoy this collaborative effort with the Sun Belt Conference.”
Scheduling assistance will continue to be provided by Ordinal Sports Group. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests will be considered in determining the matchups.
The MAC-SBC Challenge is consistent with a recommendation of the Sun Belt’s strategic planning committees for men’s and women’s basketball, as the conference looks to return to its roots and bolster its success on the hardwood.
The first round of the
2024-25 MAC-SBC Challenge will tip off on the opening night of the regular season Monday, November 4, with the Sun Belt men’s teams hosting the MAC, while the MAC women’s teams host the Sun Belt. The Sun Belt women will host the MAC, and the MAC men will host the Sun Belt, in the second round on Saturday, February 8.
Key matchups in the first MAC-SBC Challenge of the 2024-25 season on the men’s side include reigning Sun Belt tournament champion James Madison hosting 2024-25 MAC preseason favorite Ohio, while reigning MAC tournament champion Akron visits Sun Belt tournament runner-up and 2024-25 preseason favorite Arkansas State.
On the women’s side, Sun Belt tournament runner-up and 2024-25 preseason favorite James Madison travels to reigning MAC tournament champion Kent State. Old Dominion, picked No. 3 in the Sun Belt preseason coaches’ poll, makes the trip to MAC preseason favorite Ball State.
2024-25
Nov. 4 – Sun Belt Women at MAC Women
Nov. 4 – MAC Men at Sun Belt Men
Feb. 8 – MAC Women at Sun Belt Women
Feb. 8 – Sun Belt Men at MAC Men
2025-26
Nov. 3 – MAC Women at Sun Belt Women
Nov. 3 – Sun Belt Men MAC Men
Feb. 7 – Sun Belt Women at MAC Women
Feb. 7 – MAC Men at Sun Belt Men
2026-27
Nov. 2 – Sun Belt Women at MAC Women
Nov. 2 – MAC Men at Sun Belt Men
Feb. 6 – MAC Women at Sun Belt Women
Feb. 6 – Sun Belt Men at MAC Men