The ACC/SEC Challenge has become a marquee event of the college basketball calendar, and with next year’s matchups announced we can now get excited for what will be front page news for a couple of days as both leagues look to solidify themselves as the best in college basketball.
When this challenge was announced just a few years ago, the thought would be that the ACC would have the upper hand due to there being more programs that are traditionally basketball-forward than the SEC.
That has not been the case.
After a tie in year one with both teams winning 7 games, the SEC blasted the ACC 14-2 in 2024, and then got a narrow 9-7 win last year. This brings the all-time record to 30-16 in favor of the Gators, and the ACC would like to claw their way back.
One of the interesting aspects of the challenge is how games aren’t set based on past season performance or projected standing moving forward–the leagues are trying to make some marquee games. Now, I do think they could be a little bit more creative (who wouldn’t have loved to have seen LSU, now coached by Will Wade, having to go on the road to NC State), but they do reward programs that are projected to do well with elite matchups.
Let’s talk about those matchups and identify a few of the key ones. Next to each team will be their preseason T-Ranking (BartTorvik), one of the most historically accurate preseason prediction tools.
Duke (1) at Florida (2)
It was great to see the schedule makers give everyone the game they wanted with the likely preseason #1 going against likely preseason #2.
This game is also a reminder of why these challenges are so important, because they keep games on campus. We are now in a world where any marquee game between two elite programs is going to be on a neutral site in a far-off city, so it feels proper that at least in this instance we are seeing an elite non-conference game played on campus.
Texas (14) at Louisville (10)
Texas sneakily loaded up in the transfer portal, but maybe not as much as Louisville who may have spent more money on the open market than anyone. The Cardinals have fallen short of expectations the last two years under Pat Kelsey and they will have a ton of pressure to compete at the top of the sport this year.
Arkansas (20) at North Carolina (53)
No, this isn’t a typo–North Carolina is currently 53rd according to T-Rank. Their roster certainly looks better than that to me, but it certainly doesn’t look like anything close to a top-10 roster and it has North Carolina fans squirming. The Tar Heels just brought in long-time NBA coach Michael Malone and everyone is waiting to see how his style will translate, and this will be a big chance to see.
Alabama (19) at Miami (24)
Miami seemed to overachieve in year one of Jai Lucas’ tenure and it allowed them to fundraise to the point where their roster is much improved this year, so watch out.
Kentucky (23) at Virginia (8)
Kentucky fans have already started to get a bit restless when it comes to the Mark Pope experience and right now their roster does not look like the kind of group that could compete for an SEC title–though they still should be pretty good. However, pretty good doesn’t often do it for Wildcat fans. This could be a big challenge for Kentucky against a Virginia team that seemed underrated last year before suffering an early exit from the NCAA Tournament.
Florida State (67) at Tennessee (17)
I really like the roster moves that Tennessee made this offseason and this should be the most offensively talented Volunteers team in years. Florida State also made some decent moves, but they are operating with a mid-major plus budget in the ACC. This game could get ugly.
Auburn (33) at Clemson (35)
These are two teams that were a bit forgettable to me last year and I feel the same going into next season–they’ll be just good enough to not be notably bad, but I don’t think they’ll be able to break through and be a talking point. I do love the tight grouping of preseason ranking here, and this should be a tight game that could end up being fun.
Ole Miss (72) at Virginia Tech (32)
Virginia Tech is a tough job right now as they continually lose great players to bigger programs but Mike Young finds a way to keep bringing in mid-major dudes who can play. Last year had a pretty disastrous regular season stretch for the Rebels and truthfully I just don’t know what to expect this season, so this matchup is one I actually find intriguing.
Vanderbilt (22) at Notre Dame (83)
If there is one team that got the short end of the stick in scheduling, it was Vanderbilt. Often teams that are coming off a good season and have momentum will be placed in better games, and after the Commodores’ excellent season and return of Tyler Tanner I thought they might get a big time opponent, but instead get sent to Notre Dame.
Syracuse (59) at Oklahoma (40)
Syracuse just had a coaching change bringing in former Orange star Gerry McNamara who has just two years of head coaching experience at Siena, so I certainly have some interest in how he’ll do right away.
Pittsburgh (77) at Missouri (39)
I don’t have too many thoughts on this game other than advantage Missouri. The Pittsburgh job is one that is expected to open following this season.
Boston College (103) at Georgia (30)
Admittedly, I am extremely excited to see Boston College this year under new head coach Luke Murray, who was the assistant coach at UConn responsible for their offense. With so few NIL resources the Boston College roster is essentially that of a mid-major, but I am fascinated to see how they play under Coach Murray.
Wake Forest (92) at LSU (52)
Right now knowing what LSU’s roster should be ranked is impossible as most of their roster is European pros who may or may not be eligible. If a bunch of them are made eligible, they could be in the top 15. If most aren’t, this roster could be 102nd. Right now, who knows.
South Carolina (69) at NC State (36)
I said it before, and I’ll say it again–if these schedulers really wanted eyes on the event, they should have had Will Wade and LSU go on the road to NC State.
Stanford (100) at Texas A&M (48)
In year two of Bucky McMillan I’m really interested to see how the Aggies continue to implement their pressing system, and with more of an offseason to get a roster together than last year the chemistry could be at a higher level.
Georgia Tech (108) at Mississippi State (70th)
Getting Josh Hubbard back for his senior season was a massive accomplishment for Mississippi State and I bet he will be looking to put up some legendary numbers this season, and a mediocre looking Georgia Tech roster could be a perfect target.