The MAC-SBC Challenge, a collaborative scheduling initiative between the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and Sun Belt Conference in men's and women's basketball, has been extended for two more years, now continuing through the 2026-27 season. This announcement was made by both leagues on Monday afternoon. With UMass joining the MAC before the 2025-26 season, the 13 men's and women's basketball teams from the MAC will compete against 13 teams from the Sun Belt in two contests each during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons. All games will be broadcast on an ESPN platform.

In the initial 2023-24 season, the Sun Belt emerged victorious in the MAC-SBC Challenge for both men's and women's basketball. The men's teams secured 15 wins out of 24 matchups, including 10 during February 2024 home games. The women's teams achieved 14 wins in 24 games, with nine victories in November 2023.

Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill described the challenge as providing valuable non-conference games against peer institutions.

“The MAC-SBC Challenge annually provides our men’s and women’s basketball teams with two quality non-conference games against peer institutions,” said Gill. “The NET-driven matchups create engaging games for our membership and fans against comparable competition.”

MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher highlighted the opportunity to compete against similarly strong opponents and gain additional home games.

“The MAC-SBC Challenge series presents an excellent opportunity to compete against opponents with comparable strengths and to secure additional home games,” said Steinbrecher. “This initiative aligns with our tailored scheduling approach, and we enjoy this collaborative effort with the Sun Belt Conference.”

Ordinal Sports Group will continue to assist with scheduling, considering NET data, geography, and past contest frequency. The MAC-SBC Challenge aligns with the strategic plans of the Sun Belt to enhance success in basketball. The 2024-25 season's first round will commence on the opening night, November 4, with Sun Belt men's teams hosting the MAC and MAC women's teams hosting the Sun Belt. The second round will occur on February 8, with the Sun Belt women hosting the MAC and MAC men hosting the Sun Belt.

Notable matchups for the 2024-25 season include Sun Belt tournament champion James Madison hosting MAC preseason favorite Ohio, and MAC tournament champion Akron visiting Arkansas State. On the women's side, Sun Belt runner-up James Madison will travel to MAC champion Kent State, and Old Dominion will face Ball State.

The schedule for the upcoming seasons is as follows:

2024-25

November 4: Sun Belt Women at MAC Women; MAC Men at Sun Belt Men

February 8: MAC Women at Sun Belt Women; Sun Belt Men at MAC Men

2025-26

November 3: MAC Women at Sun Belt Women; Sun Belt Men at MAC Men

February 7: Sun Belt Women at MAC Women; MAC Men at Sun Belt Men

2026-27

November 2: Sun Belt Women at MAC Women; MAC Men at Sun Belt Men

February 6: MAC Women at Sun Belt Women; Sun Belt Men at MAC Men