By Uncle Tom George
1/22/2024
The games will feature 12 Sun Belt Conference (SBC) men’s basketball programs hosting 12 Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams and 12 SBC women’s basketball teams visiting 12 MAC programs based on current NET rankings.
The November matchups occurred during the 2023-24 season’s opening week. Each MAC and Sun Belt team included in the MAC-SBC Challenge, currently scheduled to take place during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, is guaranteed one home and one away game each season.
Scheduling assistance is provided by Ordinal Sports Group. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests is considered in determining the matchups.
The MAC-SBC Challenge comes at the 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.
Key matchups in the men’s edition of the MAC-SBC Challenge include a showdown between James Madison (17-2, 5-2 SBC) and Akron (14-4, 6-0 MAC). The Dukes are currently listed No. 62 in the NET rankings, while the Zips are No. 85, and both teams are also ranked in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 with JMU ranked No. 7 while Akron sits at No. 14.
Additionally, a battle between App State (14-4, 5-1 SBC) and Toledo (11-7, 5-1 MAC) features the Mountaineers at No. 73 in the NET and the Rockets at No. 141. App State currently ranks No. 6 in the Mid-Major Top-25m while Toledo is receiving votes.
The MAC holds a slight, 7-5 lead following the 12 November matchups, and all February games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
On the women’s side, the Sun Belt holds a dominant 9-3 advantage heading into the second contest. In the debut matchups in November, Sun Belt squads defeated MAC foes by an average of 8.9 points per game while holding a 461-411 edge in rebounding.
James Madison (14-5, 6-1 SBC), which leads the Sun Belt with a 100 NET ranking, is slated to go up against Ball State (16-2, 6-0 MAC), the MAC’s top team, that’s currently 83 in the NET. Both squads are also ranked in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25, with the Dukes checking in at No. 15 while the Cardinals sit at No. 3.
The title contest will cap the MAC-SBC Challenge on Sunday, February 11 on CBS Sports Network, and the remaining 11 matchups will tip off on Saturday, Feb. 10 on ESPN+.
MAC-SBC Challenge Men’s Basketball Matchups
Saturday, Feb. 10
Toledo at App State
Ohio at Arkansas State
Buffalo at Georgia Southern
Miami (OH) at Georgia State
Akron at James Madison
Eastern Michigan at ULM
Central Michigan at Old Dominion
Northern Illinois at South Alabama
Western Michigan at Southern Miss
Ball State at Texas State
Kent State at Troy
Sunday, Feb. 11
Bowling Green at Louisiana
MAC-SBC Challenge Women’s Basketball Matchups
Saturday, Feb. 10
App State at Western Michigan
Arkansas State at Akron
Georgia Southern at Northern Illinois
Georgia State at Miami (OH)
Louisiana at Central Michigan
ULM at Toledo
Old Dominion at Kent State
South Alabama at Eastern Michigan
Southern Miss at Buffalo
Texas State at Ohio
Troy at Bowling Green
Sunday, Feb. 11
James Madison at Ball State
