NEW ORLEANS – The 2025-26 men’s basketball season tips off Monday, November 3 with the third year of the MAC-SBC Challenge, as 13 Sun Belt Conference programs visit Mid-American Conference opponents. All 13 games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
Among Monday’s key matchups, Sun Belt preseason favorite James Madison travels to reigning MAC champion and preseason favorite Akron, as reigning Sun Belt champion Troy heads to MAC preseason No. 3 choice Kent State Old Dominion – which won three games in last year’s conference tournament and returns three starters – makes a trip to MAC runner-up Miami (Ohio) who was picked to finish second in the conference this season.