Basketball Matchups Announced For First Games Of 2025-26 MAC-SBC Challenge
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Mid-American Conference (MAC) and Sun Belt Conference (SBC) announced the first matchups in the third installment of the MAC-SBC Challenge Tuesday afternoon (July 1). The MAC-SBC Challenge is a scheduling alliance in the sports of men's and women's basketball and will be played during the opening week of the 2025-26 season with 12 MAC men's basketball programs hosting 12 SBC teams, while the 12 MAC women's basketball programs will visit 12 SBC teams.
The BGSU men's basketball team will host Texas State in the first leg of this year's MAC-SBC Challenge. As for the women's team, they will travel to Louisiana for their first game. Both games are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3. Ticket information for BGSU basketball home games will be released at a later date.
On the men's side of the challenge, the Falcons will welcome the Texas State Bobcats to the Stroh Center for the first game and the first meeting all-time between the two programs. Texas State is coming off a .500 season both overall and in conference play, logging a 16-16 record on the season while going 9-9 in the Sun Belt. Last year, the Bobcats opened the season by hosting Eastern Michigan, capturing a 64-44 win. However, the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge placed Texas State in Mount Pleasant, Mich., falling to Central Michigan in an 85-70 final.
"Texas State will be a great game to open the season," said men's basketball head coach Todd Simon. "Once again the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge has provided us with a strong opponent. We look forward to packing the Stroh on opening night."
As for the women's portion of the challenge, Bowling Green will head south to Lafayette, La. to take on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns for the first meeting between the two in program history. Louisiana is coming off a 13-16 campaign a season ago while going 9-9 in the Sun Belt. They began their 2024-25 season in DeKalb, Ill., falling short to Northern Illinois in a 57-55 final. In the second challenge game, the Ragin' Cajuns had another heartbreaker, coming up short, 60-59, at home in overtime to Miami (OH).
"One of the great things about college athletics is that it allows you experiences that you may not experience otherwise," said women's basketball head coach Fred Chmiel. "A trip to Louisiana Lafayette to play a very competitive and well coached team is one of those experiences. We look forward to the challenge of traveling and playing the Ragin' Cajuns in Louisiana."
The BGSU men have a 2-2 record in the MAC-SBC Challenge, including a 2-0 record at the Stroh Center with an 81-75 win over Arkansas State in 2023-24 and a 67-53 victory over Coastal Carolina last season.
The Falcon women also are 2-2 in MAC-SBC Challenge games after winning both such contests last season. BG picked up a 71-67 home win over Southern Miss last November, before traveling to Arkansas State in February and coming away with a thrilling 75-73 victory.
The second MAC-SBC Challenge contest for each team will be announced later in the season with the matchups based on real-time NET rankings. The MAC women and Sun Belt men will host the second round of matchups.
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' men's basketball team on social media …
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMBB
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… and follow the BGSU women's basketball team at …
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUWBB
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Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics' and '@BGWBB'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'
… as well as on the web at BGSUFalcons.com.
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