The 2026 Jimmy V Classic will light up Madison Square Garden on December 8, bringing together Duke, Georgia, Houston and Alabama in a showcase of college basketball talent that draws fans from across the country.
Duke enters the event with a remarkable record, having captured four of the Classic’s previous editions, the most of any program since the series began in 1995, and will look to add another victory to that legacy.
Their history with Georgia stretches back to a 1932 meeting, making this the sixth overall matchup and adding a narrative layer to the upcoming clash that fans of both programs have long anticipated.
A Legacy of Hope
The Classic is more than a game; it honors the legacy of Jim Valvano, the late NC State coach whose vision birthed the V Foundation for Cancer Research, an organization that has raised over $500 million for cancer research across North America.
Since its inception in 1993, the foundation has directed every dollar toward scientific programs, ensuring that contributions translate directly into breakthroughs that improve patient outcomes.
All direct donations to the V Foundation support cancer research and related programs exclusively, meaning that each contribution fuels new studies, clinical trials and innovative therapies.
Beyond the hardwood, the event serves as a rallying point for athletes, coaches and fans who share a common goal: advancing research that can one day eliminate the disease that affects millions worldwide.