Mid‑American and Sun Belt Extend Basketball Challenge
The Mid-American Conference and the Sun Belt Conference announced this week that they have extended their collaborative basketball challenge through the 2028‑29 season, cementing a partnership that has become a staple of early‑season competition for both men’s and women’s programs.
Under the renewed agreement, each participating school will host one home game and travel to play one away game each year, creating a balanced slate that alternates venues and opponents.
Scheduling Details
The schedule for the upcoming season already features specific dates, including the Ball State women’s home opener on November 2 against a Sun Belt opponent, while the Ball State men will begin their campaign on the road the same day.
Later in the year, the Ball State men are slated to host a contest at Worthen Arena on February 6, and the women will travel for their second matchup, illustrating the rotating home‑and‑away format.
Future editions of the MAC‑SBC Challenge are outlined for the 2026‑27, 2027‑28 and 2028‑29 seasons, with each year’s slate of matchups planned to give teams a consistent rhythm of home and road games.
Conference officials say the extension reflects a shared commitment to competitive balance and regional exposure, offering fans a reliable calendar of rivalry games while providing teams with valuable non‑conference experience.