A New Chapter in Women's College Basketball
On November 2, 2026, the Chippewas will welcome the Lady Monarchs to the McGuirk Alumni Center in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, for the inaugural contest of the 2026‑27 Mid‑American Conference‑Sun Belt Conference Challenge.
The matchup is part of a broader agreement that pits the top NET‑ranked teams from each league against one another, guaranteeing each program a home and an away game each season.
Central Michigan finished fourth in the MAC last season, while Old Dominion placed sixth in the Sun Belt, setting the stage for a competitive opening round that marks the first meeting between the two programs.
All games in the challenge will be streamed on ESPN platforms, continuing a partnership that began with the series renewal in June 2026 for both women's and men's teams.
The scheduling framework was coordinated by Ordinal Sports Group, a firm that specializes in aligning conference calendars, ensuring that the series can be sustained year after year.
With a 1‑3 record in previous MAC‑SBC Challenge games, the Chippewas hope to improve their standing as they embark on this new chapter, while the Lady Monarchs look to build on their recent momentum.
The upcoming game not only highlights the growing collaboration between the Mid‑American and Sun Belt conferences, but also underscores the increasing visibility of women's basketball on national television.