The Mid-American Conference and the Sun Belt Conference have jointly revealed the first‑round pairings for the 2026‑27 MAC‑SBC Challenge, setting the stage for a November 2 showdown that will pit several Sun Belt programs against their Mid‑American counterparts.
A Milestone Matchup for the Red Wolves
Arkansas State’s men’s basketball team will open the tournament at home, welcoming Toledo into the First National Bank Arena, while the Red Wolves women’s squad hits the road to face Ball State at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana.
This meeting marks the fifth encounter between the A‑State men and Toledo, a series that last intersected in the 2014‑15 season, adding a layer of historic intrigue to the upcoming contest.
The women’s side will contest its third showdown with the Cardinals, a milestone that also represents the first time the Red Wolves will travel to Muncie, a city that has become a focal point for the program’s recent surge.
Last season the Red Wolves women posted a program‑record 27 victories and advanced to the WNIT Final Four, underscoring the momentum the team carries into the new challenge.
The second round of the MAC‑SBC Challenge is slated for February, with the MAC’s men’s teams and the Sun Belt’s women’s teams serving as hosts; the specific pairings will be finalized in January.
Beyond the schedule, the announcements highlight the growing partnership between the two conferences, a collaboration that aims to elevate mid‑major basketball exposure across the nation.