Early‑Season Battle on the Hardwood
The University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Warhawks will open the 2026‑27 men’s and women’s basketball seasons in the newly minted MAC‑SBC Challenge. On November 2, the men’s squad will host Central Michigan at the Fant-Ewing Center, while the women’s team travels to Ohio to face the Bobcats.
The challenge was recommended by the Sun Belt Conference’s strategic planning committees as a way to give both programs a strong early‑season test and to increase visibility for the conference. Each contest will be carried live on an ESPN platform, bringing the games to a national audience.
While the full 2026‑27 schedules remain to be released later this year, the MAC‑SBC Challenge marks the first scheduled events under the new partnership, setting the tone for what coaches hope will be a breakout season on the hardwood.