The Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference are gearing up for the 2024-25 MAC-SBC Challenge, and James Madison University is ready to take on the competition. The men’s basketball team, fresh from a 32-4 season and a trip to the NCAA Second Round, will host Ohio on November 4, while the women’s team will travel to Kent, Ohio, to face off against Kent State.
As I reflect on the upcoming challenge, I’m reminded of the excitement and energy that comes with the start of a new season. The MAC-SBC Challenge is a unique opportunity for teams from both conferences to come together and showcase their skills, and I’m thrilled to see how our Dukes will fare.
The James Madison men’s basketball team is looking to build on last season’s success.
The matchup between JMU and Ohio will be a first-time meeting between the two programs. The Bobcats finished last season with a 20-13 record, including an 88-70 win over Troy and a 100-87 loss to Arkansas State in the MAC-SBC Challenge. They ultimately fell in the semifinals of their conference tournament to the No. 2 seeded Akron Zips.
On the women’s side, Head Coach Sean O’Regan and the Dukes will travel to Kent State, marking only the second meeting between the two programs. The Dukes came away with a 55-48 neutral-site win over the Golden Flashes on November 30, 1996.
The James Madison women’s basketball team is looking to make a statement in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
The MAC-SBC Challenge is a scheduling alliance between the two conferences that will feature 12 SBC men’s basketball programs hosting 12 MAC teams, and the 12 Mid-American Conference women’s basketball teams traveling to 12 Sun Belt programs. The second matchup for each team will take place on February 8, 2025, with the matchups determined by real-time NET rankings.
As I look ahead to the challenge, I’m excited to see how our Dukes will stack up against the competition. With a strong season under their belts, I’m confident that they’ll come out swinging. Will you be cheering on the Dukes alongside me?
The stage is set for an epic battle between the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference.
The MAC-SBC Challenge is more than just a series of games - it’s a celebration of the spirit of competition and the joy of the game. So mark your calendars, Dukes fans, and get ready to cheer on our teams as they take on the best of the MAC.
Go Dukes!
