-
Charlie Creme
The ACC had a troublesome first month of the 2025-26 ladies’s school basketball season.
Duke sits beneath .500. NC State misplaced to Rhode Island. Stanford simply misplaced to FGCU. Michigan blitzed Notre Dame by 39 factors. Virginia misplaced to UMBC. Virginia Tech received upset by James Madison.
The ACC’s listing of disappointing outcomes is for much longer than a typical November for what’s traditionally the most effective or second-best convention within the nation.
The SEC, however, has lived as much as its fame as top-of-the-line leagues within the nation. Six SEC groups are nonetheless unbeaten. Texas and South Carolina simply performed one another within the Gamers Period championship sport in Las Vegas — the sport of the yr thus far — with the Longhorns prevailing on a Rori Harmon jumper with 0.7 seconds left. Each stay on track to be No. 1 seeds. LSU simply set a file with eight straight 100-point video games to start out the season.
Whereas so many ACC groups have underachieved thus far, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi State have exceeded expectations within the SEC.
However the ACC has an opportunity to reverse that narrative with the arrival of this week’s ACC/SEC Problem. With 16 video games over Wednesday and Thursday, the 2 conferences sq. off for the third yr. The SEC received 10 of the 16 video games final season. What’s at stake on this yr’s occasion? Which groups have the most effective alternatives for résumé-building wins? This is a take a look at the 5 greatest matchups of this yr’s occasion and what we hope to be taught from them.
7 p.m. ET Wednesday, ESPN2
Is NC State going to show it round? The Wolfpack’s loss to the Rams on Nov. 23 was their first at dwelling in opposition to an unranked opponent in program historical past. NC State additionally fell at dwelling to TCU (Nov. 16) and misplaced on a impartial ground to USC (Nov. 9). Sure, the Wolfpack beat Tennessee of their season opener, however they’re simply 4-3 since. Oklahoma, in the meantime, ranks sixth within the nation in scoring at 92.1 factors per sport and has scored over 100 in its previous three, together with 109 factors in a win over Florida State on Sunday at a event in Fort Myers, Florida.
NC State’s résumé might use this win, however the Sooners’ offense would possibly show too tough a matchup for the Wolfpack, notably the dimensions of 6-foot-4 Raegan Beers, who’s averaging a double-double (16.9 PPG, 10.4 RPG).
ESPN declares tip occasions & nets for the third annual ACC/SEC Males’s & Girls’s Basketball Problem
🏀December 2-4
🏀Males’s Problem feat. 10 Approach-Too-Early High 25 groups
🏀Girls’s Problem feat. 12 Approach-Too-Early High 25 groupsParticulars: https://t.co/lavmkunKZ1 pic.twitter.com/nDryMdYWBe
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 24, 2025
7 p.m. ET Thursday, ESPN2
Simply how good is North Carolina? No two groups within the nation had higher Thanksgiving journeys than the Longhorns and Tar Heels. After beating UCLA and South Carolina in Las Vegas on the Gamers Period championship, Texas is at the very least the second-best group within the nation, with a great case to be labeled the most effective. North Carolina’s journey to Puerto Rico wasn’t as high-profile, however coach Courtney Banghart have to be proud of wins over potential NCAA event groups South Dakota State, Kansas State and Columbia on consecutive days.
UNC must be thought-about the brand new favourite to win the ACC. The Tar Heels’ solely loss this season is to UCLA in a sport during which they trailed by just one level at halftime.
7 p.m. ET Thursday, ESPN
How far is the ACC behind the SEC this season? Gamecocks coach Daybreak Staley stated that the most effective factor about shedding to Texas in Las Vegas was that she and her group now know precisely the areas that want enchancment — and people corrective measures can begin instantly. The Cardinals are up first as South Carolina seems to be to implement these adjustments. Louisville is the most effective group the Gamecocks will face earlier than a rematch with the Longhorns on Jan. 15.
South Carolina will face lots extra litmus-test-type video games within the SEC with a exceptional eight groups from the convention making the highest 16 in the latest Bracketology. Therein lies the largest distinction between the 2 conferences: The ACC had only one group internet hosting early-round NCAA event video games.
Louisville has already misplaced to 1 SEC group in Kentucky and one other elite group in UConn. Even with out pulling the upset, the Cardinals would present they’re making strides if they will rating greater than the 64.0-point common they produced in opposition to the Wildcats and Huskies.
9 p.m. ET Thursday, ESPN2
Is Notre Dame a top-16 group? This sport may be essentially the most compelling matchup of all the ACC/SEC Problem. Each groups underwent important personnel adjustments within the offseason and, for essentially the most half, have applied them effectively. The Irish and Rebels shall be in rivalry for a top-four seed come March — which means they get to host first- and second-round NCAA event video games — and this contest shall be pivotal in that pursuit.
Notre Dame lowered the sting of the aforementioned lopsided loss to Michigan a bit by beating USC. However the Irish want greater than a nonconference win over the Trojans, as a result of as soon as they get into convention play, beating ACC groups will not imply as a lot to the résumé. Ole Miss has performed effectively on its method to 7-0, however that is the one alternative to do one thing notable within the nonconference.
9 p.m. ET Thursday, ESPN
Is LSU’s offense actually this good? LSU has set a Division I file with eight consecutive video games with 100 or extra factors, however assessing the Tigers stays tough. The schedule is that dangerous. The mixed file of LSU’s eight opponents in opposition to Division I competitors is 16-36. 4 of these video games had been in opposition to groups with a NET rating of 250 or worse.
Nevertheless, scoring 100 factors is tough in opposition to anybody. The guard rotation of Flau’jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams, MiLaysia Fulwiley and ZaKiyah Johnson is flexible, explosive and productive. This can be a nice offense by any measure. LSU ranks first within the nation in factors per sport, subject purpose proportion, 3-point subject purpose proportion and offensive rebound charge.
Enjoying Duke will present the one true analysis till SEC play begins. The Blue Devils’ struggles are actual, particularly coming off the frustration of the Gamers Period during which they misplaced by 17 to South Carolina and 30 to UCLA. At 3-5, Duke has gone from the highest 10 to NCAA event query mark. No group wants a win within the ACC/SEC Problem greater than the Blue Devils.
