2025 ACC-SEC Challenge Preview - Wednesday Games

We are into year three of the ACC-SEC Challenge. This event, partially created by ESPN who owns the television rights, replaced the ACC-Big Ten Challenge and Big 12/SEC Challenge which each came to an end in 2022. The two leagues split the first series seven to seven in 2023. However, in 2024, it was a blood bath in favor of the Southeastern Conference. The SEC went 14-2 last season. Oddly enough, it was, at the time, #2 Auburn and #4 Kentucky who lost at Duke and Clemson respectively. This year the SEC is down a bit from its all-time great status of a season ago while the ACC has certainly taken a step up. SMU and Stanford will sit out to provide an even 16 matchups between the two conferences.

Entering week five of the season, the ACC has three teams ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll. However, two of those teams are ranked higher than any SEC program. Duke checks in at #4 this week followed by Louisville at #6 and North Carolina at #16. As for the SEC, they feature seven Top 25 teams. #12 Alabama, #13 Tennessee, #15 Florida, #17 Vanderbilt, #18 Kentucky, #20 Auburn, and #25 Arkansas will all be in action across Tuesday and Wednesday evening. This season’s marquee matchups include the defending national champion Florida Gators at Cameron Indoor Stadium to take on Duke, North Carolina traveling to Rupp Arena to face Kentucky, and Louisville heading to Bud Walton Arena to battle Arkansas.

We have sifted through all 16 matchups to provide digestible previews for one of college basketball’s signature events. Whether you are a fan of one of the teams or just a consumer of the sport in general this will be your one-stop shop for the 2025 ACC-SEC Challenge. Let’s dive on in and take a closer look at the games.

***The ACC leads 6-3 over the SEC following Tuesday night’s games.***

Clemson @ #12 Alabama

When/Where to Watch: 7:00 p.m. ET ESPNU

KenPom Prediction: 86-78

KSR Prediction: Alabama 90-75

Alabama Player to Watch: Labaron Philon – 20.6 points, 5.7 assists per game

Clemson Player to Watch: Carter Welling – 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds per game

(Kind of) Twitter-Length Preview: Alabama, as has become the custom under Coach Nate Oats, is looking to play fast and shoot a bunch of three-point shots. Conversely, Clemson prefers a much slower pace. The Tigers have scored over 90 points in back-to-back games, but it is hard to imagine them having the firepower necessary to keep up with Labaron Philon and company.

#6 Louisville @ #25 Arkansas

When/Where to Watch: 7:00 p.m. ET ESPN

KenPom Prediction: Louisville 84-81

KSR Prediction: Arkansas 76-72

Arkansas Player to Watch: Darius Acuff Jr. – 17.4 points, 4.4 assists per game

Louisville Player to Watch: Mikel Brown Jr. – 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists per game

(Kind of) Twitter-Length Preview: This will be the marquee game of the Wednesday night slate. Two of the most electric freshmen guards in the country will battle it out in this one as Darius Acuff Jr. faces Mikel Brown Jr. The Cardinals probably have a deeper pool of talent, at least in the backcourt, but Arkansas matches up well in terms of length and athleticism. Expect a really fun battle at Bud Walton Arena.

LSU @ Boston College

When/Where to Watch: 7:00 p.m. ET ACC Network

KenPom Prediction: LSU 76-67

KSR Prediction: LSU 90-73

Boston College Player to Watch: Donald Hand Jr. – 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds per game

LSU Player to Watch: Dedan Thomas Jr. – 14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists per game

(Kind of) Twitter-Length Preview: Boston College is one of the weakest power conference teams in the country this season as proven by their four losses to mid-major teams already. Meanwhile, LSU has been impressive getting off to a 7-0 start and climbing into the Top 25 of KenPom. The Tigers’ schedule has been very weak, but their offensive firepower should carry them to another victory.

Mississippi State @ Georgia Tech

When/Where to Watch: 9:00 p.m. ET ACC Network

KenPom Prediction: Mississippi State 74-73

KSR Prediction: Mississippi State 78-71

Georgia Tech Player to Watch: Baye Ndongo – 11.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blocks per game

Mississippi State Player to Watch: Josh Hubbard – 23.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists per game

(Kind of) Twitter-Length Preview: It has been tough sledding for Mississippi State so far this season. The Bulldogs are the only sub-.500 team in the ACC-SEC Challenge. However, they also feature one of the most electric offensive players in the country in Josh Hubbard. Georgia Tech’s offense is really struggling which will make it hard to keep up with Hubbard and the Bulldogs.

NC State @ #20 Auburn

When/Where to Watch: 9:00 p.m. ET ESPN

KenPom Prediction: Auburn 85-80

KSR Prediction: Auburn 91-86

Auburn Player to Watch: Tahaad Pettiford – 15.1 points, 3.0 assists per game

NC State Player to Watch: Darrion Williams – 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game

(Kind of) Twitter-Length Preview: Watching the firepower of Tahaad Pettiford and Keyshawn Hall versus Darrion Williams should be enough to get you to tune into this matchup. Those are three of the best offensive players in the country. Auburn bounced back from a blowout at the hands of Michigan with an impressive win over St. John’s. They are the more battle-tested team at this point.

SMU @ #17 Vanderbilt

When/Where to Watch: 9:00 p.m. ET SEC Network

KenPom Prediction: Vanderbilt 88-78

KSR Prediction: Vanderbilt 90-87

SMU Player to Watch: Boopie Miller – 21.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.6 steals per game

Vanderbilt Player to Watch: Duke Miles – 18.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.5 steals per game

(Kind of) Twitter-Length Preview: This has, unexpectedly, turned into a must-watch game. Both teams are 8-0 with fun, up-tempo offenses. Vanderbilt has the fourth best offense in the country, per KenPom. SMU is coming off of an overtime victory at Mississippi State proving they can go on the road in the SEC and win. The Boopie Miller and Duke Miles backcourt battle will be fun to watch.

Virginia @ Texas

When/Where to Watch: 9:00 p.m. ET ESPNU

KenPom Prediction: Texas 79-75

KSR Prediction: Texas 78-77

Texas Player to Watch: Dailyn Swain – 16.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game

Virginia Player to Watch: Thijs DeRidder – 18.0 points, 5.6 rebounds per game

(Kind of) Twitter-Length Preview: Virginia Basketball looks different under Coach Ryan Odom. The pace is still slow, but his team has a Top 25 offense that shoots a lot of three-point shots and leads the country in offensive rebounding. Their size and athleticism translates to the defensive end as well where they rank second in block rate and 11th in defensive two-point percentage. However, Texas is even bigger and equally athletic. Jordan Pope and Tramon Mark will be the difference in this one.