The 2024 ACC/SEC Problem was an unmitigated catastrophe for the ACC, which limped to a 2-14 mark within the second 12 months of the problem. It portended the doom that was to return for the ACC, which had simply certainly one of its 4 groups survive the primary spherical of the NCAA Match.
In the meantime, the SEC used its sturdy problem outcomes — and a strong general non-conference efficiency — as a launching pad for a historic season. The league set a brand new file by complete variety of groups and proportion of groups within the NCAA Match when it positioned 14 of its 16 squads within the Huge Dance.
Florida, which throttled Virginia within the ACC/SEC Problem, went on to win the nationwide title, and the SEC additionally despatched Auburn to the Remaining 4. Can the ACC achieve some redemption this season?
Grading rosters of first-year coaches: Texas’ Sean Miller, Maryland’s Buzz Williams, others construct groups
David Cobb
The league is getting a little bit of a makeover for the 2025-26 season with Florida State, Virginia, NC State and Miami every hiring new coaches. Louisville, SMU, Stanford and Cal are every coming into Yr 2 below new coaches.
Whereas the Cardinal and Bears aren’t taking part within the 2025-26 ACC/SEC Problem, the ACC might be hoping the gathering of latest power in its teaching ranks may also help the convention flip issues round. With the matchups for this 12 months’s problem formally unveiled, we’re rating the video games and selecting a winner for all 16 of the ACC/SEC Problem showdowns.
ACC/SEC Problem schedule, early predictions
1. Florida at Duke
Duke will put its top-ranked highschool recruiting class to the check towards the reigning nationwide champions in a must-see showdown. On a impartial ground, the Gators and their returning convoy of bigs can be the play. At Cameron Indoor Stadium? Properly, that is a distinct story. The Blue Devils have sufficient veteran savvy to mix with the newbies for what would quantity to a crucial victory within the ACC’s efforts. Duke (+1300) and Florida (+1600) at present have the third- and fourth-best odds, respectively, to win the 2026 NCAA Match, based on FanDuel Sportsbook. Decide: Duke
2. Louisville at Arkansas
Three of the cycle’s top-20 portal prizes are donning Cardinal purple, as Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Isaac McKneely (Virginia) and Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State) enter to present Pat Kelsey an abundance of perimeter pop. This will even be an unimaginable battle of five-star freshmen guards, as Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) and Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville) sq. off. In the long run, the Cardinals appear to be the group with extra firepower. Decide: Louisville
3. North Carolina at Kentucky
Kentucky landed the nation’s No. 5 switch class and acquired main scorer Otega Oweh again after some draft flirtation. The Wildcats needs to be filthy defensively and never intimidated by one other small-ish UNC backcourt. The Tar Heels upgraded their frontcourt with Jarin Stevenson (Alabama) and Henri Veesaar (Arizona), nevertheless it’s onerous to think about them waltzing into Rupp Area and leaving with a win. Decide: Kentucky
4. NC State at Auburn
It will be tempting to choose NC State if this sport had been in Raleigh, however an Auburn group with star guard Tahaad Pettiford again and the nation’s No. 9 switch class ought to be capable to maintain serve at house. New Wolfpack coach Will Wade has constructed a high quality roster, although, and this sport might be electrical if NC State can grasp round. Decide: Auburn
5. Missouri at Notre Dame
Notre Dame brings again the extremely productive backcourt duo of Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry. They’re going to pair with a returning starter at middle in Kebba Njie, a McDonald’s All-American on the wing in Jalen Haralson and former mid-major double-double machine Carson Towt from Northern Arizona. That is a strong nucleus for third-year coach Micah Shrewsberry. It needs to be sufficient for the Combating Irish to defend their house ground towards a Missouri group that’s changing a major chunk of perimeter manufacturing. Decide: Notre Dame
6. Tennessee at Syracuse
Anticipate a much more aggressive sport than the 96-70 beatdown Tennessee laid on Syracuse in Knoxville final season. The Orange return prime scorer JJ Starling and promising sophomore ahead Donnie Freeman to pair with one of many portal’s prime level guards in Nait George from Georgia Tech. Will it’s sufficient to recover from the hump vs. a Volunteers squad that’s well-established as one of many SEC’s premier outfits? Not fairly. Decide: Tennessee
7. SMU at Vanderbilt
That is an intriguing battle of second-year coaches. SMU returns three starters from a group that narrowly missed the NCAA Match in coach Andy Enfield’s first season, and he is complemented that core with a trio of high quality transfers. If this sport had been at house, the Mustangs is perhaps the decide. However Vanderbilt has added inside heft and a few confirmed high-major firepower to its backcourt. Decide: Vanderbilt
8. Clemson at Alabama
Alabama misplaced Mark Sears however nonetheless has ample backcourt expertise, headlined by sophomore star Labaron Philon and a much-improved Aden Holoway. Clemson has established itself as one of many ACC’s steadiest applications below Brad Brownell. However that steadiness might be examined amid a major roster overhaul that leaves the Tigers relying closely on a switch class that doesn’t seem overwhelmingly proficient. Decide: Alabama
9. Virginia at Texas
This battle between first-year coaches will check Texas’ perimeter protection. The Cavaliers have loaded up on 3-point shooters below Ryan Odom, however the Longhorns needs to be as much as the duty. Veteran guards Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and Chendall Weaver are holdovers from the Rodney Terry period, and frontcourt additions Dailyn Swain (Xavier) and Matas Vokietaitis (FAU) are high-capacity defenders. Decide: Texas
10. Oklahoma at Wake Forest
Wake Forest is bringing in a pleasant portal haul that features a pair of fringe top-100 transfers in ex-Purdue guard Myles Colvin and ex-Valparaiso huge Cooper Schwieger. OU has some intriguing new expertise on the wing in transfers Tae Davis (Notre Dame) and Derrion Reid (Alabama). However the Demon Deacons have key rotation gamers Tre’Von Spillers and Juke Harris again to mitigate their affect. Decide: Wake Forest
11. Miami at Ole Miss
The addition of top-65 transfers Tre Donaldson (Michigan) and Malik Reneau (Indiana) offers first-year Miami coach Jai Lucas a robust baseline. However the ‘Canes will even be deploying some freshmen of their rotation as they enter a hostile surroundings to play an Ole Miss program on the rise below Chris Beard. Versatile ahead Malik Dia is the one notable returner from the Rebels’ Candy 16 run. However Beard ought to have his crew in adequate situation to face up to an upstart ACC foe. Decide: Ole Miss
12. Texas A&M at Pitt
First-year Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan did a masterful job of compiling an offensively gifted roster by which to launch “Buckyball” onto the high-major stage. Whether or not it results in fast success in a grueling SEC is TBD. However the Aggies ought to be capable to outlast a Pitt group that’s retooling amid the lack of star level guard Jaland Lowe to Kentucky. Decide: Texas A&M
13. Mississippi State at Georgia Tech
Star guard Josh Hubbard is the headliner of a transfer-heavy Mississippi State group. Georgia Tech counters with all-ACC huge man Baye Ndongo. The Bulldogs punch again up entrance with veteran shot blocker Quincy Ballard from Wichita State. This one is shut, however betting towards a star veteran guard like Hubbard isn’t sensible. Decide: Mississippi State
14. Georgia at Florida State
Florida State is rebooting below alum and veteran NBA assistant Luke Loucks with a roster that could be a contact gentle on inside heft. Georgia counters with a proficient frontcourt led by an ideal rim protector in Somto Cyril and a pair of versatile forwards in Dylan James and BYU switch Kanon Catchings. This might be a troublesome matchup for the ‘Noles. Decide: Georgia
15. LSU at Boston Faculty
LSU landed one of many portal’s prime level guards in Dedan Thomas Jr. from UNLV and has three top-100 transfers in complete as a part of the nation’s No. 16-ranked switch haul. It is a huge season for fourth-year coach Matt McMahon, and he has the products to ship on the highway towards a Boston Faculty group coming off a 12-19 season. Decide: LSU
16. Virginia Tech at South Carolina
Assuming that 6-7 Greek wing Neoklis Avdalas withdraws from the NBA Draft and attends Virginia Tech, the Hokies might be on the upswing following a 13-19 season. Virginia Tech additionally has 4 gamers again who began 17 or extra video games final season. South Carolina is heavy on transfers once more and can want double-boomerang guard Meechie Johnson Jr. to shoulder a heavy load. Decide: Virginia Tech