The ACC/SEC Challenge has been a positive experience for the Razorbacks. In 2023, Arkansas' best game of the season came against Duke in Bud Walton Arena. And last season, the Hogs snuck past a down Miami team. And on Thursday, Arkansas' opponent for the third edition of the challenge was released.
Arkansas draws Louisville for the 2025-26 ACC/SEC Challenge
The Louisville Cardinals will travel to Fayetteville for the two programs' ninth meeting, dating back to the first game during the 1978-79 season. All-time, Arkansas and Louisville are all tied up with four games a piece, with Arkansas winning the latest 80-54 during the Maui Invitational in 2022.
Perhaps the most memorable match between the Hogs and the Cardinals was the second meeting during the 1981 NCAA Tournament to move on to the Regional Semifinals. With less than a second on the clock, Arkansas guard U.S. Reed threw up a desperation shot from half-court and sank it at the buzzer.
Last season, the Cardinals were one of the better teams in the ACC, which had a historically bad season as a conference despite containing a Final Four team in Duke. Louisville finished second in the ACC behind the Blue Devils and barely finished ahead of Clemson based on head-to-head competition.
Looking at where the programs are, it should be a good game, but there are elements of a rivalry between Louisville and head coach John Calipari. As the leader of the Wildcats, Calipari played the Cardinals nearly every season for over a decade in one of the more underappreciated rivalries in college basketball.
Women's ACC/SEC Challenge
The Women's basketball challenge matchups were also announced Thursday, with Arkansas drawing SMU. With shades of the Southwest Conference days, the Razorbacks and Mustangs will play for only the third time in history. The Hogs lead the series 2-0 and look to extend that lead against a team that won only 10 games last season.