University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana to Visit Northern Illinois in Round 2 of MAC-SBC Challenge
1/13/2025 12:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Cajuns face the Huskies for the first time ever
LAFAYETTE -Â The Louisiana men's basketball team will face Northern Illinois in round two of the MAC-SBC Challenge on February 8 in DeKalb, Illinois. It'll be the first meeting between the programs.
Louisiana looks to split their series with the MAC after falling to Kent State in the season's opening game. The Ragin' Cajuns split last season, winning the second game of the challenge against Bowling Green.
Northern Illinois is 4-11 this season but 4-2 at home. The Huskies are 1-2 in the MAC-SBC Challenge after beating App State to start the event last season before losing on the road to South Alabama last year and Georgia Southern this year.
The MAC-SBC Challenge was formed at the recommendation of the Sun Belt's strategic planning committees for men's and women's basketball. Scheduling assistance is provided by Ordinal Sports Group. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests is considered in determining the matchups.
On the 2024-25 season's opening night, Sun Belt men's basketball programs collected eight home wins over MAC opponents in first round matchups. The Sun Belt can clinch back-to-back titles over the MAC with just five road victories.
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The Sun Belt captured the inaugural MAC-SBC Challenge titles on the men's and women's fronts, respectively, in 2023-24. The men's teams compiled 15 wins across the 24 total matchups, including 10 in the February 2024 home contests, while the women's teams posted 14 wins in the 24 contests, including nine during the November 2023 tilts.
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In a joint announcement by the leagues on Nov. 4, the MAC-SBC Challenge was extended two additional years through the 2026-27 season.
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MAC-SBC Challenge Men's Basketball Matchups
App State at Ohio
Arkansas State at Kent State
Coastal Carolina at Bowling Green
Georgia Southern at Western Michigan
Georgia State at Buffalo
James Madison at Toledo
Louisiana at Northern Illinois
Old Dominion at Eastern Michigan
South Alabama at Akron
Southern Miss at Ball State
Texas State at Central Michigan
Troy at Miami (Ohio)
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).
Louisiana looks to split their series with the MAC after falling to Kent State in the season's opening game. The Ragin' Cajuns split last season, winning the second game of the challenge against Bowling Green.
Northern Illinois is 4-11 this season but 4-2 at home. The Huskies are 1-2 in the MAC-SBC Challenge after beating App State to start the event last season before losing on the road to South Alabama last year and Georgia Southern this year.
The MAC-SBC Challenge was formed at the recommendation of the Sun Belt's strategic planning committees for men's and women's basketball. Scheduling assistance is provided by Ordinal Sports Group. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests is considered in determining the matchups.
On the 2024-25 season's opening night, Sun Belt men's basketball programs collected eight home wins over MAC opponents in first round matchups. The Sun Belt can clinch back-to-back titles over the MAC with just five road victories.
Â
The Sun Belt captured the inaugural MAC-SBC Challenge titles on the men's and women's fronts, respectively, in 2023-24. The men's teams compiled 15 wins across the 24 total matchups, including 10 in the February 2024 home contests, while the women's teams posted 14 wins in the 24 contests, including nine during the November 2023 tilts.
Â
In a joint announcement by the leagues on Nov. 4, the MAC-SBC Challenge was extended two additional years through the 2026-27 season.
Â
MAC-SBC Challenge Men's Basketball Matchups
App State at Ohio
Arkansas State at Kent State
Coastal Carolina at Bowling Green
Georgia Southern at Western Michigan
Georgia State at Buffalo
James Madison at Toledo
Louisiana at Northern Illinois
Old Dominion at Eastern Michigan
South Alabama at Akron
Southern Miss at Ball State
Texas State at Central Michigan
Troy at Miami (Ohio)
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).
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