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Mar 20, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; The Stanford Cardinal mascot tree dances before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\nMar 20, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; The Stanford Cardinal mascot tree dances before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
ESPN has announced the participants of the 2026 SEC\/ACC Challenge for men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball and both Stanford programs will be participating. Stanford men\u2019s basketball did not participate last season.<\/p>\n
Via the ACC: ESPN Announces Matchups for 2026 SEC\/ACC Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Basketball Challenges<\/a><\/p>\n READ: Stanford Men\u2019s Basketball has ACC opponents unveiled for 2026-27 season<\/a><\/p>\n Stanford men\u2019s basketball will play at Texas A&M on Wednesday, December 2nd while Stanford women\u2019s basketball will play at Auburn on December 2nd as well. Texas A&M men\u2019s basketball is coming off a season in which they went 22-12 overall and 11-7 in the SEC, losing to Houston in the Round of 32 of the NCAA tournament. As for Auburn women\u2019s basketball, they went 15-17 overall and 3-13 in the SEC last season, missing postseason play.<\/p>\n For both Stanford teams, the chance to face an SEC opponent on the road will be a good test for them. It also helps from a scheduling standpoint as it gives them on paper a quality opponent in the non-conference portion of the schedule. If they were not playing in this event, they\u2019d have to go find somebody else to fill the gap. That takes some pressure off.<\/p>\n This is especially beneficial for the men\u2019s team since under Kyle Smith, they\u2019ve tended to schedule too light of a non-conference slate. You want to find the right balance between giving yourself some challenges while also not giving yourself too hard of a schedule. You want to find that sweet spot and facing Texas A&M should help them achieve that.<\/p>\n As for the women\u2019s team, facing Auburn could be a blessing given all the players they lost to the transfer portal. Kate Paye has her work cut out for her and to be given a more vulnerable SEC opponent, even with it being on the road, could end up being a good thing provided they can take advantage.<\/p>\n Looking ahead, it\u2019ll be interesting to see how the rest of the schedules shake out for both teams. Especially the non-conference portion since that part is harder to predict at this point.<\/p>\n Note: Cardinal Sports Report has you covered for all the latest news on Stanford athletics.\u00a0<\/p>\n This summer, try Cardinal Sports Report out and get your first year for 50% off!\u00a0<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss out on this great offer!<\/p>\n Sign up here: <\/a>https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/cardinal-sports-report\/join\/<\/a><\/p>\n CardinalSportsReport.com<\/a> on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), & Bluesky: @StanfordRivals<\/p>\n Ben Parker on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), YouTube, & Bluesky: @slamdunk406<\/p>\n
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