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ESPN and SEC announce 2026-27 men’s college basketball schedule with more than 230 games across ESPN networks

Press Release

October 7, 2026

Author

Colin Bradley

Contact(s)

Colin Bradley, MCBB: Colin.Bradley@espn.com

Katie Callahan, SECN: Katie.Callahan@espn.com

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Summary

  • Season tips off Monday, Nov. 2, with No. 1 Florida in action against No. 18 Miami
  • Marquee early-season matchups include Arkansas-Virginia, Kansas-Kentucky, Michigan State-Tennessee, Kansas-Missouri, Louisville-Kentucky and Arkansas-Arizona
  • Schedule features 50 preseason Top 25 matchups, including 35 conference games between ranked opponents

ESPN and the Southeastern Conference have announced the tipoff times and network designations for the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season with more than 230 regular season games set to air across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, ESPNU and the ESPN App.

The schedule includes 50 preseason Top 25 matchups, according to ESPN.com’s Way Too Early rankings, highlighted by 35 conference games between ranked opponents.

The season tips off Monday, Nov. 2, with the marquee matchup of opening night taking place between No. 1 Florida and No. 18 Miami (6 p.m., ESPN2). The schedule features a deep slate of non-conference matchups throughout November and December before conference play begins Jan. 2.

2026-27 SEC on ESPN Men’s College Basketball Schedule Highlights:

  • Non-Conference Showdowns: The early-season schedule features SEC teams competing in some of the most anticipated non-conference showdowns in the country. Among the highlights, No. 12 Virginia vs. No. 10 Arkansas in the Capital One Showcase from Washington, D.C. (Nov. 8), No. 25 Kansas vs. No. 22 Kentucky in the Champions Classic (Nov. 10), No. 8 Michigan State at No. 7 Tennessee (Nov. 17), No. 25 Kansas vs. No. 14 Missouri in a historic rivalry showdown (Dec. 6) and No. 10 Arkansas vs. No. 6 Arizona (Dec. 19). In all, the SEC schedule feature at least 15 non-conference matchups between preseason Top 25 teams, including three alone on Dec. 12: No. 21 St. John’s vs. No. 16 Alabama, No. 15 Louisville at No. 22 Kentucky and No. 18 Miami at No. 4 Texas.
  • SEC/ACC Challenge: The two-day men’s challenge is headlined by No. 2 Duke at No. 1 Florida on Dec. 1 (9:30 p.m., ESPN). Other ranked matchups include No. 4 Texas at No. 15 Louisville (Dec. 1, 9 p.m., ESPN2), No. 22 Kentucky at No. 12 Virginia (Dec. 2, 7:15 p.m., ESPN) and No. 16 Alabama at No. 18 Miami (Dec. 2, 9:15 p.m., ESPN).
  • Conference Rivalries: Throughout the ’26-’27 conference season, ESPN will showcase marquee SEC rivalry games on a weekly basis. Intraconference action tips off on Saturday, Jan. 2 and runs through the final Saturday of the college basketball season on March 6. One of the league’s premier conference dates comes Feb. 13, when four preseason Top 25 matchups are scheduled: No. 14 Missouri at No. 1 Florida, No. 4 Texas at No. 24 Vanderbilt, No. 22 Kentucky at No. 7 Tennessee and No. 10 Arkansas at No. 16 Alabama. In all, conference play features 35 preseason Top 25 matchups.

SEC Network
SEC Network will televise 110+ men’s basketball games during the 2026-27 season, beginning with exhibitions featuring Alabama vs. Ole Miss on Oct. 15 and UCF at Kentucky on Oct. 28. Eight SEC teams ranked in ESPN.com’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 are slated for 45 appearances on SEC Network, including eight scheduled appearances for the top-ranked Florida Gators. SEC Network+ will stream an additional 90+ games throughout the season.

SEC on ESPN Networks 2026-27 Men’s College Basketball Schedule:

Date Time (ET) Game Where to Watch
Thu, Oct 15 9 p.m. Exhibition SEC Network
No. 16 Alabama at Ole Miss
Wed, Oct 28 6 p.m. Exhibition SEC Network
UCF at No. 22 Kentucky
Mon, Nov 2 6 p.m. Orion180 Tipoff Classic (Tampa, Fla.) ESPN2
No. 18 Miami vs. No. 1 Florida
  9 p.m. Chicago State at Texas SEC Network
Tue, Nov 3 6 p.m. Wofford at No. 7 Tennessee SEC Network
Thu, Nov 5 6 p.m. Wake Forest at No. 24 Vanderbilt ESPN2
Fri, Nov 6 7 p.m. James Madison at No. 22 Kentucky SEC Network
7 p.m. Saint Louis at No. 14 Missouri ESPNU
Sun, Nov 8 1 p.m. Capital Showcase (Washington, D.C.) ESPN
No. 10 Arkansas at No. 12 Virginia
Mon, Nov 9 7 p.m. Grambling State at No. 4 Texas SEC Network
9 p.m. Appalachian State at Auburn SEC Network
Tue, Nov 10 6 p.m. No. 1 Florida at Florida State ESPN2
9:30 p.m. Champions Classic (Chicago) ESPN
No. 25 Kansas vs. No. 22 Kentucky
Fri, Nov 13 7 p.m. Merrimack at No. 1 Florida SEC Network
7 p.m. Georgia at North Carolina ESPN2
9 p.m. Seton Hall at No. 16 Alabama SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 6 Arizona at Auburn ESPN2
Sun, Nov 15 3 p.m. Baylor vs. No. 4 Texas ESPN
Mon, Nov 16 7 p.m. Jacksonville at Georgia SEC Network
Tue, Nov 17 4:30 p.m. Players Era 8 – Quarterfinal #2 ESPN
No. 1 Florida vs. Notre Dame
9 p.m. No. 8 Michigan State at No. 7 Tennessee ESPN2
  12 a.m. West Virginia at Auburn ESPN
Wed, Nov 18 7 p.m. Elon at South Carolina SEC Network
9 p.m. Alcorn State at No. 14 Missouri SEC Network
Fri, Nov 20 8 p.m. Georgia at Georgia Tech ESPNU
Mon, Nov 23 2:30 p.m. Southwest Maui Invitational – Quarterfinal #1 ESPN2
Ole Miss at Clemson
Tue, Nov 24 3 p.m. Players Era 16 – Quarterfinal #1A ESPN
No. 7 Tennessee vs. Maryland
10 p.m. Players Era 16 – Quarterfinal #3B ESPN2
Baylor vs. No. 16 Alabama
Wed, Nov 25 2:30 p.m. Battle 4 Atlantis ESPN2
Texas A&M vs. Xavier
7:30 p.m. Battle 4 Atlantis ESPN2
Wake Forest at Mississippi State
Thu, Nov 26 11 a.m. ESPN Events Invitational – Magic Group ESPN
Georgia vs. Cincinnati
Fri, Nov 27 1:30 or 7:30 p.m. Battle 4 Atlantis
TBD vs. Mississippi State		 SEC Network
  5 p.m. Battle 4 Atlantis SEC Network
Marquette vs. Texas A&M
7 p.m. ESPN Events Invitational – Magic Group ESPN2
Georgia vs. UCF
9 p.m. Wichita State at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN2
Tue, Dec 1 5 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPN2
Boston College at Georgia
7 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge SEC Network
Pittsburgh at No. 14 Missouri
7 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPN2
Florida State at No. 7 Tennessee
7 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPNU
Auburn at Clemson
7:30 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPN
No. 10 Arkansas at North Carolina
9 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge SEC Network
Wake Forest at LSU
9 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPN2
No. 4 Texas at No. 15 Louisville
9 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPNU
Syracuse at Oklahoma
9:30 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPN
No. 2 Duke at No. 1 Florida
Wed, Dec 2 7:15 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPN
No. 22 Kentucky at No. 12 Virginia
9:15 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge SEC Network
Georgia Tech at Mississippi State
9:15 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPN
No. 16 Alabama at No. 18 Miami
9:15 p.m. SEC/ACC Challenge ESPNU
Stanford at Texas A&M
Sat, Dec 5 Noon Arizona State at Oklahoma ESPNU
Sun, Dec 6 Noon Vermont at No. 1 Florida SEC Network
4 p.m. Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas A&M SEC Network
5 p.m. No. 25 Kansas vs. No. 14 Missouri ESPN
7 p.m. NC State vs. No. 7 Tennessee ESPN
Mon, Dec 7 7 p.m. Alabama A&M at Mississippi State SEC Network
9 p.m. Alabama State at Oklahoma SEC Network
Tue, Dec 8 6:30 p.m. Jimmy V Classic (New York, N.Y.) ESPN
No. 17 Houston vs. No. 16 Alabama
7:30 p.m. Bryant at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN2
9 p.m. Oakland at No. 10 Arkansas SEC Network
9 p.m. Jimmy V Classic (New York, N.Y.) ESPN
Georgia vs. No. 2 Duke
Sat, Dec 12 Noon Hall of Fame Series (Orlando) ESPNU
Georgia Tech vs. No. 1 Florida
2 p.m. West Georgia at No. 24 Vanderbilt SEC Network
2:30 p.m. Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma ESPN2
3 p.m. Houston Hoopfest ESPNU
Florida State vs. Texas A&M
3:30 p.m. Battle in Birmingham ESPN
No. 21 St. John’s vs. No. 16 Alabama
4 p.m. No. 15 Louisville at No. 22 Kentucky ABC
5:30 p.m. Houston Hoopfest ESPN
No. 18 Miami vs. No. 4 Texas
7 p.m. Nebraska vs. No. 14 Missouri ESPNU
Sun, Dec 13 3:30 p.m. Houston Hoopfest ESPN
LSU vs. No. 17 Houston
Tue, Dec 15 9 p.m. Clemson at South Carolina ESPN2
Wed, Dec 16 6 p.m. West Georgia at Georgia SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at South Florida ESPN2
8 p.m. Morehead State at No. 7 Tennessee SEC Network
9 p.m. Memphis at No. 4 Texas ESPN2
Thu, Dec 17 7 p.m. Holy Cross at Texas A&M SEC Network
9 p.m. Jackson State at Oklahoma SEC Network
Fri, Dec 18 6 p.m. Grand Canyon at No. 1 Florida ESPNU
Sat, Dec 19 4 p.m. Wisconsin vs. Auburn ESPN
6:30 p.m. Basketball Hall of Fame Series (Phoenix) ESPN
No. 10 Arkansas vs. No. 6 Arizona
7 p.m. NC State vs. Ole Miss ESPNU
Sun, Dec 20 2 p.m. Gardner-Webb at Georgia SEC Network
4 p.m. Marist at No. 7 Tennessee SEC Network
7:30 p.m. No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Missouri ESPN2
Mon, Dec 21 7 p.m. Florida A&M at No. 1 Florida SEC Network
Tue, Dec 22 1 p.m. Sacred Heart at No. 22 Kentucky SEC Network
6 p.m. Louisiana at LSU SEC Network
8 p.m. Chicago State at No. 14 Missouri SEC Network
8:30 p.m. Oklahoma at SMU ESPNU
Mon, Dec 28 7 p.m. Gardner-Webb at No. 22 Kentucky SEC Network
Tue, Dec 29 6 p.m. LIU at No. 1 Florida SEC Network
8 p.m. Alcorn State at No. 24 Vanderbilt SEC Network
10 p.m. Samford at No. 16 Alabama SEC Network
Sat, Jan 2 Noon No. 22 Kentucky at Oklahoma ESPN/ESPN2
1 p.m. Georgia at Ole Miss SEC Network
2 p.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at No. 7 Tennessee ESPN/ESPN2
3:30 p.m. South Carolina at LSU SEC Network
4 p.m. No. 14 Missouri at No. 10 Arkansas ESPN/ESPN2
6 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at Mississippi State SEC Network
6 p.m. No. 1 Florida at No. 4 Texas ESPN/ESPN2
8:30 p.m. Auburn at Texas A&M SEC Network
Tue, Jan 5 7 p.m. LSU at No. 16 Alabama SEC Network
7 p.m. Ole Miss at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN/ESPN2
9 p.m. Texas A&M at No. 14 Missouri SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 4 Texas at Georgia ESPN/ESPNU
Wed, Jan 6 7 p.m. Mississippi State at No. 24 Vanderbilt SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at Auburn ESPN2/ESPNU
9 p.m. No. 10 Arkansas at South Carolina SEC Network
9 p.m. Oklahoma at No. 1 Florida ESPN2
Sat, Jan 9 11 a.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at No. 1 Florida ESPN
Noon No. 4 Texas at Ole Miss ESPNU
1 p.m. Georgia at Auburn SEC Network
2 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at No. 10 Arkansas ESPN2
3:30 p.m. Texas A&M at South Carolina SEC Network
4 p.m. No. 22 Kentucky at No. 14 Missouri ESPN2
6 p.m. Mississippi State at Oklahoma SEC Network
8:30 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at LSU SEC Network
Tue, Jan 12 7 p.m. Oklahoma at Georgia SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 10 Arkansas at Texas A&M ESPN2/ESPNU
9 p.m. South Carolina at No. 24 Vanderbilt SEC Network
9 p.m. Auburn at No. 4 Texas ESPN/ESPN2
Wed, Jan 13 7 p.m. LSU at No. 22 Kentucky SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 14 Missouri at No. 7 Tennessee ESPN2/ESPNU
9 p.m. Ole Miss at No. 16 Alabama SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 1 Florida at Mississippi State ESPN2/ESPNU
Sat, Jan 16 Noon Oklahoma at No. 4 Texas ESPN/ESPN2
Noon No. 10 Arkansas at No. 7 Tennessee ESPN/ESPN2
1 p.m. South Carolina at No. 14 Missouri SEC Network
2 p.m. No. 1 Florida at No. 16 Alabama ESPN/ESPN2
3:30 p.m. Mississippi State at Georgia SEC Network
4 p.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN/ESPN2
6 p.m. LSU at Texas A&M SEC Network
8:30 p.m. Ole Miss at Auburn SEC Network
Tue, Jan 19 7 p.m. No. 14 Missouri at Oklahoma ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU
  7 p.m. Auburn at No. 24 Vanderbilt SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 4 Texas at LSU SEC Network
9 p.m. Georgia at No. 10 Arkansas ESPNU
Wed, Jan 20 6 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at South Carolina SEC Network
7 p.m. Texas A&M at No. 1 Florida ESPN2/ESPNU
8:30 p.m. No. 22 Kentucky at Mississippi State SEC Network
Sat, Jan 23 1 p.m. South Carolina at Mississippi State SEC Network
2 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU
3:30 p.m. Auburn at LSU SEC Network
4 p.m. No. 1 Florida at Georgia ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU
6 p.m. Texas A&M at Ole Miss SEC Network
6 p.m. No. 10 Arkansas at No. 4 Texas ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU
8 p.m. No. 14 Missouri at No. 24 Vanderbilt ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU
8:30 p.m. Oklahoma at No. 16 Alabama SEC Network
Tue, Jan 26 7 p.m. Mississippi State at Auburn SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at Texas A&M ESPN/ESPN2
9 p.m. LSU at No. 10 Arkansas SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at No. 14 Missouri ESPN
Wed, Jan 27 8 p.m. No. 4 Texas at South Carolina SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at Ole Miss ESPN2/ESPNU
Sat, Jan 30 Noon No. 22 Kentucky at No. 4 Texas ESPN/ESPN2
1 p.m. South Carolina at Oklahoma SEC Network
2 p.m. Texas A&M at No. 24 Vanderbilt ESPN/ESPN2
3:30 p.m. LSU at Georgia SEC Network
6 or 6:30 p.m. Auburn at No. 16 Alabama ESPN/ESPN2
6 p.m. Ole Miss at No. 14 Missouri SEC Network
8:30 p.m. Mississippi State at No. 10 Arkansas SEC Network
8 or 8:30 p.m. No. 1 Florida at No. 7 Tennessee ESPN/ESPN2
Tue, Feb 2 7 p.m. South Carolina at No. 1 Florida SEC Network
9 p.m. Oklahoma at Texas A&M SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at LSU ESPNU
9 p.m. No. 22 Kentucky at Ole Miss ESPN/ESPN2
Wed, Feb 3 7 p.m. Georgia at No. 7 Tennessee ESPN2
8 p.m. No. 14 Missouri at Mississippi State SEC Network
Sat, Feb 6 Noon No. 4 Texas at No. 1 Florida ESPN
1 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at No. 14 Missouri SEC Network
2 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN/ESPN2
3:30 p.m. Oklahoma at Auburn SEC Network
4 p.m. Ole Miss at LSU ESPN2
6 p.m. Texas A&M at Mississippi State SEC Network
8 or 8:30 p.m. No. 10 Arkansas at No. 24 Vanderbilt ESPN
8:30 p.m. Georgia at South Carolina SEC Network
Tue, Feb 9 7 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at No. 4 Texas ESPN
7 p.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at Georgia SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 1 Florida at Auburn ESPN2
9 p.m. Ole Miss at No. 10 Arkansas SEC Network
Wed, Feb 10 7 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at Oklahoma ESPN2/ESPNU
8 p.m. South Carolina at No. 22 Kentucky SEC Network
Sat, Feb 13 Noon No. 14 Missouri at No. 1 Florida ESPN/ESPN2
1 p.m. LSU at Oklahoma SEC Network
2 p.m. No. 4 Texas at No. 24 Vanderbilt ESPN/ESPN2
3:30 p.m. Georgia at Texas A&M SEC Network
4 p.m. No. 22 Kentucky at No. 7 Tennessee ESPN
6 p.m. Auburn at South Carolina SEC Network
8 p.m. No. 10 Arkansas at No. 16 Alabama ESPN2
8:30 p.m. Mississippi State at Ole Miss SEC Network
Tue, Feb 16 7 p.m. Oklahoma at No. 14 Missouri SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 22 Kentucky at Georgia ESPN/ESPN2
9 p.m. Mississippi State at No. 16 Alabama SEC Network
9 p.m. Auburn at No. 10 Arkansas ESPN/ESPN2
Wed, Feb 17 7 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at Ole Miss ESPN2/ESPNU
8 p.m. No. 1 Florida at LSU SEC Network
9 p.m. Texas A&M at No. 4 Texas ESPN2/ESPNU
Sat, Feb 20 Noon No. 14 Missouri at Auburn ESPN
2 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at No. 7 Tennessee ESPN/ESPN2
3:30 p.m. Ole Miss at South Carolina SEC Network
4 or 4:30 p.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at Texas A&M ESPN2
6 or 6:30 p.m. No. 10 Arkansas at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN
6 p.m. LSU at Mississippi State SEC Network
8:30 p.m. Georgia at No. 1 Florida SEC Network
8:30 p.m. No. 4 Texas at Oklahoma ESPN
Tue, Feb 23 7 p.m. No. 10 Arkansas at No. 14 Missouri ESPN2/ESPNU
  7 p.m. South Carolina at No. 7 Tennessee SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at Texas A&M SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 22 Kentucky at No. 24 Vanderbilt ESPN/ESPN2
Wed, Feb 24 7 p.m. LSU at Auburn SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 4 Texas at Mississippi State ESPN2/ESPNU
9 p.m. Ole Miss at No. 1 Florida ESPN/ESPN2
9 p.m. Georgia at Oklahoma SEC Network
Sat, Feb 27 1 p.m. Mississippi State at South Carolina SEC Network
3 p.m. No. 1 Florida at No. 10 Arkansas ABC
3:30 p.m. Oklahoma at Ole Miss SEC Network
4 or 4:30 p.m. Auburn at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN/ESPN2
6 or 6:30 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at No. 4 Texas ESPN/ESPN2
6 p.m. No. 14 Missouri at Georgia SEC Network
8:30 p.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at No. 16 Alabama ESPN/ESPN2
8:30 p.m. Texas A&M at LSU SEC Network
Tue, Mar 2 6 p.m. Mississippi State at No. 7 Tennessee SEC Network
7 p.m. No. 14 Missouri at No. 4 Texas ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU
8 p.m. No. 1 Florida at South Carolina SEC Network
9 p.m. No. 10 Arkansas at LSU ESPNU
10 p.m. Auburn at Ole Miss SEC Network
Wed, Mar 3 7 p.m. Texas A&M at No. 22 Kentucky ESPN2/ESPNU
7 p.m. Georgia at No. 16 Alabama ESPN2/ESPNU
9 p.m. No. 24 Vanderbilt at Oklahoma ESPN2/ESPNU
Sat, Mar 6 Noon South Carolina at Georgia SEC Network
Noon Oklahoma at No. 10 Arkansas ESPN/ESPNU
2 p.m. LSU at No. 14 Missouri SEC Network
2 p.m. No. 7 Tennessee at No. 24 Vanderbilt ESPN/ESPNU
4 or 4:30 p.m. No. 22 Kentucky at No. 1 Florida ESPN
4 p.m. Ole Miss at Mississippi State SEC Network
6 p.m. No. 16 Alabama at Auburn SEC Network
8 p.m. No. 4 Texas at Texas A&M SEC Network

*Rankings based on ESPN.com’s Way Too Early Top 25