Arkansas-Louisville set for Dec. 3 in SEC/ACC Challenge on ESPN

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The SEC and ESPN have confirmed Arkansas will host Louisville in the 2025 SEC/ACC Challenge on Wednesday, Dec. 3, tipping off at 6 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

The game will air nationally on ESPN, which will carry several ACC/SEC Challenge matchups across its networks.

The Razorbacks enter the contest with a 2–0 record in prior appearances in the Challenge (wins over Miami and Duke), while Louisville is 0–1, having lost to Ole Miss in its only previous participation.

Series history, recent developments

Arkansas and Louisville last faced off in the Maui Invitational during the 2022–23 season, where the Razorbacks won convincingly, 80–54.

That matchup came amid a down year for Louisville, which has undergone program changes since then.

One twist was after that season, Arkansas acquired Louisville point guard El Ellis, who played for the Hogs in Eric Musselman’s final season and averaged 11 points and 2.6 assists per game.

Louisville’s struggles have in part led to coaching transitions.

In 2023–24, the Cardinals posted an 8–24 season and parted ways with head coach Kenny Payne. Meanwhile, Arkansas hired John Calipari away from Kentucky and brought Payne onto his staff.

In the broader ACC/SEC Challenge context, the SEC dipped heavily into its win column in recent years, with a 14–2 showing in the 2024 edition.

ESPN’s official schedule designates the Arkansas–Louisville game as part of a doubleheader on Dec. 3, followed by NC State at Auburn.

Arkansas’ nonconference slate and build-up

Under the second season of Calipari’s leadership, Arkansas has aimed to assemble a challenging non-conference schedule.

The Razorbacks will face notable opponents like Duke (in Chicago), Houston, Texas Tech, and a road test at Michigan State. The Arkansas nonconference schedule also includes home dates for Central Arkansas, Samford, Winthrop, Jackson State, Queens, and James Madison.

The Dec. 3 showdown vs. Louisville fits into the heart of a stacked December. Arkansas also plays Fresno State at Simmons Bank Arena on Dec. 6, Texas Tech in Dallas on Dec. 13, and Houston in Newark on Dec. 20.

The Razorbacks open their season Nov. 3 at Bud Walton against Southern.

Stakes, expectations, and broader picture

This game presents a test of Arkansas’ consistency in nonconference play and the strength of its rotation under Calipari.

Louisville, meanwhile, seeks momentum under a new regime and a measure of program redemption.

Louisville is ranked No. 7 vs. Arkansas at No. 11 in ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early” top 25 listings for the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Arkansas is 2–0 in the SEC/ACC Challenge historically. The stakes extend beyond rival bragging rights with a big showing enhancing resume credentials ahead of the SEC schedule.

Louisville last appeared in this Challenge in 2024, falling to Ole Miss.

In SEC vs. ACC games beyond this challenge, Louisville is 0–5 in recent contests, including losses to Texas, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Oklahoma.

Looking ahead to tipoff night

The 6 p.m. start gives Arkansas a relatively evening time slot for its fans locally but aligns with ESPN’s national broadcast window. The game will also stream via the ESPN app. Commentator pairings are expected to be released later by ESPN as tipoff approaches.

Key Takeaways

• The Arkansas–Louisville game will tip off at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 at Bud Walton Arena and air on ESPN.

• Arkansas holds a 2–0 record in prior SEC/ACC Challenges; Louisville is 0–1 in its only previous appearance.

• This contest is part of a high-profile nonconference schedule for Arkansas, which includes games vs. Duke, Houston, and Texas Tech.