University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt To Play At Missouri In ACC/SEC Challenge
6/5/2026 6:46:00 AM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – The ACC and SEC, in conjunction with ESPN, today announced that Pitt will travel to face Missouri at Mizzou Arena on Monday, Dec. 1 in an ACC/SEC Challenge matchup for the second time in four years. Time and television designation will be announced at a later date.
THE ACC/SEC CHALLENGE
This year will mark the fourth rendition of the event. The conferences tied (7-7) in 2023, while the SEC won (14-2) in 2024 and (9-7) in 2025.
| Year | Winner | ACC Wins | SEC Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Tied | 7 | 7 |
| 2024 | SEC | 2 | 14 |
| 2025 | SEC | 7 | 9 |
| Overall | 16 | 30 |
Pitt is 0-3 all-time in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Panthers fell to Missouri, 71-64, at the Petersen Events Center in the inaugural event on Nov. 28, 2023, before dropping a 90-57 decision at Mississippi State on Dec. 4, 2024. Most recently, Pitt dropped an 81-73 home decision to Texas A&M on Dec. 2, 2025.
SERIES HISTORY
Pitt and Missouri have faced each other just one time before, that matchup also coming in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Played Nov. 28, 2023, Missouri hosted the Panthers and came away with a 71-64 victory. Blake Hinson scored a game-high 22 points in the defeat as the Tigers closed the game on a 7-2 run to earn the victory.
THE PITT SCHEDULE
Pitt has announced two other non-conference games as the Panthers will face Oklahoma and DePaul in the 2026 Fort Myers Tip-Off. The ACC recently announced Pitt's ACC opponents, though no game dates or times have been announced at this time.
ABOUT MISSOURI
The Tigers will be led by fifth-year head coach Dennis Gates, who has guided Missouri to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2025-26, Gates led the Tigers to a 20-13 overall record (10-8 SEC) and a first-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament — his third straight trip to the Big Dance at Mizzou. Gates arrived in Columbia in March 2022 following three seasons at Cleveland State, where he compiled a 50-40 record and guided the Vikings to back-to-back postseason appearances, including an NCAA Tournament bid in 2021. Prior to Cleveland State, Gates spent eight seasons as an assistant at Florida State under Leonard Hamilton, during which the Seminoles made four NCAA Tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2018. Gates played collegiately at California, serving as a three-year captain.
Mizzou Arena, home of the Missouri Tigers, is located in Columbia, Mo., and seats 15,061.
SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
2026-27 Pitt Men's Basketball season ticket renewals are now available. Renew today to secure your seats at the Petersen Events Center and be part of the next chapter of Pitt Men's Basketball.
To renew, sign into your account, click "Season Ticket Renewals" and select "2026-27 Men's Basketball Season Ticket Application."
Fans interested in becoming new season ticket holders can complete the Ticket Interest Form to connect directly with a Pitt Athletics ticket representative for more information on 2026-27 season ticket opportunities.
