SEC Basketball: Ranking the Top 5 2023 SEC/Big 12 Challenge matchups
By Matt Melton
An annual head-to-head conference matchup for SEC Basketball, the SEC/Big 12 Challenge not only provides some big time matchups during the middle of conference play, but also an opportunity to pickup some NCAA Tournament resume building wins. With the matchups now announced for the 2022-23 season, what are some of the best matchups in the 2023 SEC/Big 12 Challenge?
Ranking the Top 5 2023 SEC Basketball/Big 12 Challenge matchups
1. Kansas at Kentucky
There are two obvious heavyweight matchups in the 2023 SEC/Big 12 Challenge, both of which you could make an argument for here at No. 1. The top spot however goes to Kentucky hosting defending national champion Kansas in a rematch of last season’s dominant 80-62 Wildcats win in Lawrence, a game in which Kentucky led by 20 at halftime.
2. Arkansas at Baylor
The other headline matchup comes from Arkansas traveling to Baylor, two teams that could very-easily be ranked within the Top 10 in the country come late-January, along with the Wildcats and Jayhawks previously. The freshman taking the court between the Razorbacks and Bears will obviously be a big talking point, a game that features what will be a can’t miss guard matchup between Nick Smith Jr and Keyonte George.
3. Texas at Tennessee
In what-was Rick Barnes return to Austin a year ago, the Volunteers were upset by the Longhorns 52-51 in a game in which Tennessee erased a sizable second half deficit to make it close late. Now hosting this game in Knoxville this season, expect yet another close contest between the Volunteers and Texas.
4. Alabama at Oklahoma
Alabama picked up one of the more-notable wins of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge a year ago as the Crimson Tide upset then No. 4 Baylor 87-78 at home, a game in which they never trailed in the second half. The Crimson Tide will now travel to Norman this season to face what should be a strong Oklahoma team in the first meeting between the two since the 2017-18 season when Alabama upset the Sooners 80-73 in Tuscaloosa in the Collin Sexton/Trae Young showdown.
5. Texas Tech at LSU
dark. Next. Which SEC players have gone No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft?
LSU has a notable matchup in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge in year one under new head coach Matt McMahon as the Tigers will welcome Texas Tech to Baton Rouge. The Red Raiders will certainly be one of the Big 12’s top teams come late-January, and should provide an opportunity for a non-conference resume building win for the Tigers.