SEC and Big 12 announce women’s basketball challenge

On Thursday, the Southeastern Conferences and Big 12 announced the formation of a women’s basketball challenge spanning at least two years to begin this fall.

Two teams from each league will participate in the initial two years to help promote the 2015 SEC Women’s Basketball Championship to be played in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and the 2016 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship scheduled in Oklahoma City.

“The SEC is excited about the formation of the SEC/Big12 Challenge and partnering with the Big 12 to create a unique event for women’s basketball. The Challenge will be a premiere showcase event promoting several teams from two of the top women’s basketball conferences in the nation,” said Leslie Claybrook, SEC assistant commissioner. “This will be an exciting event for our institutions, student-athletes and fans.”

“The Challenge against the SEC will provide exciting matchups in these next two seasons that enhances both leagues’ non-conference slate,” said Dru Hancock, Big 12 senior associate commissioner. “In addition, it provides a unique opportunity to promote conference championships in the venues in which they will be played. We’re hopeful that this initial challenge will include more teams in the future.”

Texas will face Texas A&M while Oklahoma squares off against Arkansas on December 21 , 2014, at the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock in the first year of the event.

The opponents will be reversed the following season with games played on December 20 , 2015, in Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Times, ticket and television information for the 2014 SEC/Big 12 Challenge will be released as it becomes available.

Mizzou is not not scheduled to play anyone this season, but possibly next year according to a Missouri women’s basketball spokesperson.