By Otis Kirk

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas is set to host Duke in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with the tip set for 8:15 p.m.

Arkansas head basketball coach Eric Musselman talked about the matchup and getting such an elite program to come to Fayetteville.

“We are excited as a program to host such a storied program as Duke," Musselman said. "It’s a great opportunity for our fans to see a premier game in November. Our players and coaching staff have incredible respect for Duke’s history and current team. We recognize Duke will be a preseason number one team in many polls. What a great early test and challenge for our team prior to SEC play.”

The television designations will be announced at a later date. Arkansas and Duke have met on four previous occasions – all on neutral courts and in all four both teams were nationally ranked. The series is tied, 2-2.

The last time the Razorbacks and Blue Devils met was the 2022 NCAA Elite 8 in San Francisco, a game Duke won 78-69. Prior to that, Arkansas defeated Duke, 76-72, to win the 1994 NCAA Championship in Charlotte.

The first meeting between the schools was in the 1990 NCAA Final Four. The Blue Devils won that initial matchup, 97-83. Eight months later (Nov. 21, 1990), Arkansas beat Duke, 98-88, at New York’s Madison Square Garden in the Preseason NIT semifinals.