No UConn in Next Season's SEC/Big East Challenge

ESPN has announced the 12 matchups that will be part of the second annual SEC/Big East Challenge on Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at home sites of participating schools. UConn is not one of the teams, but before you get all conspiracy theorist on us, let's explain a little.

First off, two teams (Marquette and Villanova) played in the Jimmy V Classic last year and were not a part of last year's SEC/Big East. Those two teams pretty much have to be in this year's field. And, of course, UConn is playing in this year's Jimmy V (Dec. 4 against NC State at Madison Square Garden). So there you go.

When you have 15 teams (as the Big East does next year) or 14 (like the SEC), obviously some teams have to be left out. UConn isn't being left out because of any politics. If politics played a role, do you think Syracuse would be participating?

Anyway, here are the matchups, if you're interested:

Thursday, November 29

Kentucky at Notre Dame

Marquette at Florida

South Carolina at St. John’s

Seton Hall at LSU

Friday, November 30

Syracuse at Arkansas

Tennessee at Georgetown

DePaul at Auburn

Georgia at USF

Saturday, December 1

Alabama at Cincinnati

Villanova at Vanderbilt

Mississippi State at Providence

Rutgers at Mississippi