Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Set to Face Ole Miss in Oxford December 4 During Highly Anticipated 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s basketball program will pack its bags and head south to Oxford, Mississippi, on December 4, 2025, for a pivotal non-conference clash against the Ole Miss Rebels as part of the ever-growing ACC/SEC Challenge. This matchup not only highlights an exciting cross-conference showdown but also presents Notre Dame with an early-season opportunity to test its mettle in a hostile environment as the team continues to evolve under head coach Micah Shrewsberry.

This will mark Notre Dame’s second consecutive year participating in the ACC/SEC Challenge, an event launched to inject high-stakes intensity into the early college basketball calendar by pairing two of the nation’s premier conferences against each other. The Fighting Irish, coming off a rebuilding season that showed signs of life and grit, will enter the 2025–26 campaign with higher expectations, an influx of promising talent, and the kind of momentum that makes a December challenge in SEC territory more than just another game—it’s a measuring stick.

For Notre Dame, the road trip to Oxford offers an invaluable midseason test that can pay dividends down the line. Whether it’s preparation for conference play or enhancing their NCAA Tournament résumé, a victory over an SEC opponent on their home floor carries weight in March. Ole Miss, known for its physical style and raucous home crowd at the SJB Pavilion, will be no easy out. In recent years, the Rebels have transformed into a formidable SEC competitor, bolstered by aggressive defense and a no-fear mentality. The game promises to be a clash of cultures and strategies, pitting Notre Dame’s perimeter-driven offense and disciplined system against the Rebels’ pace-pushing athleticism.

The Fighting Irish enter the contest as a team very much in transition but rapidly on the rise. Micah Shrewsberry’s second full offseason has brought in fresh energy on the recruiting trail and via the transfer portal. With a strong blend of veteran leadership and young talent, Notre Dame is beginning to resemble a program capable of returning to its past glory. The Irish faithful will be eager to see how the team responds in a pressure-packed atmosphere like Oxford, especially considering how young rosters can often grow or unravel in such environments.

One name Irish fans are likely to rally around is sophomore guard Markus Burton, who emerged last season as a spark plug capable of controlling tempo and creating his own shot. His continued development as both a scorer and a facilitator could be a key factor against Ole Miss’s aggressive perimeter defense. Burton’s ability to break down defenders and keep the Irish offense in rhythm will be closely watched. Alongside him, players like Braeden Shrewsberry, J.R. Konieczny, and incoming freshman additions will need to play with poise and physicality.

Notre Dame’s frontcourt depth, often a concern in the past, is expected to take a leap this season. Returning bigs who showed flashes last season are expected to bring more consistent production, and the addition of new recruits gives Coach Shrewsberry greater flexibility in the rotation. The challenge for the Irish will be matching the Rebels’ energy in the paint and on the boards. Ole Miss tends to punish teams that fail to box out or bring consistent effort inside, and that is where Notre Dame must show growth.

Meanwhile, the Ole Miss Rebels will look to defend their home court with pride. Under the leadership of head coach Chris Beard, the Rebels have become one of the SEC’s most talked-about programs, thanks to a mix of tough defense, smart recruiting, and a rejuvenated fanbase that has brought new life to the Pavilion. After posting strong performances in recent seasons, Beard’s squad will be aiming to assert its dominance over an ACC opponent, using this December matchup to make a statement of their own.

Expect the Rebels to deploy a heavy dose of ball pressure and transition offense. Their backcourt, typically aggressive on both ends, will be tasked with disrupting Notre Dame’s rhythm and forcing turnovers. If Ole Miss can turn defense into offense, the Irish will have to respond with mature ball-handling and quick decision-making. This back-and-forth will likely define the flow of the game, as both sides try to impose their will.

Another key storyline entering the contest is the coaching chess match. Shrewsberry and Beard are two of the most respected minds in the game, albeit with differing philosophies. While Shrewsberry leans on structured sets and three-point spacing, Beard emphasizes toughness, defense, and in-your-face basketball. The sideline battle will be fascinating, with both coaches looking to set the tone early and exploit any mismatches.

Beyond the X’s and O’s, the game carries implications for national perception. For Notre Dame, a win on the road against a rising SEC team would signal that the Irish are ready to compete not just in the ACC but nationally. It could provide the kind of early signature win that selection committees remember when March rolls around. For Ole Miss, defending their home turf against a storied program like Notre Dame is just as critical. The Rebels will want to demonstrate that they’re not only contenders in the SEC but also capable of knocking off opponents from college basketball’s most historic conferences.

This matchup also holds significance for recruiting optics. With both programs investing heavily in recruiting battles across the South and Midwest, this game could influence perceptions among high school and transfer prospects alike. A hard-fought game in a nationally televised setting offers exposure and opportunity for players to showcase their abilities on a big stage.

From a fan’s perspective, the anticipation is palpable. Notre Dame fans making the trip to Oxford will be greeted by Southern hospitality and an electric game-day atmosphere. The Pavilion is known for its tight, loud environment, and Irish players will need to stay composed when the crowd inevitably gets into it. For students and alumni alike, the ACC/SEC Challenge has become a can’t-miss date on the calendar, bridging regional pride with national stakes.

As December 4 approaches, both programs will prepare in earnest. Notre Dame will use its early-season tune-ups to iron out rotations, build chemistry, and identify its go-to scorers. Ole Miss will be aiming to start fast in SEC play and use this inter-conference challenge as a barometer of its own growth. While the game may come early in the season, its importance cannot be overstated. It is a proving ground—a litmus test not only for the teams involved but for the broader dialogue between two of college basketball’s most passionate conferences.

With ESPN likely to broadcast the game as part of the week-long challenge coverage, all eyes will be on Oxford that night. Players will have the spotlight, coaches will be under the microscope, and the outcome may shape narratives for months to come. Will Notre Dame’s new-look roster be ready for the moment? Can the Irish overcome the Rebels’ defensive intensity and pull off a statement win? Or will Ole Miss protect its home floor and continue to rise in national esteem?

One thing is for certain—when the ball tips on December 4, the ACC/SEC Challenge will once again deliver a high-stakes, high-drama showdown. For Notre Dame, it’s a golden opportunity to make noise, build identity, and take one more step on the road back to basketball prominence.