Texas Longhorns to Face Duke Blue Devils in the Inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational Season Opener on November 4, 2025, at Spectrum Center in Charlotte
The 2025–26 college basketball season is set to commence with a highly anticipated matchup between two powerhouse programs: the Texas Longhorns and the Duke Blue Devils. This game will serve as the inaugural contest of the newly established Dick Vitale Invitational, a neutral-site event honoring the legendary ESPN broadcaster. Scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, the game is expected to tip off at 7:00 PM ET and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
The creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational was announced by ESPN and the Charlotte Sports Foundation on June 9, 2025, coinciding with Vitale’s 86th birthday. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro expressed that the event aims to celebrate Vitale’s profound impact on college basketball and his advocacy for cancer research. Vitale, who has been an integral part of ESPN’s college basketball coverage since 1979, returned to the broadcast booth in February 2025 after a battle with multiple cancers.
The matchup between Texas and Duke adds another layer of excitement to the event. Both teams are entering the season with high expectations. Texas, under the leadership of first-year head coach Sean Miller, is looking to make a statement in the Southeastern Conference. The Longhorns have bolstered their roster through the transfer portal, adding key players such as Dailyn Swain, Simeon Wilcher, Lassina Traore, Camden Heide, and Matas Vokietaitis.
Duke, led by fourth-year head coach Jon Scheyer, is coming off a successful 2024–25 season where they finished with a 35–4 record and reached the Final Four. The Blue Devils are poised for another strong season, bolstered by the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, which includes highly touted freshmen like Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel.
This season opener not only marks the beginning of a new college basketball season but also honors the legacy of Dick Vitale. The event is expected to become a staple in the college basketball calendar, bringing together top-tier programs and celebrating the sport’s rich history. Fans across the nation are eagerly anticipating this marquee matchup, which promises to deliver high-level competition and memorable moments.
As the date approaches, further details regarding ticket availability and game time will be announced. For now, basketball enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling season opener that sets the tone for what is expected to be an exciting college basketball season.
