SMU Women's Hoops Draws Georgia in SEC/ACC Challenge

DALLAS - SMU women’s basketball just got a heavyweight December checkpoint.

The Mustangs will host Georgia on Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the SEC/ACC Challenge, giving Adia Barnes’ second SMU team a major nonconference measuring stick inside Moody Coliseum.

READ MORE: SMU Legend Kevin Robinzine Joins SWC Hall

ESPN announced the matchup Friday as part of the two-day event, which runs Dec. 2-3 across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network and SEC Network.

For SMU, this isn’t just another schedule drop. It’s a chance to make noise against the SEC and prove last year’s challenge win wasn’t a one-off.

The Mustangs beat Arkansas 78-63 at Moody Coliseum last season, and they’ll now try to make it two straight wins in the SEC/ACC Challenge.

Georgia brings brand power, conference credibility and exactly the kind of early-season test Barnes can use to find out what her roster really is.

And that roster has some serious new juice.

Barnes attacked the portal hard ahead of the 2026-27 season, adding Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Kinsea Grimes from Coastal Carolina, CAA Defensive Player of the Year Grace Ezebilo from Charleston, Pitt transfer Theresa Hagans Jr., who earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors in 2025-26, and French forward Adja Kane.

That’s a lot of new pieces, but SMU also brings back its biggest bucket-getter.

Zahra King returns after delivering one of the most explosive individual performances in college basketball last season, dropping 40 points in a win over Pitt.

READ MORE: SMU Basketball Gets UNLV Test In Phoenix

If King brings that same scoring punch and the transfers settle in quickly, the Mustangs could be a problem.

The Georgia matchup gives SMU an early chance to show it has more than potential. It has a stage, a home crowd and a shot to punch up before conference play gets rolling.

Join Our Roundtable Community For Free! 

Share your takes, connect with our Roundtable writers, and talk sports with fellow fans. Download the free Roundtable App today and stay closer to the conversation.