Big East/SEC Challenge announced

Villanova will visit Vanderbilt on Dec. 1 as part of the Big East/SEC Challenge, the Wildcats' first appearance in the event since 2007.

The Challenge, in its sixth year, will feature 12 games over three days. All games are played on campus sites with each conference hosting six games. All games will be aired by an ESPN network. Times have yet to be determined.

Overall, the Big East leads, 16-12, and went 8-4 last season when the event was expanded to 12 games from four.

Villanova beat LSU, 68-67, in its only other game in the Challenge. Vanderbilt is making its third appearance in the Challenge. The Commodores lost to Louisville, 62-60, in overtime last season and beat South Florida, 71-52, in 2008.

The Wildcats had two junior guards leave early for the NBA draft: Maalik Wayns and Dom Cheek, their top scorers from a team that missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004 and tied a program record with 19 losses. Villanova does return three starters; will have five players who aren't freshmen any longer; and will add several newcomers, including Neshaminy guard Ryan Arcidiancono. Tony Chennault, who spent the last two seasons at Wake Forest, is transferring to Villanova and might be able to play right away depending on the result of his hardship waiver request.

Vandy went 25-11 last season and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Wisconsin. The Commodores lost three double-figure scorers, including two-time SEC scoring leader John Jenkins, who is entering the NBA draft.

Here is the full schedule:

Thursday, Nov. 29

Marquette at Florida

Seton Hall at LSU

Kentucky at Notre Dame

South Carolina at St. John's

Friday, Nov. 30

Syracuse at Arkansas

DePaul at Auburn

Tennessee at Georgetown

Georgia at South Florida

Saturday, Dec. 1

Alabama at Cincinnati

Rutgers at Mississippi

Mississippi State at Providence

Villanova at Vanderbilt