LSU finally knows who it will play when it takes part in the Acrisure Series in Palm Springs, Calif. during Thanksgiving weekend.
Will Wade and the Tigers will take on the likes of Arizona State and SMU as part of an event that features 26 games with 26 programs across six days in the Coachella Valley. The Tigers play Arizona State on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. CT (11 a.m. PT) and SMU on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. CT (4 p.m. PT) at Acrisure Arena.
Both games will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.
The Tigers Are Cali-Bound ✈️ #BootUp pic.twitter.com/fOk43R1Acs
— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) August 6, 2026
LSU has played the Sun Devils twice on neutral courts and lost both, including an overtime game in the 2007 Maui Invitational.
The Tigers and Mustangs have played each of the last two years (Frisco, Texas in 2024 and New Orleans in 2025) in the Compete 4 Cause Classics. LSU won last year’s matchup against SMU 89-77 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The teams have played seven times overall, with SMU having a 4-3 lead in the series.
"The Acrisure Series has become one of the premier events in college basketball, and we believe this year's field is the strongest we've assembled," said Dan Shell, President of Total Sports Consulting and Co-Tournament Director. "Bringing together 26 outstanding programs for six consecutive days creates an incredible experience for student-athletes, coaches and fans while continuing to establish Greater Palm Springs as one of the country's premier destinations for Thanksgiving college basketball.”
Overview of Arizona State coming into the 2026-27 season
The Sun Devils finished the 2025–26 season 17–16, 7–11 in Big 12 play to finish in a tie for 11th place. The Sun Devils did not participate in any post season basketball tournaments.
At the conclusion of last season, longtime head coach Bobby Hurley was not retained. Hurley finished with a 185–167 record, with only three NCAA tournament appearances during his 11-year stint from 2015-2026.
That led to the program bringing in former longtime Saint Mary’s basketball coach Randy Bennett. Often linked with multiple job openings every season, Bennett was finally poached from the Bay Area by the Sun Devils, and the decision was largely based on him wanting to return home, as he is from the Phoenix area.
Taking over a two-win program the year before he got there, Bennett turned Saint Mary's into a mid-major power, as the Gaels were a NCAA tournament regular from 2001-2026. Bennett also led the Gaels to seven regular season conference championships and four WCC Tournament titles. Bennett finished with a 589-228 overall record with the Gaels.
The Tigers meet up with the Ponies for the third straight season
The Mustangs finished the season 20–14 and 8–10 in ACC play to finish in a tie for 11th place. As the No. 11 seed in the 2026 ACC tournament, they defeated Syracuse in the first round and faced Louisville for the third time this season in the second round.
SMU received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. 11 seed in the Midwest Regional and were placed in the First Four where it ultimately lost to fellow No. 11 seed Miami (OH) to end the Mustangs’ season.
SMU brought in talented transfers such as Rowan Brumbaugh (Tulane), David Terrell Jr. (North Texas) and Jaylin Stewart (UConn).
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