NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Mountain West Conference and Atlantic 10 Conference announced Thursday the pairings for the inaugural year of the Mountain West - Atlantic 10 Challenge Series. These matchups are for the 2020-21 non-conference season.

The two conferences will play ten games each season, with each league hosting five games per year. Games in the first year of the Mountain West-Atlantic 10 Challenge Series will be held in all four continental U.S. time zones, spanning from coast to coast.

Matchups for each year are determined by the league offices based on a number of factors, including the previous year’s records, NET rankings and team achievements, as well as projected rankings and anticipated strength of teams for the upcoming season. All 10 games in 2020 will be played during the first week of December, with television and digital rights residing with the host conference.

For the A-10, Davidson, Rhode Island, Saint Joseph’s, Saint Louis and VCU will begin the challenge at home, while Dayton, Duquesne, George Mason, Richmond and St. Bonaventure will play on the road.

“We are looking forward to this partnership with the Mountain West Conference. Intentionally stretching our scheduling footprint into four time zones is great for television exposure and brand expansion,” stated Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “Non-conference games are important and these matchups will be highly competitive, exciting and fun for our fan base.”

For the MWC, Fresno State, Colorado State, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming will play at home, while Air Force, Boise State, San Diego State, UNLV and Utah State will begin the challenge on the road.

“Starting next season, teams from both leagues will have the opportunity to play another quality, nationally-recognized non-conference opponent during the Challenge,” said Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson. “The Mountain West and Atlantic 10 boast strong basketball traditions, and we believe this partnership will bolster the brand of both conferences.”

Seven of the pairings feature first-time matchups between the two programs. Of the three other games, Duquesne and Wyoming have played four times with a 3-1 series record in favor of Dukes. New Mexico holds a 1-0 series mark over St. Bonaventure and Fresno State is 1-0 all-time versus George Mason.

Announced in December of 2018, the Mountain West/Atlantic 10 Challenge Series, is a scheduling partnership that covers the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, with an option to extend the partnership for an additional two years, into the 2023-24 season.

2020 Atlantic 10 – Mountain West Challenge Series Matchups

Game times and television coverage to be announced at a later date

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020

Utah State at Davidson

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020

UNLV at VCU

St. Bonaventure at New Mexico

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020

San Diego State at Saint Louis

George Mason at Fresno State

Boise State at Rhode Island

Air Force at Saint Joseph’s

Richmond at Colorado State

Duquesne at Wyoming

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020

Dayton at Nevada