Texas, Duke to meet in inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational
Texas, Duke to meet in inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational The game will serve as an early test for Sean Miller's Longhorns, who are expected to enter the season ranked in the top 25.
The Texas Longhorns and Duke Blue Devils will open the 2025-26 college basketball season with a marquee matchup that now carries special significance. The teams are set to face off in the inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational on Nov. 4 at Spectrum Center, ESPN and the Charlotte Sports Foundation announced Monday.
The annual event will honor legendary sportscaster Dick Vitale, who has been a fixture in college basketball broadcasting since joining ESPN in 1979. Monday's announcement coincided with Vitale's 86th birthday.
'Dick is the heart of college basketball, and his kindness, generosity and courage are a constant inspiration to us all,' ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. 'Through the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, we will celebrate him and his profound impact on the sport.'
Vitale has called more than 1,000 games during his career and recently returned to the broadcast booth after a three-year battle with four types of cancer. He was declared cancer-free in December 2024 and made his on-air return Feb. 8 for Duke's game against Clemson.
'ESPN has been such a vital part of my life since December 5, 1979, and I was so thrilled to learn that ESPN Events will have an annual Dick Vitale Invitational,' Vitale said. 'Jimmy Pitaro and all my colleagues and friends at ESPN have been so good to me and I am so thankful for all of the prayers and love I have received from them during my cancer battles. ESPN has been family to me and has given me a life that has been even better than my dreams. To the Vitale family, ESPN is 'Awesome, baby' with a capital A!'
Will Pitts, CEO of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, called the matchup a fitting tribute.
'Bringing together two powerhouse programs like Texas and Duke is an incredible way to kick off this new tradition,' Pitts said. 'More importantly, this event celebrates the enduring legacy of Dick Vitale—his passion for college basketball, his advocacy for cancer research, and the joy he brings to fans everywhere. It's an honor to carry his name on this event, and we look forward to making this a special experience for everyone involved.'
The game will serve as an early test for Sean Miller's Longhorns, who are expected to enter the season ranked in the top 25. Duke, coming off a Final Four appearance and boasting the nation's top recruiting class, will provide stiff competition in what is expected to be a road environment for Texas in Charlotte.
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