Mississippi State will play Providence on Dec. 1 in the annual SEC/Big East Challenge. It's part of a three-day, 12-game affair that begins Nov. 29.

MSU and Providence have never met on the hardwood before. The Friars went 15-17 last season (4-14 Big East), which ended with a loss to Seton Hall in the first round of the Big East Tournament. It was the first year for head coach Ed Cooley.

The Bulldogs were 21-12 last year, the 14th and final year for head coach Rick Stansbury. New coach Rick Ray has been trying to rebuild the roster, and this will be a long road trip early in the season, which in itself makes it a tough test.

This is the sixth year of the SEC/Big East Challenge and the fourth year MSU has played in it. The Bulldogs are 2-1 in the event and defeated West Virginia last season.

Here's the entire SEC/Big East Challenge schedule, which does not include incoming SEC members Missouri or Texas A&M. All games will be televised by either ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.

Thursday, Nov. 29

• South Carolina at St. John's

• Seton Hall at LSU

• Kentucky at Notre Dame

• Marquette at Florida

Friday, Nov. 30

• Georgia at South Florida

• DePaul at Auburn

• Tennessee at Georgetown

• Syracuse at Arkansas*

Saturday, Dec. 1

• MSU at Providence

• Rutgers at Ole Miss

• Alabama at Cincinnati

• Villanova at Vanderbilt

*–Apparently Syracuse doesn't want to participate in this event. CLICK HERE for details.