The Full 2025 Jimmy V Classic Schedule: Matchups, Dates, And The $458 Million Mission

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The 2025 Jimmy V Classic is set to deliver another high-stakes doubleheader in men's college basketball, coupled with a massive in-state rivalry clash in the women's game. Scheduled for early December 2025, the event continues its powerful tradition of showcasing elite college hoops while raising crucial funds and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. This year’s lineup promises a blend of national powerhouses and rising programs, ensuring a must-watch spectacle for fans of the sport. The official schedule, announced in late 2024, confirms that the men's event will take place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City, featuring four major programs. The women's game, a standalone event, will follow on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, highlighting one of the sport's most intense rivalries. This annual event is much more than just basketball; it is a direct continuation of Jim Valvano's inspiring legacy and his call to "Don't Give Up... Don't Ever Give Up!"

The Full 2025 Jimmy V Classic Schedule and Matchups

The Jimmy V Classic is a premier early-season tournament, traditionally hosted by ESPN, that brings together some of the nation's best college basketball programs to compete in a doubleheader format. The 2025 edition is no exception, featuring a mix of ACC, Big 12, SEC, and Big East talent.

Men’s Classic: Madison Square Garden Doubleheader (December 9, 2025)

The 2025 Men's Jimmy V Classic will return to its spiritual home, Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York, New York, for a massive two-game event on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The full schedule for the men's doubleheader includes two highly anticipated matchups:
  • Florida Gators vs. UConn Huskies: A battle between two programs with storied NCAA Tournament histories. UConn, the reigning national champion in recent years, will face a strong Florida squad in a game that pits the Big East against the SEC.
  • Clemson Tigers vs. BYU Cougars: This contest features the ACC's Clemson against the Big 12's BYU. Both teams are known for their physical play and deep three-point shooting, making for a potentially high-scoring affair.
This doubleheader provides a critical early-season test for all four programs, offering a chance to gain a resume-building victory on a neutral court. The atmosphere at The Garden for the Jimmy V Classic is always electric, adding an extra layer of intensity to these non-conference games.

Women’s Classic: The Cy-Hawk Rivalry (December 10, 2025)

The Jimmy V Women’s Classic, presented by Modelo, often highlights a marquee matchup in women's college basketball. The 2025 event will feature one of the sport's most intense in-state rivalries: the Cy-Hawk matchup. The game details are as follows:
  • Matchup: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones
  • Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
  • Location: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa (Iowa State's home court)
This game is a massive draw, pitting two perennial top-25 programs against each other. The rivalry is fierce, and the stakes are always high, making it a perfect centerpiece for the V Foundation’s mission to shine a spotlight on women’s athletics. The Women's Classic has also been a huge success in recent years, setting viewership records and driving significant awareness.

The Enduring Legacy of Jim Valvano and The V Foundation

The Jimmy V Classic is not merely a college basketball event; it is the primary fundraising vehicle for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The foundation was established in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, the legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach who led the Wolfpack to an improbable NCAA Championship in 1983. Valvano’s battle with adenocarcinoma, a form of glandular cancer, and his subsequent passing, inspired the creation of the foundation just weeks after his iconic speech at the ESPY Awards.

A Mission to Find a Cure

The core mission of the V Foundation is straightforward yet powerful: to save lives and find cures for cancer by funding groundbreaking research. The foundation operates with the guiding principle that 100% of all direct cash donations and net proceeds from events like the Jimmy V Classic go directly to cancer research and programs. This commitment is a cornerstone of their operations. Since its founding, the V Foundation has awarded over $458 million in cancer research grants to more than 1,423 grantees across the United States. These funds support a wide array of research, from early detection and prevention to new, innovative therapies.

The Power of "Don't Give Up"

The spirit of the Classic is embodied in Jim Valvano's famous 1993 ESPY speech. In his final public address, he urged the audience to follow three things every day: laugh, think, and cry. Most importantly, he delivered the foundation's enduring motto: "Don't Give Up... Don't Ever Give Up!" This message of hope, perseverance, and determination is what the Jimmy V Classic celebrates every year. Each game played, and every ticket purchased, contributes directly to the fight against cancer, turning a marquee sporting event into a powerful philanthropic endeavor.

Why the 2025 Classic is a Must-Watch Event

The 2025 Jimmy V Classic provides significant storylines that will impact the college basketball landscape for the entire season. The men’s doubleheader at MSG is a major barometer for all four teams. UConn and Florida will test their early-season rankings, while BYU and Clemson will look to make a national statement in front of a New York audience. These games are crucial for NCAA Tournament seeding discussions later in the year. The women's game featuring Iowa and Iowa State is arguably one of the most compelling rivalry games in all of college sports. The "Cy-Hawk" game always draws massive viewership and a packed stadium, providing a spotlight for the V Foundation’s efforts in women’s cancer research initiatives. Fans can expect to see top talent, including potential NBA and WNBA draft picks, competing on a national stage. Beyond the on-court action, the event is a reminder of the collective effort required to defeat cancer, uniting the college basketball community for a cause greater than the game itself. The Jimmy V Classic remains a powerful symbol of hope, leveraging the excitement of sport to fund life-saving research.
The Full 2025 Jimmy V Classic Schedule: Matchups, Dates, and the $458 Million Mission
jimmy v classic 2025
jimmy v classic 2025

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