SEC punches back in ACC-SEC challenge with Arkansas' upset of No. 6 Louisville after ACC's 6-3 start

A day after the ACC secured a 6-3 lead with some high-profile wins in the ACC-SEC challenge, the SEC punched back with the upset of the event's second day.

No. 25 Arkansas blew open the first half against No. 6 Louisville, then held off a second-half rally from the Cardinals for an 89-80 win.

Meanwhile, No. 12 Alabama fended off an upset bid from Clemson and pulled away late for a 90-84 win. And LSU beat Boston College, 78-69 to even up the contest at 6-6 with four games remaining late Wednesday night.

This, a day after No. 4 Duke beat No. 15 Florida and No. 16 North Carolina beat No. 18 Kentucky in the marquee games of the event as the ACC secured a significantly better effort than in last year's contest that resulted in a 14-2 drubbing by the SEC.

Last season featured a historically great SEC that produced two Final Four teams including national champion Florida that many considered the best conference in college basketball history. And the ACC remained mired in a downturn that produced just four teams in the NCAA tournament field.

Regardless of the final tally from this year's SEC-ACC challenge, the ACC has narrowed the gap and appears to be a significantly stronger conference this season.

This story will be updated.