The Challenge was set to launch in 2020,[1] but was postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Challenge launched as a small-scale spiritual successor to the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series, which ran from 2007 to 2010.

[2] As a result of the 2021–2024 NCAA conference realignment, the Challenge no longer featured Pac-12 teams, and instead became a small-scale spiritual successor to the Big 12/SEC Challenge in 2024.

[3] Women's basketball returned in 2024 under the name "USLBM Coast to Coast Challenge featuring the Hoopfest Women’s Basketball Classic".

Originally, Arizona was to be the Pac-12 representative, but backed out due to COVID-19 protocols