Michigan basketball exhibition set for Oct. 20

Michigan basketball struggled on the court in 2023-24. After an 8-24 finish, which included a 3-17 mark in Big Ten play, they parted ways with head coach Juwan Howard. The Wolverines will look to turn things around after bringing in Dusty May.

While his first official game leading the program will not come until Nov. 4 – when the Cleveland State Vikings come to Ann Arbor – Michigan fans will get a preview of what’s to come on Oct. 20. The Wolverines took to X on Tuesday to announce that they will face the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in a charity exhibition game in Detroit, tweeting:

In conjunction with @313Presents, the Wolverines are hosting a charity exhibition game against @OaklandMBB in downtown Detroit on Sunday (Oct. 20) at @LCArena_Detroit benefiting @ForgottnHarvest; the exhibition is scheduled for a 5 p.m. tipoff

Release | https://t.co/GRKJC01xAn… pic.twitter.com/AfWdEXcxbL

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) August 20, 2024

The Golden Grizzlies were once of the big stories in the early stages of March Madness. After earning the Horizon League’s automatic bid to the tournament, they shocked the world by defeating the Kentucky Wildcats 80-76 in the first round.

Dusty May brings a winning reputation to Michigan

Dusty May was among the most coveted college basketball coaches that were available this offseason. The former Florida Atlantic Owls head coach began to garner national interest during the program’s improbable run to the Final Four in 2023. He led the Owls to a 60-13 mark over the past two years. The 35-4 and 25-9 seasons are the two best seasons in program history.

While he had plenty of suitors this offseason, May opted to become the 18th head coach in Michigan basketball history. He sign a five-year deal, worth an average of $3.75 million. May will look to lead the program to March Madness for the first time since 2022.

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