Michigan basketball to begin home-and-home series with fellow blue-blood this season

Michigan basketball is expected to do damage next season, and it has at least one unique matchup to look forward to. According to Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today, the Wolverines are finalizing an agreement with Villanova to begin a home-and-home series this season.

The first game will be played in Ann Arbor, and Villanova’s home game won’t come until 2026-27.

Michigan and Villanova to begin home-and-home series

Last season, the Wolverines went 8-3 in non-conference games, with four of those wins coming against teams ranked in the top-25. They also dropped back-to-back neutral site games on national television to Arkansas and then-ranked No.14 Oklahoma, respectively.

New: Michigan Football Announces 7:30pm Kickoff in Home Opener Against New Mexico

The date and time for the matchup with Villanova has yet to be determined, but it will undoubtedly be a great litmus test in the early portion of the season. The Wildcats went 21-15 last season, losing in the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown, a tournament for teams that failed to make it to March Madness.

Michigan is 1-3 in the all-time series against Villanova, most recently losing in the Sweet 16 in 2022. The Wildcats were the No. 2 seed, and the Wolverines were the No. 11 seed. But, times have changed.

Following the 2021-22 season, legendary Villanova head coach Jay Wright retired after 20 years with the program. Under Wright, the Wildcats went to the NCAA tournament 16 times, including four trips to the Final Four and two national championships (2016, ‘18). Since he left, Villanova has yet to make the NCAA tournament.

More: Gracing the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 is just the beginning of Bryce Underwood’s stardom, and he’s ready for it

On the other side, Michigan has one of the premiere coaches in the sport in Dusty May. The Wolverines are set to welcome the No. 1 transfer portal class in the country this fall as well, headlined by No. 1 transfer player Yaxel Lendeborg.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms