May vs. Calipari: Michigan Basketball to Play Arkansas in Jimmy V Classic

Michigan basketball announced on Tuesday that they will participate in the Jimmy V Classic, an annual early-season tournament.

The Wolverines, led by first-year head coach Dusty May, will play another first-year coach, John Calipari, and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 10.

The Maize and Blue are Big 🍎 Bound! Making its first appearance in the Jimmy V Classic, U-M faces Arkansas on Dec. 10 at MSG in a 9 pm tilt.

In a Tuesday doubleheader, the Wolverines & Razorbacks follow Miami (Fla.) vs. Tennessee (6:30 pm) with both games on ESPN!

Release |… pic.twitter.com/rJKaT7PY3J

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) August 21, 2024

The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. ET start as it will be the second game in ESPN’s annual doubleheader. It will follow a matchup between Miami (FL) & Tennessee.

History of the Jimmy V Classic

The Jimmy V Classic is named after former NC State Wolfpack head coach Jim Valvano. It takes place annually, raising money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. According to the official release, ESPN has raised over $236 million for the foundation since 1993. Their annual V Week has raised almost $89 million over the past 17 years.

Michigan holds an all-time 4-3 record against Arkansas, however, the two sides have not met since 2012. The Wolverines are 26-11 at Madison Square Garden. They have won their past 11 games at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’.

Michigan basketball announced an exhibition earlier this week

The Wolverines will not officially begin the Dusty May era until Nov. 4, when they face Cleveland State. Fans will get their first look at the incoming head coach in an exhibition two weeks earlier against Oakland on Oct. 20 in Detroit.

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 one of the cinderella stories of March Madness, due to an 80-76 upset victory over the Kentucky Wildcats. Michigan will look to get off to a strong start with a preseason victory. The Wolverines are tied for the 17th-best odds (+5500) to win the national title.

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