Wolverines to Face Defending National Champion Villanova in Gavitt Games
5/15/2018 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In conjunction with the Big Ten and Big East Conferences, the University of Michigan men's basketball program announced Tuesday (May 15) its inclusion in the 2018 Gavitt Tipoff Games, where the Wolverines will have a road matchup with defending national champion Villanova on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
"Returning to the Gavitt Games is an exciting early season opportunity for us, our fans and really all of college basketball," said U-M head coach John Beilein. "When you are able to have a rematch of the previous season's national title game, I think that is good for the sport, despite how different the makeup of the two teams may be.
"Jay's program continues to be one of the premiere teams in the country and to face the defending national champions will not only make for a great college basketball environment, but a good opportunity to compete at the highest level right out of the gate."
U-M and Villanova last met in the closing game of the 2017-18 season. Playing in the national title game in San Antonio, the Wildcats won their second national title in three years with a 79-62 victory over the Wolverines. The contest will be the fifth all-time between the two schools, but the first played on either campus.
The Gavitt Games, which are scheduled through 2022, offer an early-season series of games between the Big Ten and Big East. Named in honor of Hall of Famer Dave Gavitt, founder of the Big East and basketball visionary, neither conference has yet claimed the series title as all three sets of games have resulted in even split, 4-4 ties.
Michigan has appeared in the Gavitt Games on one other occasion playing in the inaugural event, when they hosted Xavier at Crisler Center on Nov. 20, 2015 -- an 86-70 loss.
All game times and television details will be released at a later date.
2018 Gavitt Games Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 13
Wisconsin at Xavier
Georgetown at Illinois
Wednesday, Nov. 14
Michigan at Villanova
Seton Hall at Nebraska
Marquette at Indiana
Thursday, Nov. 15
Penn State at DePaul
Ohio State at Creighton
Friday, Nov. 16
St. John's at Rutgers
