Michigan Announces 25-Game 2020-21 Men's Basketball Schedule
11/18/2020 5:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
• 2020-21 U-M Men's Basketball Schedule
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In conjunction with the Big Ten Conference and its television partners, the University of Michigan men's basketball program announced Wednesday (Nov. 18)Â a 25-game regular-season schedule for the upcoming 2020-21 season.
Comprised of five non-conference games and a 20-game Big Ten slate, the schedule will continue to be monitored and could be altered due to the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic. Game times and television designations will be released at a later date.
"As I have said, we are in and have been living in unprecedented times," said U-M's David and Meredith Kaplan Men's Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard. "We are excited to get started next week. It has been a long time since we have taken the floor. However, our first priority is the health and safety for everyone involved in these games -- especially the teams traveling to Ann Arbor. The Big Ten, as well as our administration and the State of Michigan, have continued to make the proper adjustments and improve upon those to help us be able to get these games in. We will be ready no matter the situation. It's just a great feel for everyone to have a chance to move forward."
The non-conference schedule includes five games, starting with Bowling Green next Wednesday (Nov. 25) and Oakland (Sunday, Nov. 29) to close out the month. In December, U-M will host Ball State (Wednesday, Dec. 2), Central Florida (Sunday, Dec. 6) and N.C. State (Wednesday, Dec. 9 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge).
Meeting for the first time in a decade, U-M holds a 9-3 all-time record against BGSU. The last time the Wolverines and Falcons met (Nov. 18, 2010), U-M won, 69-50, in a Legends Classic Regional matchup at Crisler Center. Michigan is 9-1 in the all-time series against Bowling Green in Ann Arbor.
U-M will face Oakland for the first time in nearly a decade when the Wolverines host the Golden Grizzlies. The last time they met (Dec. 10, 2011), Michigan defeated Oakland, 90-80, at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The last meeting in Ann Arbor ended with a 69-51 U-M win on Dec. 18, 2010.
After a 12-year break, Michigan and Ball State will battle one another on the hardwood. The Wolverines fell, 75-64, the last time they faced the Cardinals on Dec. 1, 2015, and marked the first setback in the all-time series after the Wolverines had won the nine previous meetings.
Starting a home-and-home series with Central Florida, the Wolverines will welcome the Knights to Ann Arbor for the first meeting between the two programs.
Michigan has played N.C. State more than any other ACC opponent in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge series. The 2020 matchup in Ann Arbor will mark the fifth time the two teams have met, as Michigan holds a 3-1 advantage, including a 66-59 road win at PNC Arena on Dec. 1, 2015 -- the last meeting between the teams.
After going 10-10 in conference play last season, the Wolverines will begin this season's Big Ten slate against Penn State (Sunday, Dec. 13) at Crisler Center. With the conference schedule format altered due to COVID-19, the Wolverines will play three games in December, including at Nebraska on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) and at Maryland on New Year's Eve (Thursday, Dec. 31).
Maintaining its protected rivalry games, U-M will play a pair of games against Michigan State, first at Crisler Center (Saturday, Feb. 6) and then the regular-season finale at the Breslin Center (Sunday, March 7).
Additional home-and-home series will be with Penn State (home, Dec. 13; away, Jan. 9), Maryland (away, Dec. 31; home, Jan. 19), Northwestern (home, Jan. 3; away, Feb. 3), Minnesota (home, Jan. 6; away, Jan. 16), Wisconsin (home, Jan. 12; away, Feb. 14), Indiana (home, Jan. 30; away Feb. 27).
U-M's three home single games will be against Illinois (Thursday, Feb. 11), Rutgers (Thursday, Feb. 18) and Iowa (Thursday, March 4), while the away singles will be at Nebraska, Purdue (Friday, Jan. 22) and Ohio State (Sunday, Feb. 21). The Big Ten Tournament will return to the United Center in Chicago, Ill., Wednesday through Sunday, March 10-14.
There will be no public access at events due to Big Ten policy currently in effect. U-M fans are encouraged to support our students from home (#HailFromHome) safely and distantly. Fans should not gather in crowds or participate in "watch parties." The department continues to work with local, state and national health experts on best practices.
Student-athletes, family members in attendance, officials and game day staff will follow specific health and safety guidelines throughout Crisler Center and accompanying facilities to ensure a safe and enjoyable event.
