Report: Arkansas to take place at Madison Square Garden….
Dusty May and John Calipari, two of the hottest names that changed coaching positions during this offseason carousel, will face off against each other in the upcoming campaign.
The 2024 Jimmy V Classic will pit May and the Michigan Wolverines against Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks, according to a report from CBS Sports College Basketball analyst Jon Rothstein.
In that game, May will face a well-known opponent in former Florida Atlantic guard Johnell Davis, who has committed to Arkansas. Before he signed with Arkansas, the Owls’ previous top scorer was reportedly linked to May and Michigan. Davis will take on Vlad Goldin, the new center for Michigan, a former teammate.
Although a date for the game has not yet been announced, the Jimmy V Classic is often held in early December, as Rothstein noted.
The non-conference showcase also features a matchup between Miami and Tennessee.
One of the most storied basketball stadiums ever, Madison Square Garden in New York City, will host the game. The Wolverines enjoyed success the last time they visited MSG. In November, the Wolverines defeated Rick Pitino and the St. John’s Red Storm, which was probably Michigan’s most spectacular victory of the previous season, though that doesn’t say much considering U-M won eight games.
The last time the Wolverines played a squad led by John Calipari, it was in London in 2022–23, where Michigan lost to Kentucky.
We’ve heard of other non-conference tests for the Wolverines this offseason besides this one. We do know that from November 25–27, Michigan will play two South Carolina teams, Xavier and Virginia Tech, in the Fort Myers Tip-Off. The Big Ten schedule for Michigan is also known, and it includes two matchups with each of Michigan State, Purdue, and Rutgers.
Playing games at neutral venues against strong clubs at the beginning of the season is the ideal method to put your team to the test. He’s been doing that with the Spartans for decades; just ask Tom Izzo.
Bravo to May and the Michigan staff for stepping up and being willing to try out for non-conference games. With a team full of unfamiliar players, May should be able to learn a few things from this battle.
