Wolverines Announce 2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule
9/4/2026 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The defending national champion University of Michigan men's basketball team announced its 2026-27 non-conference schedule on Friday (Sept. 4), highlighted by three preseason exhibitions, marquee matchups in Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit, and a return to Las Vegas as the defending Players Era champions.
Michigan will open its preseason slate at Crisler Center against Eastern Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 11, when former U-M assistant coach Billy Donlon brings his Eagles to Ann Arbor for a battle of Washtenaw County.
The preseason closes with Michigan facing national power Houston in The Battleground 2k26, a neutral-site exhibition, at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Sunday (Oct. 25).
"We're excited for the challenges our non-conference schedule provides us," said David and Meredith Kaplan Men's Basketball Head Coach Mike Boynton Jr. "We feel it gives us a strong variety of games as we build and prepare for the rigors of Big Ten play. With several tough games away from Ann Arbor, our team will have opportunities to grow and be tested early in the season. At the same time, we're looking forward to bringing quality opponents and games to Crisler Center for our fans."
The Wolverines officially begin the regular season on Monday, Nov. 2, against Oakland at Crisler Center before heading to Boston three days later for a national championship game rematch against UConn at TD Garden. The return bout with the Huskies is set for Friday, Nov. 6, as part of the Naismith Hall of Fame Series.
Starting a home-and-home series with Marquette in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Wolverines will host William & Mary on Sunday (Nov. 15) before potentially playing five straight games away from home.
First, Michigan heads to Philadelphia for a return matchup with Villanova at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday, Nov. 21, before heading to Las Vegas to defend its 2025 Players Era championship.
The Maize and Blue opens its Players Era slate against Creighton on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at T-Mobile Arena. After a day off, U-M will square off against either TCU or Miami in a Thanksgiving Day matchup. The Wolverines' remaining placement games will be determined by results, with the semifinals scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27, and a potential matchup against Alabama, Baylor, Gonzaga or Kansas State.
If the Wolverines prevail in all three Players Era matchups, they will qualify for the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Michelob ULTRA Arena. If U-M does not advance to the championship game, the Wolverines will return to Ann Arbor to host Mississippi Valley State at Crisler Center on Tuesday (Dec. 1). Should Michigan advance to the title game, the matchup with MVSU will not be played.
Michigan's December non-conference slate includes a neutral-site matchup with Louisville at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 5, followed by home games against Detroit Mercy on Monday, Dec. 21, and Toledo on Wednesday, Dec. 30. The Wolverines will have their annual pair of early Big Ten games -- one home and one away during the Dec. 6-13 window, with dates, opponents and locations to be announced.
The 20-game Big Ten schedule, game times and television designations will be announced at a later date.
