When Does Michigan Basketball Play Again? Next Game & Schedule

The University of Michigan men’s basketball team carries a legacy that stretches from the Fab Five era to national championships and Big Ten titles. For fans in Ann Arbor, across Michigan, and nationwide, knowing when the Wolverines take the court isn’t just about marking calendars—it’s about planning tailgates, coordinating watch parties, securing tickets before sellouts, and staying connected to a program that consistently competes at the highest level. This article delivers more than just dates: it provides context, logistical guidance, historical perspective, and actionable intelligence—so whether you’re a lifelong fan or a new student navigating Crisler Center for the first time, you’ll know exactly when Michigan plays next—and how to make the most of every game.

Next Game: Date, Opponent, Time & Broadcast Details

As of November 12, 2024, the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team’s next scheduled contest is:

This home nonconference matchup marks Michigan’s third game of the 2024–25 season. The Wolverines opened with a win over Northern Kentucky (73–59) on November 4 and followed with a narrow 68–66 victory over North Carolina Central on November 8. With Eastern Michigan—a longtime regional rival—the stakes carry extra weight: the two programs have met 122 times since 1920, and Michigan leads the all-time series 91–31. A win would extend the Wolverines’ current home winning streak at Crisler Center to 14 consecutive games dating back to March 2024.

Full 2024–25 Regular Season Schedule Overview

Michigan’s 31-game regular season includes 19 Big Ten Conference contests and 12 nonconference matchups—seven of which are played at Crisler Center. The Wolverines open Big Ten play on December 4 at home against Illinois, then host Purdue on December 11 before embarking on their first true road swing beginning December 18 at Nebraska.

The schedule features three marquee nonconference events: the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in Nassau, Bahamas (November 27–29), where Michigan will face top-tier competition including potential matchups with Kansas, Texas Tech, or Gonzaga; the annual “The Duel” rivalry game versus Michigan State on January 25 at Crisler Center; and the Big Ten Tournament, scheduled for March 12–16, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Here’s how the season breaks down by month:

• November: 6 games (4 home, 2 neutral-site in Bahamas)
• December: 8 games (5 home, 3 away)
• January: 9 games (4 home, 5 away—including MSU, Wisconsin, and Iowa)
• February: 7 games (5 home, 2 away—featuring key clashes with Ohio State, Indiana, and Rutgers)
• March: 1 regular-season game (March 8 vs. Penn State at Crisler), then Big Ten Tournament

Notably, Michigan avoids playing on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve—both strategic decisions by the Big Ten to prioritize academic continuity and player recovery during winter break. Coach Dusty May has emphasized “intentional rest periods” as central to his staff’s philosophy, especially after last season’s run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.

How to Watch, Listen & Attend: Practical Access Guide

Securing access to Michigan basketball goes beyond checking a TV guide. Each viewing option comes with trade-offs in cost, convenience, and experience—and understanding those differences helps fans choose wisely.

“The single biggest shift we’ve seen since 2022 is the fragmentation of live coverage. Fans now need multiple subscriptions—not just one—to follow the full season.” — Dr. Mark Kellner, Director of Sports Media Research at the University of Michigan School of Information

Here’s what you need to know:

Television & Streaming

• B1G+ (Big Ten Plus): Free streaming service requiring registration. Carries nearly all non-Big Ten Network games—including home nonconference matchups like Eastern Michigan and most road games not selected for national broadcast.
• Big Ten Network (BTN): Available via cable, satellite, or streaming through providers like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo. Carries approximately 12–15 Michigan games per season, typically high-profile matchups (e.g., Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State).
• National Broadcasts: CBS, FOX, ESPN, and TNT rotate coverage of select Big Ten games. Michigan appeared on CBS twice last season and is slated for at least three national windows this year—including the January 25 “Duel” game against Michigan State, expected to air on FOX.

Radio & Audio

WTKA 1050 AM (Ann Arbor) and its statewide network of 22 affiliates carry every game with Jim Brandstatter and Jon Winroth on the call—a tradition spanning over four decades. Subscribers to the Michigan App can stream audio live, and archived broadcasts remain available for 72 hours post-game.

In-Person Attendance

Crisler Center seats 12,707 and operates on a mobile-ticketing-only system. General admission student tickets are free but require same-day digital reservation starting at 8:00 a.m. ET via the MGoBlue app. Non-student general public tickets start at $32 for nonconference games and rise to $95+ for premium Big Ten matchups. Season ticket renewals for 2024–25 sold out in under 48 hours in June.

Key Matchups & Rivalry Timeline: What to Circle on Your Calendar

While every game matters in the Big Ten’s ultra-competitive landscape, certain dates carry outsized significance—not only for conference standings but for recruiting visibility, national perception, and fan culture. Below is a step-by-step timeline of Michigan’s five most consequential games of the 2024–25 season, ranked by competitive weight and historical resonance.

1. November 28, 2024 — vs. Kansas (Battle 4 Atlantis, Nassau)
   Michigan’s first meeting with Kansas since the 2022 NCAA Tournament second round. A win here signals immediate elite-program credibility under Coach May and could vault the Wolverines into the Top 10 in the AP Poll.
2. December 11, 2024 — vs. Purdue (Crisler Center)
   Purdue returns star center Zach Edey’s successor, freshman phenom Braden Smith, who averaged 22.3 PPG in exhibition play. This is Michigan’s first chance to test its interior defense against elite size—and a likely preview of a potential Big Ten Tournament semifinal.
3. January 25, 2025 — vs. Michigan State (Crisler Center)
   The “Duel” remains the nation’s most-played rivalry in college basketball (117 meetings). Last season’s 74–72 overtime thriller drew 12.3 million viewers across platforms—the highest-rated regular-season college basketball game on FOX since 2018.
4. February 15, 2025 — at Ohio State (Value City Arena)
   A critical late-season road test. Since 2020, Michigan is 1–5 in Columbus—a statistic Coach May called “unacceptable” in his introductory press conference. Expect heightened intensity and a hostile environment.
5. March 8, 2025 — vs. Penn State (Crisler Center)
   The final regular-season home game serves as Senior Day. Look for pregame ceremonies honoring the departing class—including standout guard Kobe Bufkin, whose leadership helped stabilize the program during the transition from Juwan Howard to Dusty May.

Real-world impact of these games extends beyond wins and losses. After Michigan’s 2023 upset win over No. 1 Purdue in Crisler, local Ann Arbor restaurants reported a 37% increase in Saturday lunch traffic the following day—proof that basketball success ripples through the community economy.

FAQ: Answering What Fans Really Want to Know

How do I get student tickets for Michigan basketball?

Eligible U-M students must reserve tickets via the MGoBlue app each game day between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET. Reservations are first-come, first-served and limited to two tickets per student ID. You’ll receive a QR code 90 minutes before tip-off. Note: Students must present valid MCard for entry—and no re-entry is permitted once inside Crisler Center.

Are there any games Michigan won’t broadcast on B1G+?

No. Every Michigan men’s basketball game is streamed live on B1G+, regardless of TV assignment. Even games airing nationally on CBS or ESPN are simulcast on B1G+ for authenticated users. However, B1G+ does not offer DVR functionality or on-demand replays beyond the 72-hour archive window.

What happens if a game gets postponed due to weather or illness?

Per Big Ten policy, rescheduled games are slotted into the first available open date—usually midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday)—and announced within 48 hours of cancellation. In the 2023–24 season, Michigan had two games delayed due to winter storms; both were successfully moved to the following week without impacting postseason eligibility or tournament seeding.

Conclusion: Don’t Just Watch—Engage, Connect, and Own the Experience

Knowing when Michigan basketball plays again is the starting point—but what transforms a spectator into a steward of the program is intentionality. It’s showing up early to hear the band rehearse the “Hail to the Victors” trumpet fanfare. It’s discussing film breakdowns with fellow fans on Reddit’s r/MaizeandBlue before tip-off. It’s recognizing that every basket, every assist, every defensive stop contributes to a legacy that began in 1909 and continues to evolve with every generation of student-athletes.

Dusty May didn’t inherit a rebuilding project—he inherited a standard. And the schedule laid out here isn’t just a list of dates and opponents; it’s an invitation to participate in something larger than any single game. Whether you’re watching from Section 112 or from your living room in Grand Rapids, your presence matters. Your voice matters. Your commitment—season after season—fuels the energy that makes Crisler Center one of the toughest environments in college basketball.

So mark your calendar for Friday, November 15. Set your alarm for 6:45 p.m. ET. Wear your maize and blue with pride—not as costume, but as covenant. Because when the Wolverines take the floor again, they don’t just represent a university. They represent you.