Michigan basketball will play at Arkansas this season, gets return visit from Razorbacks in 2012-13
The Michigan basketball team's non-conference schedule continues to take shape with the addition of another road game against a major conference opponent.
Arkansas announced Friday that the Wolverines will play in Fayetteville, Ark., on Jan. 21 and the Razorbacks will make a trip to Crisler Arena during the 2012-13 season.
"This a great matchup between two storied programs," Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said in a statement. "Coach John Beilein has done a very good job of elevating the Michigan program back to its championship status and this will be a great game to have at Bud Walton Arena.
Coach John Beilein, senior Stu Douglass (center) and the rest of the Wolverines will travel to Arkansas on Jan. 21.
AnnArbor.com file photo
"Michigan will probably be a top 25 team and one of the top teams in the Big Ten this year so to have a game of that caliber will be great for us and our fans."
According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Michigan will be the first Big Ten team to play at Arkansas' Bud Walton Arena, which opened during the 1993-94 season.
Michigan finished 21-14 last season and tied for fourth in the Big Ten. Arkansas was 18-12 and tied for third in the Southeastern Conference's West Division.
Michigan hasn't announced its 2011-12 schedule, other than its participation in the season-opening Maui Invitational, but a number of non-conference games have been disclosed.
Beilein confirmed the Wolverines will play a neutral site game against Oakland University at The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was also announced that they'll play at Virginia in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
Games at Crisler Arena will include Bradley (according to Braves' coach Geno Ford) and Iowa State (according to Cyclones' coach Fred Hoiberg).
Michigan has reportedly agreed to play road games at both Bradley and Iowa State in 2012-13.
Rich Rezler is a sports producer for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at richrezler@annarbor.com or 734-623-2553.
Comments
tater
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
It would be nice to see a few easier games for 2011-12, and it looks like they are headed in the right direction. Bradley hasn't been very good since Hersey Hawkins left. Iowa State has a decent "name," but haven't been very good since they fired Larry Eustachy. If Trey Burke has the goods and everyone is paying attention, these should be close to auto-wins. Between the Maui and the Big Ten, Michigan's schedule should be one of the toughest in the country. If they make the NCAA Tournament, they should definitely be "battle-tested."