Report: Arkansas, Michigan, Tennessee, Miami will make up 2024 Jimmy V Classic field

Major college basketball scheduling news was announced Thursday afternoon when Jon Rothstein reported the field for the 2024 Jimmy V Classic.

The following teams are set to compete at Madison Square Garden this coming fall/winter with two matchups encompassing the event: Arkansas vs. Michigan, and Tennessee vs. Miami.

Here was Rothstein’s report of those pairings for 2024:

“Arkansas will play Michigan and Miami will face Tennessee in the 2024 Jimmy V Classic at MSG, multiple sources told College Hoops Today. There is no timetable on an official announcement, but the event is usually held at some point in early December.”

That’s a very solid field with some of the biggest names and programs squaring off at the mecca. Of course, the headlines will be juicy and the action electric in that first Arkansas vs. Michigan game.

For starters, you have brand new coaches at both schools and John Calipari’s inaugural campaign with the Hogs could be the single-most captivating storyline of the 2024-25 season. To add fuel to the drama, Calipari’s top transfer addition thus far is Johnell Davis, an FAU stalwart who enjoyed immense success under new Michigan coach Dusty May, the former leader of the Owls.

Both squads are revamped through the portal and other recruiting means, with Calipari taking several of his Kentucky players and recruits along with him. Meanwhile, May has his own ace from FAU, lead scorer off the 2023-24 team, Vladislav Goldin, to headline a formidable front-court overall for the Wolverines.

On the other hand, Tennessee vs. Miami offers a matchup of veterans who’ve been at the top of the game lately. Rick Barnes took the Vols to the Elite Eight last season and Jim Larranaga accomplished that feat in the two prior years. Now, they’ll meet in Madison Square Garden with both programs featuring solid rosters.

Tennessee completely rebuilt their front-line but still have plenty of talent on the perimeter to believe they’ll be in the mix in the SEC again. Meanwhile, Miami gets Nijel Pack and Matthew Cleveland back along with some top-flight newcomers to give them a very strong starting five heading into the year.

Overall, the 2024 field offers a blend of some major names, but perhaps not blue blood in the college hoops world. However, there’s a very real scenario where all four of these teams are ranked come December. The late and legendary Jim Valvano will be honored with a tremendous display.