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Michigan, Villanova reportedly finalizing home-and-home series beginning with 2025-26 game in Ann Arbor

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•05/29/25•

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Michigan Villanova
Michigan Wolverines basketball beat Villanova in 2018-19. (Photo by Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines basketball is finalizing an agreement to begin a home-and-home series with Villanova, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. The first meeting will take place at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor in 2025-26 and the return game at Villanova in 2026-27.

The dates for both games are to be determined.

The Wolverines posted a 13-3 record at Crisler Center last season, the first year under head coach Dusty May.

Michigan is 1-3 all time against Villanova, with the last meeting coming in the 2022 Sweet 16, a 63-55 Wildcat win in San Antonio.

The most notable matchup was the 2018 national championship game, with Villanova beating Michigan 79-62. The Wolverines have made two title games since 2013, while Villanova won two of three national championships from 2016-18.

Michigan enacted revenge — though the stakes were much lower — the following season, blowing out Villanova 73-46 in Philadelphia. The first meeting came Nov. 25, 2014, when the Wildcats beat the Wolverines 60-55 in Brooklyn.

While Michigan is coming off a No. 10 finish in the Associated Press poll following a 27-win season that included a Big Ten Tournament championship and Sweet 16 berth, Villanova is in a state of transition. The Wildcats fired head coach Kyle Neptune after missing the NCAA Tournament each of his three seasons on the job after taking over for the legendary Jay Wright.

Villanova hired Kevin Willard from Maryland as Neptune’s replacement. Willard is coming off a 27-9 season with the Terrapins, leading them to the Sweet 16. Michigan went 1-1 against his team last season. Willard spent three seasons at Maryland following a long run at Seton Hall (2011-22).

Michigan’s non-conference schedule is coming together. The Wolverines will face Wake Forest at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit Nov. 11, at TCU (TBD), participate in The Players Era Festival in Las Vegas the week of Thanksgiving and take part in a February game against Duke in Washington D.C.

Michigan received its Big Ten schedule draw, and the dates of each game are still to be announced.

Home: Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
Away: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Northwestern, Oregon, Purdue, Washington
Home/Away: Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State

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