NCAA Basketball: Top 15 non-conference games for state of Michigan teams
By Ryan Kay
8. Michigan vs. Arizona State, Pittsburgh, or VCU on November 16th and 17th in the Legends Classic in New York City
Michigan will participate for the third time in the Legends Classic. They first played in the non-conference tournament in 2010 but lost in the first round, however, they made it to the finals in 2014 where they lost to Villanova. The Wolverines look to win this tournament where they will be the favorites.
The bracket has not been released yet but they more than likely will play either Pitt or VCU in the first round. Arizona State will be Michigan’s biggest challenge but the Wolverines have the depth and talent to win this non-conference tournament and if they were not to, it would be a surprise.
7. Villanova at Michigan State on November 18th (Gavitt Games)
This will be the first time since 2000, that legendary coach Jay Wright will not be on the bench for the Wildcats. Villanova is considered to still be a top 15 team entering this season and they should contend for a Big East conference championship. New head coach Kyle Neptune was an assistant for the Wildcats from 2013-21 and he looks to continue the success that Wright had for Villanova for over two decades.
This game is at Michigan State and the Spartans are undefeated in the Gavitt games winning both games being victorious at Seton Hall and defeating Butler on the road. This game is on the Spartans’ home court gives Tom Izzo and his team a slight edge and they more than likely will be a favorite heading into this game but Villanova will look to win this game and improve their Gavitt games record to 3-2.
6. Virginia at Michigan on November 29th (ACC/Big Ten Challenge)
This is one of the top three matchups of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge as both teams should be preseason top 25 teams entering this season. Michigan is 8-12 in the Challenge while Virginia is 13-8 overall. The Cavilers lost by only one point to Iowa last season, while Michigan lost at North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The last time these two teams faced off against one another took place in the Challenge back in 2011 when Virginia defeated Michigan by 12.
This game will be on the Wolverines’ home court and Juwan Howard and his team should be ready to take on the Cavilers this game should be close but Michigan should be able to win this game. The Wolverines have made it to five consecutive Sweet Sixteen NCAA tournament appearances and they look to build their resume to get a good seed in the 2023 tournament and defeating Virginia helps with that.
5. Michigan State vs. Alabama and then North Carolina, Oregon, or UConn on November 24th through the 27th in the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland
The Phil Knight Invitational is stacked with blue blood, power five, well-known, and up-and-coming teams participating in the tournament with two separate brackets. The Spartans got a tough first-round opponent in Alabama who did very well in the off-season by adding key players through the high school ranks with their incoming class being ranked No. 3 in the nation and transfer portal who will contribute for the Razorbacks this season. If the Spartans were to win that game against a projected top 25 team in Alabama, they would have an uphill battle in playing high-end competition in the next two rounds of the tournament.
The Crimson Tide will be favored entering this game but the experience of the Michigan State team on a neutral court gives the Spartans a decent chance of pulling off the upset. Head coach Nate Oats has done well in his time in Tuscaloosa and has made Alabama one of the top programs in the SEC. This should be a good game to watch as both teams would benefit from a first-round victory in the Phil Knight Invitational.