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A rematch awaits
Michigan, UConn reportedly set to meet for a Nov. 6 showdown in Boston giving fans a rare championship rematch. Plus: Gonzaga adds another impact big man, St. John's gets its 4th international pro, Utah State picks up a defensive whiz, NBA Draft Combine stats, and more.
Sean Paul
May 13, 2026
Good morning! For those who think college basketball’s non-conference schedule needs marquee games, you’re in luck.
In partnership with D1.relocation
1. Michigan, UConn headed for 2026 rematch
We’ve got a massive non-conference matchup slate for early November. We’ll see if it draws in casual fans.
Michigan and UConn — yes, a rematch of the 2026 national title game — will face off on Nov. 6 at Boston’s TD Arena, per CBS Sports. That it’s two of the sport’s biggest brands, coming off a showdown on a national stage is terrific for the sport.
Even better is that a title rematch is a rarity in college basketball, the most recent being Michigan vs. Villanova in 2018. From CBS Sports, there have only been 10 rematches since 1996. (Teams with an asterisk won both the national title and the ensuing rematch.)
Roster-wise, Michigan and UConn will look a bit different. The Huskies will return two starters in Silas Demary and Braylon Mullins. Michigan likely only gets Elliot Cadeau back, while Trey McKenney will slide into a starting role.
Props to coaches Dusty May and Dan Hurley for making this happen. That it’s on a Friday in November? Hey, clear your schedule now.
Things will only get stiffer for the Huskies, who play a handful of challenging non-con games. Meanwhile, Michigan will look to repeat as Players' Era festival champions.
In other scheduling news:
The Big Ten released its schedule of conference opponents. Every team will play a 20-game schedule. Dates and times will be finalized later.
The Ivy League will adjust Ivy Madness to a Friday/Saturday slate due to the NCAA Tournament expansion.
The “Dallas Tournament” is taking shape with eight teams committed to the Dec. 18-21 event.
Auburn and Wisconsin announced a Dec. 19 game in Nashville.
Saint Louis and High Point will start a home-and-home series next season.
Butler added home games against Fairleigh Dickinson and Western Carolina.
2. Gonzaga’s going BIG next season
Mark Few dipped back into his international recruiting bag for his latest big man.
