What to know:
Defending national champion Michigan Wolverines will face Louisville in a college basketball showdown.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, at noon EST.
Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The game will air on NBC and Peacock.
The Wolverines will enter the season under new head coach Mike Boynton Jr. Returning players include Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney, and Roddy Gayle Jr. Michigan has also added transfers J.P. Estrella from Tennessee and Moustapha Thiam from Cincinnati.
Louisville leads the all-time series 4-1. The Cardinals won the teams’ most recent meeting, 58-43, in 2019, and defeated Michigan in the 2013 NCAA championship game.
DETROIT — Defending national champion Michigan Wolverines will face Louisville in a college basketball matchup at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The game is scheduled to tip off at noon EST on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, and will be televised on NBC and Peacock.
The matchup will feature two programs expected to be ranked among the nation’s top 25 when the season begins in November.
Michigan will enter the season under new head coach Mike Boynton Jr.
The Wolverines return Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney, and Roddy Gayle Jr. from last season’s championship team and have added transfers J.P. Estrella from Tennessee and Moustapha Thiam from Cincinnati.
Boynton said the matchup will be a challenge but will benefit the team, its fans, downtown Detroit and college basketball.
Louisville coach Pat Kelsey is preparing for his third season leading the Cardinals.
Louisville added several transfers this offseason, including Jackson Shelstad from Oregon, Karter Knox from Arkansas, Álvaro Folguieras from Iowa, and Flory Bidunga from Kansas.
Former North Carolina player Seth Trimble could also strengthen Louisville’s backcourt if he receives eligibility for a fifth season.
The Dec. 5 game will be just the sixth meeting between Michigan and Louisville.
The Cardinals hold a 4-1 series advantage, including a 58-43 win in their most recent meeting in 2019.
Louisville also defeated Michigan in the 2013 NCAA championship game in Atlanta.
Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Eastern time Thursday, Oct. 15, through 313 Presents and the Ticketmaster app.
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