Michigan basketball is set to add another blueblood to its schedule.
The Wolverines are in the process of finalizing a two-year deal with Louisville, a program source with knowledge of the plans confirmed to the Free Press. The plan is to play in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena this season, with a “return” trip to be played next season in Indianapolis.
Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) celebrates a play against Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) during the second half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
This season’s game could potentially be played Dec. 5, though the teams are still finalizing the dates.
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This appears to be an ACC replacement for a matchup with Duke in December. That game against the Blue Devils was nixed after being originally scheduled for New York then Miami.
It’s yet another big-time name Michigan will play in a schedule that already includes an exhibition against Houston, and nonconference games against UConn (in a rematch of April’s national championship game), Villanova and Marquette. That’s in addition to the Wolverines’ participation in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving week; U-M’s slate in that tourney features an opener vs. Creighton followed by a Day 2 matchup with either Miami (Florida) or TCU and a third game against Gonzaga, Kansas State, Baylor or Alabama.
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. speaks at his introductory press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. speaks at his introductory press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. speaks at his introductory press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. speaks at his introductory press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. speaks at his introductory press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. speaks at his introductory press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. speaks at his introductory press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton Jr. speaks at his introductory press conference at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
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Mike Boynton Jr. makes 1st appearance as Michigan basketball coach
A 2026 National Championship banner outside of Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
The Wolverines had the toughest schedule in the nation last season, but that didn’t stop them from going 37-3, winning the Big Ten regular-season championship and the second national championship in program history.
Michigan and Louisville have met three times this century, most notably in the 2013 national championship game, which U-M lost, 82-76.
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Michigan is 1-2 in those games, with the win coming 73-69 in Indianapolis in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, when Mo Wagner scored 26 as U-M overcame a nine-point second-half deficit to go to the Sweet 16.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at ap******@*******ss.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball set to add Louisville to 2026-27 schedule
