Arkansas men’s basketball team to play Michigan in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden
FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas men’s basketball team is reportedly set for its first major national event under new coach John Calipari. According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the Razorbacks will face Michigan at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York, as confirmed by multiple sources. This marks the first nonconference game announcement since Calipari was hired on April 10.
Rothstein also reported that Tennessee will play Miami at the event. While the exact date for the Jimmy V Classic hasn’t been confirmed, it is typically held in early December. This news comes shortly after Calipari provided scheduling updates at the SEC Spring Meetings in Miramar Beach, Fla.
Calipari hinted at a game at Madison Square Garden and mentioned potential nonconference games in North Little Rock and Dallas, along with a possible home-and-away series. Arkansas last played at Madison Square Garden in 1997, losing to Michigan and Connecticut in the NIT. They also played there during the 1990 Preseason NIT, where they defeated Duke but lost to Arizona.
Calipari has been in talks with ESPN and CBS about participating in their events.
The SEC has announced conference opponents and locations, with times and dates to be released later.
The Rady Children’s Invitational, initially set to include Arkansas, officially announced Thursday that the Razorbacks had withdrawn, following reports from May 16.
Michigan, now under coach Dusty May (formerly of Florida Atlantic), hired after FAU’s first-round overtime NCAA Tournament loss to Northwestern, will bring a talented recruiting class to the event. This class includes FAU big man Vlad Goldin, former Yale forward Danny Wolf, and former Auburn guard Tre Donaldson.
Reports had linked Arkansas signee Johnell Davis, who played for May at FAU, before he committed to the Razorbacks.
Calipari has recruited a star-studded class since taking over a roster that previously included only walk-on Lawson Blake. He has secured commitments from transfers Davis, Zvonimir Ivisic (Kentucky), Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee), Adou Thiero (Kentucky), and DJ Wagner (Kentucky), along with freshmen Karter Knox, Johnuel “Boogie” Fland, and Billy Richmond.
During a press conference in Florida, Calipari mentioned he plans to sign one more player.
