5 home-and-home opponents I would like to see for Michigan basketball

Notre Dame

Michigan and Notre Dame have a historic rivalry on the football field, but it is currently on hiatus until 2033. There have only been 17 meetings in basketball, 12 of them being Michigan wins.

There is the ACC/Big Ten Challenge challenge, but given the current trajectory of the programs, it is unlikely that a matchup will happen that way. However, there is room in the schedule to create an annual matchup.

In the regular season the ACC and Big Ten both have 20 conference games, which leaves about 10-12 games on the nonconference schedule. Michigan could easily slot Notre Dame in as an annual nonconference opponent. It would benefit the Wolverines on multiple fronts.

Notre Dame has not made the NCAA tournament in the last four seasons, but they are also not too far removed from back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 2015 and 2016. Adding Notre Dame to Michigan basketball’s schedule would boost its SOS more than a guarantee home game against a mid-major.

In most years, Notre Dame will be a Quad 1 or Quad 2 opponent, which would boost Michigan’s position in the NET rankings. That would help Michigan whether it is on the bubble or fighting for a top seed. Notre Dame would also be a quality nonconference opponent to help the Wolverines get ready for Big Ten play.

Lastly, it is not difficult to ask Michigan fans to root against Notre Dame. Personally, I enjoy Michigan beating Notre Dame in football more than Michigan State.

There is also a hockey rivalry with 151 meetings (Michigan 83-63-5) dating back to 1923. I think it would be very easy to naturally create a rivalry in basketball as well.

A basketball game against Notre Dame would have a lot of juice and would provide another opportunity to sell out the Crisler Center.