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

Memphis

Michigan basketball has played Memphis four times, splitting the matchups 2-2. The last meeting came in the 2011 Maui Invitational, a 73-61 Michigan victory.

However, the excitement around the next meeting would start with the head coaches.

Penny Hardaway and Juwan Howard were both All-Americans in college and NBA all-stars in the 1990s. Now, they are both head coaches at their alma maters.

They are also two of the best recruiters in the country. Since Hardaway was hired, Memphis has signed the #1 recruiting class in 2019, the #24 class in 2020, the #15 class in 2021, and currently, it has the #14 recruiting class in 2022.

Since Juwan Howard was hired, Michigan has signed the #14 recruiting class in 2020 as his full class, the #1 class in 2021, and currently, the Wolverines have the #13 class in 2022 following Tarris Reed’s commitment. Howard also secured a commitment from Franz Wagner in 2019.

A potential matchup with the Tigers would be great for NBA scouts as well as fans. With all the high-level talent each program is bringing in right now, there is likely to be a few future draft picks on the floor. For example, if Michigan played Memphis this season, that game would feature Caleb Houstan, Moussa Diabate, Hunter Dickinson, DeVante Jones, and Earl Timberlake.

There is still the possibility that Memphis adds #1 overall recruit and former Michigan target Jalen Duren as well. Additionally, for Michigan fans looking to check out a new city for a road trip, Memphis would be a cool city to visit.