Basketball vs Kentucky in London next year (and then home/home in 22/23 seasons)
December 5th, 2019 at 11:43 AM ^
I just moved to London, BRB seeing if I can buy tickets to this already.
December 5th, 2019 at 1:11 PM ^
Not yet. June and July of next year.
December 6th, 2019 at 8:34 AM ^
Thanks. Putting calendar reminder in now.
December 5th, 2019 at 11:45 AM ^
I've always wanted to visit London. I've just never wanted to visit London in... December.
ETA: The O2 is booked on Friday, December 4, 2020, and Friday, December 18, 2020. My guess would be the game will be Saturday, December 12.
December 5th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^
Might be able to get tickets to the Yule Ball while you're there though
Edit: wow, no Harry Potter fans here I guess? Blimey.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:29 PM ^
We went to Europe in late November and early December in 2016, and it was probably the favorite of all our Europe trips.
The crowds are a lot smaller and the holiday markets are incredible. Nothing gets you in the spirit like hearing ancient Christmas hymns sung in an 800 year old cathedral (assuming Christmas is your holiday of choice of course).
I’m half considering another trip next year to see this game and do some more sightseeing.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^
Your post makes me want to consider going for this. An old world Christmas is something that I'd like to experience once. I can just imagine some of the great holiday markets in Germany or Austria with all the fantastic Christmas crafts, drinks, food, etc.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
London in December is fine.
It's cold, damp, and dark just like Michigan is. Given how much California transplants bitch about the winters here in Denver, I could see someone not from a colder climate being hesitant to visit England in the winter -- but it's not bad at all.
Last time I went in the winter, couldn't find a decent place to stay so found a town SW of the city and took the train in for work and sightseeing.
December 5th, 2019 at 3:05 PM ^
It's also significantly warmer than Michigan in the winter - snow is quite rare. A lot of winter days are 45-50 degrees.
The worst part is the darkness. The UK is very far north and winter days are really short.
December 6th, 2019 at 1:33 AM ^
It’s truly magical, and you should definitely make the trip. We spent time at the markets in Prague, Salzburg, and Munich. All were amazing.
Salzburg even has a market in the courtyard of their ancient castle, up on the hill overlooking the city. It’s pretty spectacular.
And the winter time food in those places? Unreal. Especially if you like hearty meat and potato type dishes. A little jagerschnitzel with dumplings and red cabbage on the side. All washed down with a liter of dunkel. Doesn’t get much better!
December 5th, 2019 at 11:47 AM ^
Wow. I really like this. A game in London, in Ann Arbor, and at Kentucky. In that order.
I also was fascinated to hear about Juwan Howard's relationship with Calipari. Very interesting.
Thanks for posting this.
December 5th, 2019 at 11:49 AM ^
Interesting..... that's one word for it, I guess.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:27 PM ^
Really damn cool is another. A home and home with a top 3 basketball program and a 3rd international non-conference game is awesome. What about it could you possibly be negative about?
December 5th, 2019 at 1:37 PM ^
It was a joke about Juwan Howard's "long standing relationship with John Calipari."
I love the match-up. Wasn't being negative, kidding around.
December 5th, 2019 at 2:13 PM ^
Top 3? C'mon. UK is All-time winningest program in terms of # of wins and win %; they've put more fans in the seats by a wide margin than any other program; they have 2nd highest number of championships only to UCLA; 17 Final fours; their facilities are top shelf and their fan base is insane (think Ohio State football x 2 - and that's no exaggeration). Not to mention the explosion of NBA talent since Calipari arrived dwarfs everybody else. Easily the all-time Top CBB program and really not all that close when you consider all factors.
December 7th, 2019 at 12:31 PM ^
UNC and Duke are both better.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:26 PM ^
Yup. Cal reached out to some college coaches, including Martelli, so Howard could speak with them before his UM interview. Howard & Martelli talked the day before Howard's interview. After the interview Howard & Martelli got a bunch of background info on each other, then interviewed. I'm sure Cal gave Howard great insight on Martelli too. See: https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/phil-martelli-michigan-juwan-howard-calipari-izzo-beilein-20190604.html
December 5th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^
Calipari helped Juwan hire his staff
December 5th, 2019 at 11:49 AM ^
This is interesting, I wonder if the NCAA is looking to add Oxford and Cambridge to the Ivy league to make it a 10 School Conference, otherwise I don't get this at all.
The home and home is cool on many levels, especially recruiting.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:03 PM ^
I think we could replace Nebraska and Rutgers with Oxford and Cambridge and nobody would know the difference.
December 5th, 2019 at 4:24 PM ^
I like to imagine Oxford and Cambridge politely turned Jim Delany down.......and that's how it happened.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:17 PM ^
Well you get a home and home with a huge name brand. So nationally-telivised game, good competition, good for recruiting. Somewhat local so fans can drive to Kentucky or get a cheap flight. Haven't hosted them in any time that I can remember, and the players get to play in a classic arena/hostile environment.
They can also recruit kids from Kentucky and mention this series as bait to play their local team/in front of the home crow
As for the game in London, the team gets to tell recruits they can play/travel to London now and use it as an example for the future. They also will have home court in London due to Michigan's global alumni and deep pockets.
I literally can't think of any negative besides Kentucky being able to beat us.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:28 PM ^
Also, UCLA famously (or infamously if we’re talking about arrests) played in China. It’s about money, Europe is a big untapped market and the NCAA loves it’s money.
December 5th, 2019 at 1:17 PM ^
Justin Fields was thinking of transferring to Oxford until he discovered he had to actually go to class.
December 5th, 2019 at 2:09 PM ^
That was Oxford Mississippi, until someone called him a name.
December 5th, 2019 at 11:50 AM ^
What the fuck is this shit? Is Michigan a bunch of scrubs or something!?
December 5th, 2019 at 12:00 PM ^
Haters gonna hate - trolling continues to prove that we are relevant
December 5th, 2019 at 12:10 PM ^
It’s the New York Times.
Is literally anyone surprised that they’re wrong?
December 5th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^
Actually yes considering that NY is full of Michigan alums including those in media.
Michigan is way more of a known commodity there than Kentucky. That’s for damn sure.
December 5th, 2019 at 1:18 PM ^
Less wrong than Mlive, but no, not surprised
December 5th, 2019 at 8:34 PM ^
If you consider that:
(a) Kentucky has the second-most NCAA men’s basketball championships (eight) behind UCLA’s 11, while Michigan has only as many NCAA men’s basketball championships as City College of New York (one) LINK, and
(b) Kentucky has the most men’s basketball wins in history, while Michigan isn’t among the top 50 schools for men’s basketball wins in history LINK,
then having The New York Times (or any other major newspaper outside of Michigan) consider Kentucky as one of the top universities in the sport of men’s basketball, but not thinking of Michigan as one of the top universities in the sport shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Let's not forget that New York City is a pro sports city and college sports receives substantially less coverage in The New York Times than professional sports do.
December 6th, 2019 at 12:00 AM ^
Sure, NYT is the most internationally famous newpaper in the world. Unlike the propaganda new factory Fox
December 5th, 2019 at 2:11 PM ^
For a minute I thought they were talking about football.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:05 PM ^
I think this hits all the check boxes for those who care about SOS and recruiting.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:06 PM ^
Great job of scheduling. Wouldn’t be as big a fan without the home and home
December 5th, 2019 at 1:39 PM ^
December 5th, 2019 at 12:10 PM ^
This seems like a good idea. My only concern is the international travel and any games that bookend it. Hoping we have adequate time to get legs back and adjust to time changes.
December 5th, 2019 at 1:13 PM ^
Timing is good for that. This is around the time where you play your last good team before playing 2 or 3 cupcakes with huge gaps between games.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:12 PM ^
This game counts as an exemption since it’s international I believe.
I’ve always been a fan of getting the home and home with Duke restarted once again. Kinda went away when things got bad here.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:28 PM ^
What do you mean by exemption?
December 5th, 2019 at 12:13 PM ^
Gonna go out on a limb and guess there are more Michigan alums in London than UK alums.
December 5th, 2019 at 12:47 PM ^
Oh I don't know, on a given day there are probably plenty of Irish visiting London
December 5th, 2019 at 1:15 PM ^
What?
December 5th, 2019 at 2:49 PM ^
UK could also mean United Kingdom
December 5th, 2019 at 4:31 PM ^
And . . . what does that have to do with Irish people?
December 5th, 2019 at 4:44 PM ^
Belfast
December 5th, 2019 at 12:32 PM ^
Ah yes, as usual I go to the New York Times for my breaking sports news.