The tea leaves continue to fall regarding the Michigan Wolverines’ non-conference basketball schedule in 2025. Michigan will host Wake Forest at Little Caesars Arena as part of the 2025 Wolverine-Deacon Challenge in November 11, 2025. Here are the details:
The tea leaves continue to fall regarding the Michigan Wolverines ’ non-conference basketball schedule in 2025.
After an extremely successful season in head coach Dusty May’s first year with the Michigan basketball program, the offseason has been no short of breaking news and exciting announcements, with the most recent one coming on Wednesday.
313 Presents officially announced that the Wolverines will be hosting the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, on November 11, 2025, as part of the second game in the Wolverine-Deacon Challenge .
While there were many close games in May’s first season, one that the Wolverines really thought they should have had back was the November 10th matchup against the Deacons in Greensboro, North Carolina, in which Michigan lost, 72-70, after leading by 13 points in the second half.
“After the thriller we had in Greensboro last season, we look forward to another chance to not only play a high-quality opponent early but to bring it to our backyard this time,” May said in the press release. “Hosting in downtown Detroit at Little Caesars Arena is not only special for us, but it’s special for the community. We look forward to showcasing our program on a big stage and continuing to build momentum early in the season.”
Despite the big win and starting 6-1, Wake Forest finished the 2024-2025 campaign 21-11, coming up just short of making the 2025 NCAA Tournament in a weak ACC Conference. The program decided to decline an invitation to the NIT, and head coach Steve Forbes set his sights on the next season.
The Deacons will be showcasing a pretty different roster from 2024, picking up two commitments from high school recruiting – four star guard Isaac Carr and three star guard Jaylen Cross – and Wake received five commitments from the transfer portal , four of them being rated as four star transfer recruits, including Purdue forward Myles Colvin.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines have the No. 2 rated transfer portal recruiting class , grabbing commitments from No. 1 ranked player Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois forward Morez Johnson Jr., North Carolina guard Elliot Cadeau, UCLA big man Andy Mara and five star incoming freshman Trey McKenney.
If last season was any indication, this matchup will be a good early season test for the Wolverines, and it will not only prepare them for Big Ten play but also for their non-conference matchups against fellow ACC program Duke and Big East juggernaut Villanova .
The Deacons are hungry to contend, and Michigan is eager to stay in the spotlight. These dueling storylines should make for a fun matchup.
Tickets go on sale Friday, June 6 at 10 a.m. at 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com .