Wolverines Releases 14-Game Non-Conference Schedule

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A father-son coaching match-up, two road contests against power conference foes and a holiday trip to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis highlight the 2015-16 non-conference schedule announced today (Monday, August 3) for the University of Michigan men's basketball team.

"As we do every year, we have another very difficult non-conference schedule," said U-M head coach John Beilein. "Each game provides unique opportunities for us to grow in preparation for Big Ten play.

"Hosting an outstanding Big East team like Xavier in the inaugural Gavitt Games will be exciting and very challenging. Away games at N.C. State and SMU will certainly help us prepare for our always tough Big Ten road contests. The Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas will give fans a March Madness feel over the Thanksgiving week. It is an exceptional field and we are fortunate to be part of it.

"As we learned last year, every non-conference opponent is dangerous and we will do our best to win every game possible. When it all shakes out at the end, we expect our overall strength of a schedule will be one of the best in the NCAA. We look forward to an exciting 2015-16 season."

Beilein opens the 2015-16 campaign facing his son, Patrick, in an exhibition game against Le Moyne on Nov. 6 at Crisler Center. Following in his father's footsteps, Patrick was named head coach of the Dolphins this past June. Beilein spent nine seasons at Le Moyne (1983-92) and is third all-time with 163 wins. The two Beilein's previously met on the hardwood in 2011 when Patrick served as the Director of Basketball Operations for Bradley.

"Kathleen and I are so proud of Patrick as he moves into this next stage of his coaching career. Having the opportunity of coaching against my son in one of his very first games at Le Moyne College will be a special moment for the both of us. A big question for this game will be, who will Kathleen root for?"

"This is a great opportunity for Le Moyne College basketball to play a program like the University of Michigan," said Patrick Beilein. "It will be a special moment coaching against my dad and his team. The exposure, experience and the level of competition is a win-win for our program and the College this season and in the future."

After opening the regular season against Northern Michigan on Nov. 13, U-M plays Elon on Nov. 16 as part of a preliminary mainland game for the Battle 4 Atlantis. Before heading to the Bahamas, U-M hosts Xavier in the inaugural Gavitt Games on Nov. 20.

U-M plays three of its five away games at the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas, on Nov. 25-27. With bracketing still being determined the holiday tournament field includes Charlotte, Connecticut, Gonzaga, Syracuse, Texas, Texas A&M and Washington. U-M's remaining road contests will be a trip to Raleigh, N.C., for an ACC/Big Ten Challenge match-up at N.C. State on Dec. 1, and a visit down south to Dallas, Texas, to face SMU on Dec. 8.

Michigan closes December with five of its final six regular season match-ups at Crisler Center including the finale against Bryant on Dec. 23 before the start of Big Ten play.

The Wolverines host Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers in conference play. Dates, tip times and television designations for Big Ten games will be announced later this summer, as will times and TV selection for the non-conference match-ups.

Season ticket renewals for 2015-16 will available online on Monday, August 3. Tickets may be renewed online at mgoblue.com/tickets (season renewals) or by calling (866) 296-6849. Ticket packs and non-conference individual game sales go on sale in early October, while conference individual games will be on sale in early November.