Michigan basketball to face Creighton in Players Era opener; full bracket set
The path to defending its Players Era title and another big payday in Las Vegas has been laid out for Michigan basketball. The Wolverines learned their draw for the early-season tournament Thursday and will play Creighton on Nov. 24 in their first of at least three games.
The event will move to a new format with an expanded field of 24 teams — up from 18 last season — split into two separate bracket-play tournaments over the course of two weeks. Michigan will be part of a 16-team field dubbed the Players Era 16 that plays Thanksgiving week, along with Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Maryland, Miami (Florida), Oregon, San Diego State, St. John’s, TCU, Tennessee and Texas Tech.
Michigan’s side of the bracket includes Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Kansas State, Miami and TCU. The Wolverines will face either TCU or Miami on Nov. 26 — no games will be played Nov.
25 — and will play a third game Nov. 27 against another team from their side of the bracket. If Michigan wins its bracket, it will advance to the championship to face the winner of the other bracket Nov.
28. Only the two teams who reach the title game will play a fourth contest. All games will be played at T-Mobile Arena and Michelob Ultra Arena, and tip times will be announced at a later date.