Michigan basketball's nonconference clash with Duke called off
· Yahoo Sports
Michigan basketball’s rematch against Duke next season has been called off.
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It’s the latest and final twist since the marquee matchup between the two likely preseason top-10 teams was revealed in April before complications arose.
The game was originally announced to be played on Dec. 21 at Madison Square Garden in New York, as part of an innovative three-game deal Duke signed with Amazon’s Prime Video, a streaming service that would air the contest.
That last part reportedly caused issues and led to pushback from the Big Ten’s television partners because of territorial broadcast rights. In early June, reports indicated the matchup would be shifted to Miami’s loanDepot Park, home of the MLB’s Marlins, to avoid the TV snafu. And part of the move was based on former coach Dusty May’s relationship with the Marlins’ team owner.
But May’s departure for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks threw another wrench in the plans for the Wolverines and Blue Devils to square off for a second straight season, after Duke handed Michigan just one of its three losses last season in Washington, D.C.
On Friday, CBS Sports and ESPN reported that the game that was in the works for months now won’t be played at all. According to CBS Sports, Michigan and Duke “decided in recent days to walk away from the game due to the ongoing complexities with pulling off the matchup under unique circumstances.”
Duke will play Texas Tech on Dec. 21 instead, while Michigan will look to find another opponent. The Wolverines are set to face UConn in Boston, play at least three games in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas, visit Villanova, and host Marquette and Oakland as part of their nonconference schedule.
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan basketball's nonconference clash with Duke called off