FAYETTEVILLE – For the first time since its inception in 1995, Arkansas will play in ESPN’s annual Jimmy V Classic. The Razorbacks will face Michigan at 9 pm (ET)/8 pm (CT) on Dec. 10 (Tues.) at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Tennessee and Miami (Fla.) will be the first game of the doubleheader with that tipoff set for 6:30 pm (ET)/5:30 pm (CT). Both games will be televised on ESPN.
The Razorback-Wolverine game will pit former Florida Atlantic guard and current Razorback guard Johnell Davis versus his former FAU head coach and current Michigan mentor Dusty May. The pair led FAU to the 2023 Final Four and participated in last year’s Jimmy V Classic with the Owls, falling to Illinois, 98-89, on Dec. 5, 2023.
Tickets for the men’s doubleheader will go on sale this fall. First priority and access to the best seats will be offered to fans who sign up for the pre-sale through www.jimmyvclassic.com. Arkansas fans will receive information on purchasing a limited number of tickets at a later date.
While Arkansas is making its first appearance in the Jimmy V Classic, Razorback head coach John Calipari has coached in the event three times.
In fact, Calipari was part of the first Classic – then called The Men’s Classic and played at the Meadowlands – as head coach of UMass. The Minutemen defeated Georgia Tech, 75-67, on Dec. 22, 1995.
While head coach at Memphis, Calipari made two appearances in the Classic – both played at Madison Square Garden. The Tigers lost to Pitt, 70-51, on Dec. 7, 2004, and beat Southern Cal, 62-58, on Dec. 4, 2007.
Arkansas and Michigan have met on seven previous occasions with the Wolverines holding a slight 4-3 advantage in the series. One of those seven previous meetings was also played on ESPN in Madison Square Garden with Michigan defeating the Razorbacks, 77-62, in the 1997 NIT semifinals.
Arkansas is 3-8 all-time in Madison Square Garden, playing a playoff game to represent USA in the 1936 Olympics, a series of games in the 1940’s, two games in the 1997 NIT and two games in the 1990 Preseason NIT.
As a head coach, Calipari has played in Madison Square Garden on 27 previous occasions and posted a 15-12 record in the venue. Specifically, since 2000-01, Calipari’s teams have played at least one game in the Garden in 14 of the last 24 years.
The Jimmy V Classic, named for legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano, annually raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The men’s classic began in 1995 and is in its 30th year – 21st at Madison Square Garden. The women’s event debuted in 2002. Both events are part of ESPN’s V Week initiative, which utilizes platforms to talk to sports fans about the importance of cancer research. To date, ESPN has helped raise more than $236 million dollars for the V Foundation since 1993. ESPN’s annual V Week has helped to raise nearly $89 million over the past 17 years.
FROM THE COACHES
Arkansas Head Coach John Calipari
“The Jimmy V Classic is a great event that is played in perhaps the most iconic venue in the world – Madison Square Garden. More importantly, ESPN and the Jimmy V Foundation use this showcase in their unbelievable job in the fight against cancer, and we are excited to do our part in raising awareness. Michigan will challenge our team and help prepare us as we build toward SEC play and into the postseason. I know our fans are looking forward to making the trip and contributing to what is always a great atmosphere. Personally, this will be my first time coaching in the Classic since 2007, so we are honored to once again be a part of such a premier event.”
Michigan Head Coach Dusty May
"Playing in the Jimmy V Classic for a second straight year is not only an honor, but a special opportunity for our program. The city, the atmosphere, and playing in the Garden is a tremendous experience for our team and Michigan fans. However, it's not just about a game against Arkansas. It's about bringing continued awareness for the research that needs to be done, so hopefully one day we can rid the world of this disease."
Miami Head Coach Jim Larrañaga
“We are incredibly honored and excited to participate in the 2024 Jimmy V Classic. The event not only features elite competition, but more importantly raises money and awareness for cancer research. Jimmy V was an outstanding basketball coach, a good friend and an even better person, so it is a privilege to play in an event that carries on his legacy.”
Tennessee’s Rick Barnes
"The Jimmy V Classic is a special event, not just because of the high quality of basketball it displays annually, but because of the name and the cause behind it. We are honored to be participating in this year's edition. It will be a thrill for our players to compete at Madison Square Garden, while facing a veteran and well-coached Miami team will help prepare us for the rigors of SEC play."
ARKANSAS-MICHIGAN SERIES
12/30/1966 Arkansas vs Michigan Los Angeles (Los Angeles Classic) ARK L, 77-82
12/06/1980 #11 Arkansas at Michigan Ann Arbor, Mich. ARK L W, 65-78
11/28/1981 #18 Arkansas vs Michigan FAYETTEVILLE ARK W, 83-72
03/27/1994 #1 Arkansas vs #11 Michigan Dallas (NCAA Elite 8) ARK W, 76-68
03/25/1997 Arkansas vs Michigan NYC - Madison Square Garden ARK L, 62-77
01/21/2012 Arkansas vs #20 Michigan FAYETTEVILLE ARK W, 66-64
12/08/212 Arkansas at #3 Michigan Ann Arbor, Mich. ARK L, 64-80
ARKANSAS IN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
04/03/1936 Arkansas vs Hollywood Universal US Olympic Trials 1st Rd ARK, L, 29-40
12/28/1943 Arkansas vs City College of New York ARK W, 39-37
12/16/1944 Arkansas vs City College of New York ARK W, 59-47
12/15/1945 Arkansas vs New York University ARK L, 62-63
12/07/1946 Arkansas vs New York University ARK L, 46-67
12/11/1947 Arkansas vs New York University ARK L, 62-85
12/09/1948 Arkansas vs Long Island University ARK L, 42-56
11/21/1990 #2 Arkansas vs #6 Duke Preseason NIT Semifinal ARK W, 98-88
11/23/1990 #2 Arkansas vs #3 Arizona Preseason NIT Championship ARK L, 77-89
03/25/1997 Arkansas vs Michigan NIT Final Four Semifinal ARK L, 62-77
03/27/1197 Arkansas vs UConn NIT Final Four Consolation ARK L, 64-74