Sources: Duke-Michigan game off; Texas Tech replaces Wolverines
The highly anticipated December 21st nonconference game between Duke and Michigan has been officially cancelled. The two programs were originally scheduled to meet at Madison Square Garden, but a dispute regarding broadcast rights forced both sides to look at alternative venues, including LoanDepot Park. Despite those efforts, the legal hurdles regarding where the game could be televised proved insurmountable, leaving no clear path forward for the matchup.
In the wake of this cancellation, Duke has finalized a new opponent for that date. The Blue Devils will now face Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden on December 21st. This meeting serves as a high-stakes rematch after the Red Raiders secured a close 82-81 victory at the same venue last December.
This game is part of a broader broadcasting agreement between Duke and Amazon Prime Video. While the matchup against Michigan is off, the rest of the exclusive series remains intact. Duke is still scheduled to play Connecticut in Las Vegas on November 25th and Gonzaga in Detroit on February 20th. All these contests are set to stream exclusively on Prime Video as part of the school's new enterprise partnership.
Duke remains a top contender in the national landscape for the upcoming season, holding the number two spot in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25. Coach Jon Scheyer has assembled a deep roster, adding high-level recruits and impact transfers to replace departing talent. Texas Tech continues to be a consistent force in the Big 12, having reached three consecutive NCAA tournaments under coach Grant McCasland. With forward JT Toppin expected to return to the court following his recovery from injury, the matchup in New York provides a major test for both programs.