Wolverines Face St. John’s at Madison Square Garden Showdown

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Wolverines Face St. John’s at Madison Square Garden Showdown

The University of Michigan’s seventh-ranked men’s basketball team is set to face No. 5 St. John’s in a highly anticipated exhibition game. The matchup will take place at Madison Square Garden, New York City, on Saturday, October 25, with the tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Coverage will be available on B1G+, featuring play-by-play commentator Bob Brainerd and analyst Brian Butch.

Historic Rivalry at Madison Square Garden

This contest marks another chapter in a historic rivalry, with St. John’s holding a slight 4-2 edge in the all-time series between the two teams. The most recent encounter saw Michigan secure an impressive 89-73 victory at the iconic venue on November 13, 2023. Notably, St. John’s shocked the basketball world in 1965 by defeating No. 1-ranked Michigan 75-74 in a memorable upset.

Michigan’s Success at the Garden

Michigan boasts a 26-12 all-time record at Madison Square Garden.
The Wolverines have claimed three NIT titles: 1984, 1997, and 2004.
In 2018, they won the Big Ten Tournament at the Garden.
Michigan’s 11-game win streak at the venue ended with an 89-87 loss to Arkansas during the 2024 Jimmy V Classic.

St. John’s Preparation and Key Players

St. John’s enters the season ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, emerging as the preseason favorite in the Big East Conference. Last season, they posted an impressive 31-5 record, winning both the Big East regular-season and tournament titles. The team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by Arkansas with a score of 75-66.

In a warm-up for the exhibition against Michigan, St. John’s defeated Towson 73-63 on October 18. Guard Bryce Hopkins led the way with 13 points, while teammate Zuby Ejiofor contributed 12 points and nine rebounds. The Red Storm’s defense was stifling, limiting Towson to just 37% shooting and forcing 16 turnovers. Zuby Ejiofor has also been recognized as the Big East Preseason Player of the Year.

Injury Updates

Freshman Imran Suljanovic has been sidelined for the season due to a dislocated patella sustained during practice. His recovery is anticipated to take four to five months.

Michigan’s Preseason Performance

Prior to facing St. John’s, Michigan’s exhibition opener against Cincinnati ended in a narrow 100-98 loss. After trailing by 20 points, the Wolverines mounted a strong comeback, powered by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 31 points and 12 rebounds. Roddy Gayle Jr. added 18 points, with Elliot Cadeau contributing 15 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.

Coaching Under Dusty May

In his second season, head coach Dusty May aims to build on a successful debut campaign that concluded with a 27-10 record. Last season, Michigan achieved a No. 3 seed in the Big Ten Conference Tournament and went on to claim their fourth Big Ten Tournament title, defeating Wisconsin 59-53. The team also reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before their exit against Auburn.

Michigan will celebrate its 2025 Big Ten Tournament championship by raising a banner during the regular-season opener against Oakland on November 3. The first 5,000 fans will receive a replica banner, marking a new season of excitement for Wolverine basketball.