One of the most anticipated games of the 2026-27 college basketball season was a scheduled match between the Michigan Wolverines and the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden. Only now, due to broadcasting rights, the game is in jeopardy, with UCLA head coach Mick Cronin expecting the entire thing will be canceled.
The highly anticipated game between Duke and Michigan was set to be shown on Amazon Prime. However, according to Jordan Mendoza of USA TODAY Sports, Mick Cronin believes that the game will not be allowed to continue as is due to Michigan’s Big Ten membership, of which Mick Cronin and UCLA are also members.
“No possibility it passes,” Cronin said. “Not when Fox has spent hundreds and millions of dollars for the rights. “
The holdup is due to the Big Ten and its broadcasting partner, Fox, who reportedly feel the conference should profit financially from the event. There is no such problem on the Duke side, since the ACC and its broadcast partner, ESPN, have reportedly given the go light for the move.
Cronin also stated that other networks have requested UCLA to broadcast some Bruins games, but he has declined due to the larger Big Ten problem.
If no agreement can be reached, the game may be scrapped entirely. Michigan is the current champion, while Duke advanced to the Elite Eight before being upset by UConn. Both clubs are anticipated to be among the nation’s top teams next season as well.
This past season, both teams competed in what proved to be one of the finest college basketball games of the year. Duke defeated Michigan 68-63 in a game that had the feel of an NCAA Tournament.
