Hoops elite to christen new arena

Michigan’s university basketball elite will come together to play a doubleheader at the new Little Caesars Arena.

Olympia Entertainment made it official on Tuesday when it announced that the University of Michigan will face the University of Detroit and Michigan State University will square off against Oakland University on Dec. 16 at the new facility, which is scheduled to open in the fall.

Ticket information will be released later.

“We’re excited to announce another major sporting event in Detroit and welcome passionate fan bases from Michigan, Michigan State, Oakland and Detroit,” Olympia Entertainment president and CEO Tom Wilson said in a release.

The matchup between Michigan and Detroit Mercy will pay homage to the first event to unfold at Joe Louis Arena on Dec. 12, 1979, a contest that Michigan won by a score of 85-72.

It will also see Michigan head coach John Beilein face former assistant Bacari Alexander, who’s heading into his second season as head coach at Detroit.

The Michigan State and Oakland game is an annual meeting that usually alternates between the two schools.

Little Caesars Arena, which will serve as the new home for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and NBA’s Detroit Pistons, is scheduled to host first- and second-round games for the 2018 and 2021 NCAA men’s basketball championship and the 2020 NCAA men’s hockey Frozen Four tournament.

“As the list of sporting events, concerts and family shows continues to grow at Little Caesars Arena, we look forward to showcasing four of our local teams and creating memorable experiences for the student-athletes, coaches and fans before, during and after the games,” Wilson said.