Wolverines will play at Madison Square Garden in 2016

By @MichaelCaples –

The Big Ten announced today that their conference will be spending some significant time at Madison Square Garden in the upcoming years, and that the Wolverines will be skating there in 2016.

The University of Michigan and Penn State University will participate in a day/night doubleheader on Jan. 30, 2016, with both schools’ hockey and basketball teams competing at the famous MSG.

Hockey and basketball doubleheaders will take place at the legendary arena from 2016-19, the men’s basketball tournament will be held there in 2018, and the Big Ten will have a “significant branding presence both inside and outside the building,” according to the press release.

“We are thrilled to establish this long-term partnership with Madison Square Garden, one of the most-revered brands and buildings in all of sports,” Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany said. “This pairing is a natural fit for us as we continue to extend our brand and live in two regions of the country. The Garden has been the site of countless iconic moments throughout history, and we look forward to showcasing some of the best basketball and hockey programs in the country through this partnership.”

Michigan skated at MSG in a game with Cornell two years ago called “The Frozen Apple.” The release does not indicate what teams will participate in the doubleheaders in the following years, but with three years slated, and six teams holding both hockey and basketball programs within the conference, MSU should be participating in 2017, 2018 or 2019.

“We are proud and honored to collaborate with the Big Ten on this unprecedented partnership,” Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Sports, said. “Teaming up with the Big Ten for the men’s basketball tournament and the basketball and hockey doubleheaders will be a win for college sports fans and the nearly 100,000 conference alumni that live in the New York metropolitan area.”