UCLA, Michigan Basketball to Play Home-and-Home Series

The Michigan Wolverines and UCLA Bruins will play a home-and-home series, pitting two of college basketball's best-known programs against one another. UCLA announced the news on Friday. 

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein broke the news on May 9. Per Rothstein, the series will start next season in Los Angeles, with the Ann Arbor game taking place during the 2017-18 season. 

The Bruins and Wolverines have met 16 times, with UCLA holding an 11-5 advantage, according to Sports-Reference.com.

Despite coming off a disappointing 15-17 campaign, UCLA looks to be one of college basketball's top teams heading into the upcoming season. CBS Sports' Gary Parrish tabbed the Bruins at No. 11 in his Ridiculously Early Preseason Top 25 in April. Star point guard Bryce Alford will return, and head coach Steve Alford will bring in a top-five recruiting class that includes 5-star prospects Lonzo Ball and T.J. Leaf, according to 247Sports.

Michigan won an NCAA tournament game last season and has won at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season title twice since 2011. According to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, the Wolverines will return all five starters from last season's tournament run, including guards Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton Jr.

This should be a solid matchup with NCAA tournament implications. Look for Michigan to have a slight advantage next season with its bevy of experience, but UCLA could get a win on its home floor with a talented roster.