Detroit Sports Calendar: 2016 Closes With Busy Month of December

Here’s a look at the Detroit Sports calendar as we close the year with a busy month of December.

Here’s what Detroit sports fans have to look forward to in the month of December.

Thursday, December 1
The Detroit Red Wings kick off the month with a home contest against the Florida Panthers at 7:30.

Friday, December 2
Western Michigan takes on Ohio in the MAC Championship Game at Ford Field at 7:00 (ESPN2).

Saturday, December 3
Michigan basketball hosts Kennesaw State at the Crisler Center at 1:00.

Michigan State basketball hosts Oral Roberts at the Breslin Center at 4:30 (BTN).

Sunday, December 4
The Detroit Lions play a road game against the New Orleans Saints at 1:00 (FOX).

The Detroit Tigers will participate in baseball’s winter meetings which open on Sunday in National Harbor, Maryland.

The Detroit Pistons host the Orlando Magic at 6:00.

Tuesday, December 6
Michigan State hosts Youngstown State at 7:00 (ESPNU).

The Pistons host the Chicago Bulls at the Palace at 7:30.

Michigan basketball welcomes the Texas Longhorns to Ann Arbor for a 9:00 tip (ESPN2).

Thursday, December 8
Baseball’s winter meetings conclude with the Rule 5 Draft.

Friday, December 9
The Red Wings begin a five-game home stand when the Columbus Blue Jackets come to the Joe Louis Arena at 7:30.

Saturday, December 10
Michigan State stays at home to host Tennessee Tech at 2:00 (BTN)

Michigan basketball makes the long trek to southern California to play UCLA at 8:00 (ESPN2).

Sunday, December 11
The Lions return home to take on the Chicago Bears at Ford Field at 1:00 (CBS).

The Pistons host the Philadelphia 76ers for a 6:00 tip.

Tuesday, December 13
Michigan basketball returns for a home game against Central Arkansas at 9:00 (BTN).

Saturday, December 17
Michigan basketball hosts Maryland Eastern Shore at Crisler Center at 3:00 (BTN).

The Indiana Pacers come to the Palace to play the Pistons at 7:00.

Sunday, December 18
The Lions hit the road to play the New York Giants 1:00 (FOX).

Michigan State hosts Northeastern at the Breslin Center at 7:00 (BTN).

Wednesday, December 21
Michigan State welcomes in Oakland University at 7:00 (BTN).

The Pistons begin a four-game home stand when the play the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30.

Thursday, December 22
Michigan basketball hosts Furman at Crisler Center at 7:00 (BTN).

Friday, December 23
Eastern Michigan will head to the Caribbean to take on Old Dominion in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl at 1:00 (ESPN).

The two time defending Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors come to the Palace to play the Pistons at 7:30.

Monday, December 26
The Quick Lane Bowl kicks off at 2:30 (ESPN) at Ford Field. The game is slated to feature a Big Ten vs. ACC matchup.

The Pistons welcome LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to town for a 7:30 game.

The Lions play their only primetime game of the season as they take on the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football at 8:30 (ESPN).

Tuesday, December 27
The Red Wings host the Buffalo Sabres at 7:30.

Michigan State opens Big Ten play with a road trip to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers at 9:00 (ESPN2).

Wednesday, December 28
The Pistons close their extended home stand with the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30.

Friday, December 30
Michigan State plays their Big Ten home opener at the Breslin Center vs. Northwestern at 6:00 (BTN).

Michigan, Western Michigan, and Central Michigan will also participate in bowl games, but it’s not yet known where or when they’ll play.