The Michigan basketball program will host a "Military Appreciation Day" on Friday during its 7 p.m. regular-season opener against Ferris State at Crisler Arena.

All past and present military men and women will receive a special four-pack of game tickets for $11. In addition, Michigan will host its annual care package drive during the game.

The care package drive, hosted in conjunction with the University of Michigan Student Veterans Association, will take donations in the Crisler Arena concourse near gates E, A and B.

Items being requested for the drive are: black/white socks, deodorant, men's boxers/briefs/undershirts, gum, protein bars, canned chicken/tuna and ramen noodles, handwritten letters, magazines, granola bars, dried fruit/Chex Mix, baby wipes, chapstick, batteries, crossword/word search books, gas cards, restaurant/department store gift cards and various snack kits.

Any eligible service man or woman may order tickets by using the promotional code UM4VETS at www.mgoblue.com/tickets.

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.