ANN ARBOR, MI. — On Wednesday night, the Michigan basketball team (14-10, 8-5 Big Ten) took down the Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-14, 4-10 Big Ten) at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The victory is enormous for the Wolverines, who look to add another Quad 1 win this Saturday against the 18th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers.
Michigan is now four games above .500 on the season and has won three-straight games for the first time since November of last year. Additionally, Michigan basketball is now tied with Rutgers and Indiana for 2nd place in the Big Ten standings with an 8-5 conference record.
Michigan basketball starts off hot
After winning the game’s opening tip, Michigan basketball got off to a hot start behind a long jumper from Dug McDaniel. Nebraska responded with a 3-pointer on the following possession, though that momentum was short-lived after the Wolverines buried a 3-ball of their own on the next possession.
After exchanging defensive possessions, Terrence Williams drained another Michigan 3-pointer, giving the Wolverines an 8-7 lead. Jett Howard drilled a 3-ball on Michigan’s next possession, giving the Wolverines a four-point lead. Just like that, a fast-paced Big Ten matchup was underway.
The Wolverines and Cornhuskers exchanged offensive blows for a while before Michigan’s Terrence Williams scored his third basket of the game, followed by a goaltend on a Kobe Bufkin layup — the Wolverines’ lead was pushed to six points. Michigan basketball did not stop there, as the Wolverines buried a 3-pointer following a Nebraska turnover, pushing their lead to 21-12 (10-0) before a Husker timeout.
The Wolverines continued their impressive run right out of the break after Terris Reed Jr. forced a turnover and sunk his layup. Michigan’s lead was 11, and it was clear that the Wolverines were well prepared and ready to take 2nd place in the Big Ten. Kobe Bufkin scored a layup on Michigan’s next possession — Michigan’s run was pushed to 14-0 before Nebraska got back on the board with a 3-pointer.
The other Howard brother, Jace, drilled a three to give Michigan basketball a 28-15 lead — it was the Wolverines 5th 3-pointer of the game to that point. On Michigan’s next possession, Michigan freshman guard Dug McDaniel drilled the Wolverines’ 6th 3-pointer, giving Michigan a 31-15 lead.
After one half of basketball, the Wolverines led the Cornhuskers, 46-34. Michigan basketball had itself an incredible shooting half — the Wolverines shot 68% from the floor, 57.1% from 3-point range, and 80% from the charity stripe. It was clear that Juwan Howard’s Wolverines were about to have one of “those” nights in the best possible way — Michigan basketball looked unstoppable on offense and was playing sound defense throughout most of the 1st half. The Wolverines made eight 3-pointer
Wolverines lay on the gas, clinch win over Nebraska
Despite a slow end to the first half of play, Michigan basketball seemed to pick up where it left off throughout the second half of play. A series of big plays propelled the Wolverines — enough to allow the Wolverines to hang on and pull off the victory.
Terrence Williams had a surprisingly good game; he finished with 10 points (4/5 from the floor) and played solid defense throughout most of tonight’s contest. Michigan’s Joey Baker also had an incredible game — Baker came off the bench for the Wolverines and racked up 11 points, primarily from beyond the arc.
Though the Huskers managed to remain in the game for arguably longer than they should have, Michigan basketball tightened up down the stretch and maintained its double-digit lead.
Most of Michigan’s scoring came from the floor — the officials held their whistles tonight as both teams combined for 30 total free throws. free throws all game (including intentional fouls towards the end of the matchup). The Wolverines played great team basketball throughout the night — Michigan finished the game with 16 assists and outrebounded Nebraska 35-2
Michigan basketball saw huge performances from Jett Howard as well (22 points), who is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered against Minnesota a few weeks ago. Howard will be an essential piece to the Wolverines’ puzzle if they expect to make an NCAA tournament run later this year. This was a good win for Michigan basketball; however, the real test comes this weekend when No. 18 Indiana comes to town.
FINAL: Michigan 93, Nebraska 72
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