Michigan basketball loss part of worst regular season in 40 years

ANN ARBOR, MI. – In its worst season since 1981-82 when Bill Frieder was at the helm, the Wolverines had one thing on the line: pride. With the 14 seed already clinched in the Big Ten tournament for Michigan basketball, the goal seemed to be finishing the season on a high note and sending the seniors off the right way.

Michigan basketball vs. Nebraska recap

There was a different aura around the Michigan basketball team prior to senior day. The huddles looked loose and the team brought a different level of energy. This paid off on the offensive end early, with the Wolverines nailing their first three 3-pointers. But, the defensive struggles continued, as 5 quick points from Nebraska star Keisei Tominaga prevented Michigan from building an early lead. 

Heading into the first media timeout, the Wolverines had a narrow 16-14 lead.

Then, the Keisei Tominaga show took full effect. The junior from Japan caught fire, going on a personal 8-0 run that was capped by a pull-up 3 on the maize and blue “M” by halfcourt. This was part of a 13-point (5-6 from the field) start for one of the Big Ten’s most entertaining players.

The high scoring was not just limited to Tominaga. Both teams combined for almost 60 points in the first 10 minutes of the contest. Dug McDaniel was a large reason that Michigan basketball had solid contributions to that point total. The Wolverine star put up 8 points, making his first 3 baskets while also dishing out a couple of assists.

McDaniel and Tominaga continued to provide a spectacle for the Crisler crowd on a chilly Sunday afternoon. The two flashy guards traded 3-pointers, making nine out of their 12 combined attempts in the first half. 

@thedougmcdaniel is feeling it! pic.twitter.com/3mShi6tFuX

— Michigan Men’s Basketball (@umichbball) March 10, 2024

As both teams headed into the locker room to regroup, the Cornhuskers had a 50-43 advantage. This was in large part due to them making an astounding 70% of their shots from the field. As was the case all day, Tominaga led the way with 23 points (9-12 from the field) in the first 20 minutes. 

The defensive worries at the beginning of the season stuck with Michigan basketball until the very end. Out of halftime, Nebraska’s ease of getting to the basket did not skip a beat. The Huskers extended their lead to 11 heading into the half’s first media timeout thanks to a couple of layups by New Mexico transfer Josiah Allick.

This 11-point Cornhusker lead did not stop expanding. 5th-year senior Josiah Allick continued to make his presence felt, as another layup from him extended Nebraska’s lead to a game-high 20 points. Allick finished with 15 points, shooting a very efficient 6-6 from the field. 

Nebraska’s 2nd half-performance was not a barrage of any sort. It was the Cornhuskers simply outplaying Michigan basketball in every facet of the game. They picked apart the Wolverine defense, getting whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. The only thing that stopped Nebraska’s momentum in the latter half was Charlotte transfer Brice Williams shoving Youssef Khayat at halfcourt. This resulted in a triple technical on Williams, and then on CJ Wilcher and Nimari Burnett for an exchange after the altercation. 

The remainder of the game was a masterclass from Nebraska on how to let a team continue to bury itself by exposing all of its weaknesses. As the buzzer rang, the Cornhuskers hung on to a comfortable 15-point lead, beating the Wolverines 85-70. Keisei Tominaga finished his All-Big-Ten season with his second 30+ point game of the season, shooting a whopping 70.6% from the field.

Final.

McDaniel: 17p | 5a | 5-7 3FG
Williams II: 14p | 4r | 3-6 3FG
Reed Jr.: 8p | 6r | 4-6 FG#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/ZQe9NA795c

— Michigan Men’s Basketball (@umichbball) March 10, 2024

Michigan basketball struggles

With the life sucked out of Crisler Center for the majority of the second half, it was ultimately a dreary senior day. Fans started to file out of the arena before the last media timeout. All that was in sight were disappointed faces, some of which were wearing championship gear from the football season. The glory and prestige from the Michigan football championship run have quickly become dampened by the worst collegiate basketball team in Ann Arbor in over 40 years. This is an unfortunate look for head coach Juwan Howard who has taken this program to the second weekend in the NCAA tournament multiple times. There have been rumblings, though, that this was not his last season at the helm for the Wolverines.

If Michigan basketball wants to salvage this disappointing season, it will have to win 5 straight games by this time next week. For a team that has only won 4 games since Thanksgiving, that does not seem likely. 

14-seed Michigan basketball’s road in the Big Ten tournament starts on Wednesday, as it will take on whoever finishes 11th in Big Ten play on Peacock at 9 pm EST.

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