Nebraska Basketball: Huskers vs. Michigan - Big Ten Tournament

Michigan Wolverines Preview

Date: Friday, March 2nd

Time: 1:20pm CST

Location: Madison Square Garden

Michigan Tournament Record: 1-0

Last Meeting: Nebraska 72 Michigan 52 on January 18th

Previous Game:

The #15 Michigan Wolverines beat the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday. Iowa pushed the Wolverines into overtime but could not hold on to the win. The Wolverines prevailed 77 to 71. Iowa had previously beaten Illinois 96 to 87 in the first round.

Michigan was lead by Charles Matthews who had 16 points and 8 rebounds. He was followed by Zavier Simpson who had 12 points and 5 rebounds. The Wolverines had problems scoring for much of the game though they did end up shooting 45% from the floor. However, they shot a dismal 15.8% from the the three point line going 3 of 19.

Iowa was able to take advantage of this and pushed the game into overtime. Guard Duncan Robinson was the savior of the night coming off the bench and scoring 11 points and the only Michigan player to score in overtime. His three pointer was the lone field goal for the Wolverines. Mind you, Robinson was picked as the 6th Man of The Year in the conference. Thus proving why he won the award.

Michigan also suffered from foul trouble with both Moritz Wager and Muhammad Abdur-Rahkman fouling out in the win.

Match up:

This is a little bit different of a team than what Nebraska saw back in January. That match up saw the Wolverines shooting 37% against the Huskers in Lincoln along with a very rowdy Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd. I doubt the Huskers will have both of these factors this time around in New York.

Michigan has gone 9-2 since Nebraska beat them in Lincoln. They have had some very nice wins over a then #8 Ohio State and Maryland. Outside of that it has been your basic run of the bottom of the Big Ten. All of which were pretty convincing wins will little trouble. Thus earning them a nice #15 ranking coming into this game.

Charles Matthews scored 15 against Nebraska in the previous meeting and will still be a major threat against the Huskers. He is averaging 13.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 2.6 rpg. He did a lot of the heavy lifting last game as while his teammates struggled in Lincoln.

All Big Ten Second Team player Mortiz Wager only had 2 points against Nebraska but is averaging a very nice 14.3 ppg and 8 rpg for the team. Expect him to still be a major threat as he is still one of the top forwards in the league and a major threat when on defense. He should be playing better this time around.

Prediction:

This is an improved Michigan team the Huskers are playing in New York. They’re playing better and beat what seemed to be a scrappy Iowa team on Tuesday. Michigan also stacks up well against Nebraska one on one which is what will most likely make for a close game.

This Cornhusker pride in me is fighting this but I believe it will be a close game and the Wolverines will pull off enough shots without the foul troubles of yesterday. Michigan wins a Husker heart breaker.

University of Michigan 73 University of Nebraska 72