Michigan Basketball: Michigan at Nebraska — Wrap-Up
Posted at 6:00am — 1/10/2014
Michigan Basketball: Michigan at Nebraska — Wrap-Up
Wile E. Coyote Escapes With A Win
Neither a beauty or a beast, Michigan’s one point win on Thursday may be one of the bigger wins for the Wolverines this year. A loss would have been crushing.
Michigan certainly gave Nebraska golden opportunities to win. It can be stated the Walton’s ringing half-court three-pointer was the difference.
Jan 9, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan Wolverines celebrate after beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers during their NCAA mens basketball game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA TODAY SportsAs mentioned in the series of league previews, the bottom of the league, excepting Northwestern, is better. This Husker team will not win many, if any, road games against good competition. The odds are that Nebraska will win some home games.
Michigan played a little bit of a strange game. On the one hand, there was no panic. On the other hand, no urgency was apparent. Both teams just kind of hung around waiting for the end game.
Michigan did not play good defense, hardly a surprise. Again shots were defended with flat-footed Michigan defenders. Again, one player simply drove the ball down the middle for plenty of scoring opportunities.
Jan 9, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas (11) gets a pass blocked by Nebraska Cornhuskers player Tai Webster (0) during their NCAA mens basketball game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA TODAY SportsMichigan almost let the game slip away with poor foul shooting. Stauskas missed two shots, the second such incidence late in a game recently. Walton missed a needed opportunity in the last half a minute.
Michigan is starting to make a habit of soft, lazy passes that result in turnovers.
Between all of the above Michigan was on the ropes. Robinson Jr. got more involved and Stauskas made some nice decisions that led to baskets. Michigan did not attempt much traditional low-post offense, but between drives and excellent passes, the wolverines scored plenty of paint points. Jordan Morgan’s easy points rank as a top reason Michigan could sneak out of town with a win.
Jan 9, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach John Beilein during their NCAA mens basketball game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA TODAY SportsThis win gives Michigan a 3-0 league record. Penn State is up next, then the schedule turns rough. This game shows that UM is going to need very good play to win on the road. Nebraska played better defense, especially on the perimeter.
None of the above should come as a major surprise.
Michigan at least can claim victory; alas Wile E. Coyote is zero for existence.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu
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