Michigan Basketball keeps in NCAA hunt with win at Nebraska
Michigan basketball desperately needed a win at Nebraska Tuesday night and thanks to a strong second half, the Wolverines got it.
There was zero disagreement about the fact that Tuesday night’s game at Nebraska was a must-win for the Michigan basketball team.
The Wolverines, who entered the game 2-6 in the Big Ten, were listed as one of the last four teams in ESPN’s latest bracket projection by Joe Lunardi. And against one of the two teams below it in the conference standings, Michigan basketball couldn’t afford another loss.
That is why it’s a good thing that Michigan delivered with a huge road win Tuesday night, defeating Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The win improves the Wolverines record to 12-8 overall and gives U-M its first true road win of the season.
For much of the night, it was a battle between the two teams and in the first half, Nebraska jumped out to an early lead. Michigan battled and eventually found its footing offensively even with Zavier Simpson.
Even guys like Adrien Nunez were hitting 3-pointers and that led to a five-point lead for Michigan at the half. But the real defining moment was when guys like Franz Wagner, Brandon Johns and Eli Brooks decided to step up and take over.
Johns, who has been starting in recent weeks for Isaiah Livers, finally looked like the dominant stretch four many believe he can be. He also buried a huge 3-pointer in the second half when Nebraska had trimmed the lead to three. That pushed it to six and ended up being a turning point.
Soon after, the lead was double digits.
Brooks was the point guard with Simpson on the bench and he was stellar. He scored 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out four assists. Wagner was also tremendous. He was 8-of-15 from the field despite making just one trey. He also grabbed eight boards.
Johns also finished with 16 points and it was his best game as a Wolverine. He was assertive and grabbed seven rebounds in addition to scoring 16 points on six shot attempts.
Does this win save the season? No. Not even close.
It does keep Michigan basketball alive though and for now, that will have to do. Hopefully, Livers and Simpson will be back in the lineup soon.