Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for Wolverines against Nebraska

Michigan basketball will open Big Ten play on Tuesday night in Nebraska and here are three predictions for the Wolverines and the Huskers.

While much of the Michigan talk has centered on the football team and its incredible run to the Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff, the basketball team has work to do too.

Michigan basketball is still the defending Big Ten champs in basketball and the title defense starts tonight in Lincoln, Nebraska as the Wolverines take on the Huskers (5-4).

Nebraska is still trying to build under Fred Hoiberg and while the Huskers do have more talent than in previous years, it doesn’t look like a team ready to contend for the Big Ten championship.

That being said, winning in Nebraska is never easy and Bryce McGowens could cause some real problems for Michigan as one of the most talented players in the Big Ten.

The Wolverines have won five in a row in this series and Fred Hoiberg has yet to beat Michigan basketball. Will that continue tonight?

We break it down with three predictions.

Frankie Collins starts at point guard

Against San Diego State, Collins started and played the entire second half. He has averaged more than 17 minutes per game over these last four outings and I expect him to start tonight.

For a freshman, Collins is steady on defense and only had one turnover. I wouldn’t be shocked if DeVante Jones got another chance, but he can still have a role to play off the bench if not.

As we saw with Moussa Diabate and even Hunter Dickinson last season, when it’s clear that the freshman has become the better option, Juwan has gone in that direction.

And after what we’ve seen from Collins and Jones, my prediction is that Collins get his first career start for Michigan tonight.