3 keys and a prediction for Michigan Basketball vs Nebraska

It’s another key game on Wednesday as Michigan basketball has no margin for error. Here are three keys and a prediction for the Wolverines against Nebraska. 

Ever since getting blown out by 22 points on the road against Penn State, Michigan basketball has looked like a different team.

The win at Northwestern was as good as this team has had all season. Beating good teams on the road isn’t easy, especially in the Big Ten. The Wolverines followed that up with a wire-to-wire win over Ohio State and suddenly, they are right back on the bubble.

Joe Lunardi of ESPN essentially has Michigan basketball listed as the 13th team outright in his NCAA tournament projections. A 6-2 finish would definitely move the Wolverines up those spots and a 13-7 finish to me, guarantees a berth.

That means taking care of business against Nebraska. The Huskers are fresh off a win but are 11-13 overall and 4-8 in the Big Ten. Fred Hoiberg is also trying to put together enough wins to save his job, so the Huskers will be plenty motivated.

They are also missing two preferred starters who are now out for the season, forcing two freshman guards into the starting lineup.

Looking ahead, here are three keys to a Michigan basketball win, as well as our prediction.

Win the matchup inside

One of the most interesting matchups is going to be Hunter Dickinson against Derrick Walker. Walker is 6-foot-8, but he plays bigger than that.

I’m sure the Huskers will mostly have Walker one-on-one with Dickinson. Some doubles and zones will be mixed in as usual. Nebraska doubled down pretty hard on Zach Edey but Walker will be tasked with slowing down Dickinson who has scored 45 points in the last two games.

Last season, Dickinson went off for 25 points against Nebraska and made 10-of-15 attempts from the field. The Wolverines are 6-3 this season when he scores 20 points or more and if reaches that milestone on Wednesday, it will be win No. 7 for the Wolverines.