Gut reactions to much-needed Michigan Basketball win over Nebraska

Michigan basketball had to take care of business against Nebraska on Wednesday night and the Wolverines did just that. Here are our gut reactions.

Nebraska hung around for a while in the first half and when Keisei Tominaga hit a 3-pointer early in the first half to put the Huskers in front 12-11, it looked like it might be a game.

It wouldn’t be the first time this season that Michigan let an inferior opponent hang around. The Huskers are much improved, but Michigan basketball was a double-digit favorite for a reason.

And they responded to that triple by Tominaga with a 22-3 run that essentially gave the Wolverines control of the contest that they wouldn’t relinquish. After that, Joey Baker scored eight straight points with a 2-point jumper and two triples to make it 41-17 Michigan basketball.

Nebraska eventually whittled the lead down to 12 at the break 46-34 and it didn’t take long for the Michigan advantage to get back to single digits. Yet, two buckets from Hunter Dickinson and two 3-pointers from Jett Howard pushed the lead quickly back to 17.

The lead ballooned to 21 before the Huskers scored 11 straight to get back within 10. However, a trio of 3-pointers, one each from Jett, Dug McDaniel, and Dickinson were the final dagger in a 93-72 win.

It’s not a huge resume-booster but it’s exactly what Michigan needed ahead of a key stretch full of games that can bolster the Wolverines’ NCAA resume.

Here are the gut reactions.

Gut reactions to Michigan basketball win over Nebraska

• Michigan is going to win that game 100 out of 100 times if it makes 14 3-pointers. Hunter Dickinson had a double-double but the 3-point shot was the difference. The Wolverines outscored Nebraska 42-21 from beyond the arc and won by 21.
• Hunter dominated. He fell short of his 10th 20-point game of the season but he notched another double-double and only missed one shot. He was patient, played good defense and when Michigan needed it, he made plays. Simple as that.
• Jett Howard is incredible. I don’t know how else to say it. He’s going to have a long pro career. His Michigan career also might be shorter than we all want it to be.
• The same can be said about Kobe Bufkin. He had 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Hunter is damn good, but Bufkin is right there in terms of importance to this team.
• Love what Joey Baker has given this team in the last three games. He’s averaging 11 points per game making 61 percent from deep (8-of-13) and scored 33 points in 49 minutes. You can’t ask for more.
• Saturday against Indiana is the most important game of the season. Win that and I’ll really start believing.
• This is starting to look like a tournament team.