There are two massive games on the schedule for the Michigan basketball team this week, but the most important one might not be the one we expected.
The Wolverines are playing Michigan State on Friday night, a team that's tied with Michigan basketball for second place in the Big Ten with one loss. Illinois and Purdue also have one loss, too.
After Nebraska rallied for a win at Minnesota, the Huskers are 20-0 overall. They are 9-0 in the Big Ten, one game ahead of Michigan (8-1).
Nebraska comes to Ann Arbor on Tuesday. Michigan is ranked third. Nebraska is ranked seventh. If the Huskers win, it will strengthen their grip on first place.
If Michigan wins, there is still a lot of work to do to win the Big Ten title with two games against Michigan State, including next Friday in East Lansing.
Yet, in order for that game to matter as much in the Big Ten race, the Wolverines need to beat Nebraska. The Huskers are undefeated, and the best story in college basketball.
Nobody expected a top-10, maybe even a top-5 matchup between Nebraska and Michigan at the start of the season. But here we are. The two teams are a combined 38-1.
Win, and it could mean the inside track on a Big Ten championship. A win would mean the same thing for Nebraska.
Huskers could be trouble
Wisconsin is the only team that's defeated Michigan this season. The Badgers did it by going off for 13 3-pointers. Nebraska has been one of the Big Ten's best shooting teams. They also have bigs who can shoot, which could cause some headaches.
Nebraska is like an old John Beilein team. They are deadly from three, don't foul, don't turn it over, and there are shooters all over the floor.
It should be a great game, and if Michigan wins, it will be in a prime position to win the Big Ten title.