Michigan is set for what is probably its biggest week of the season this upcoming week, as the Wolverines will face not just one, but two Top 10 teams. It all starts with the Wolverines hosting No. 7 Nebraska in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, but then a quick turnaround as Michigan heads to East Lansing to take on rival No. 10 Michigan State.
Head coach Dusty May didn't mince words after the Wolverines big win over Ohio State on Friday when he described what this week will be for Michigan.
"Now it's on to the next things, we have a monster week coming up," May said in his post-game press conference. "Looking at the immediate future, Nebraska is one of the best teams in the country, and so it's going to be a challenge to get ready for that one."
Michigan HC Dusty May on the "monster" week ahead for the Wolverines as they face No. 7 Nebraska and No. 10 Michigan State. pic.twitter.com/7rk3BGtUsZ
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Michigan will be tested with back-to-back Top 10 matchups on the slate
May is no stranger to top-ranked matchups, as he has led Michigan against a lot of ranked opponents, but this week is one like no other. The Wolverines will face the top team in the Big Ten as they welcome the Cornhuskers to Ann Arbor, but this Nebraska team is not like the one of years past.
Nebraska is playing at such a high level of basketball that even when they are down, they are never out of a game. Head coach Fred Hoiberg has certainly turned that program around, but Michigan can prove they are truly the best team in the conference with a win.
After that big matchup, Michigan then has to travel to Michigan State for a game that never seems to disappoint. While Michigan and Ohio State are huge rivals, when it comes to basketball, Michigan and Michigan State are the rivalry to watch. The Wolverines will only be on two days of rest before they have to take on Tom Izzo's Spartans, and they are on a roll.
Michigan State has won six straight, with its lowest margin of victory being 10 points. The Spartans are coming off a 91-48 win over Maryland, and they will face Rutgers before taking on the Wolverines. Ideally, Michigan walks away with two Top 10 wins this week, and that could be enough to catapult the Wolverines to the No. 2 spot, maybe even No. 1.
Michigan has proven it is the best team in college basketball before, but these two games are crucial for reaching that mountain top again.