4 takeaways from No. 3 Michigan Basketball’s win vs No. 5 Nebraska

In a top-five game featuring the two teams at the top of the Big Ten, No. 3 Michigan stepped up in the final minutes to pick up a close win over No. 5 Nebraska, 75-72.

This game had massive implications for the Big Ten race. Nebraska entered this game one game ahead of Michigan in the standings, and this was the only time the two teams play in the regular season. Not to mention, both teams are projected to be top-2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, so this was a good test for both teams to gauge just how good they are. Although it should be noted: Nebraska was shorthanded, down two of its top three scorers in Rienk Mast and Braden Frager.

The Cornhuskers are in the midst of their best season in program history. Nebraska was one of three undefeated teams left in college basketball entering this game, and barring a massive upset, the Cornhuskers are in a great spot to win their first NCAA Tournament game in school history. They are the only power conference team without an NCAA Tournament win.

Nebraska got off to a great start from deep, getting open looks and cashing them more often than not in the first half. The second half was a lower-scoring affair, but Michigan did just enough in the closing minutes to come away with a victory.

Here are four takeaways from a stressful win.

Sloppy start to the second-half compounds into sloppy offense, but enough plays were made late to seal the win

After a foul-heavy start to the second half that turned this into a classic Big Ten, start-and-stop game, Nebraska jumped out to an eight-point lead with 12:40 to play. Michigan was playing some great defense, but could not score itself to take advantage.

Nebraska’s no-middle defense, similar to the pack line defense that Tony Bennett’s Virginia teams thrived in, was giving Michigan fits. The Wolverines looked disjointed and missed three of its first 13 shots of the half before a Will Tschetter three-pointer woke up the crowd and cut the deficit to five.

Michigan only managed to score 27 points in the second half, making only 25 percent of its field goals during that time. It felt like Michigan started to panic late in the game and was rushing low-percentage looks from three. It was looking like Michigan was going to lose its second home game of the season before a few key plays decided the game.

Michigan did just enough late to pull ahead, drawing key fouls to inch closer and closer. Trey McKenney got a huge steal and knocked down the biggest basket of his young career to give the Wolverines a 74-72 lead with 1:04 left.

Michigan played excellent defense late, forcing a deep Pryce Sandfort three that hit the front of the rim. Off a missed Yaxel Lendeborg three, Aday Mara grabbed a rebound and got fouled, knocking down one of two free throws to give Michigan a three-point lead.

Michigan proceeded to keep playing great defense, with a desperation look at the buzzer from Nebraska falling off the rim. Even with as sloppy as Michigan looked most of the half, Dusty May’s squad made just enough plays late to win a tight one.

Contrasting styles clash in the first half

As good as Michigan has been in the paint, Nebraska has been nearly as good from three with its five-out offense that thrives at getting quick, open looks from three.

As expected, Nebraska was getting open looks early, knocking down eight of its first 15 looks from deep. Jamarques Lawrence scored 18 points in the first 10 minutes of play after knocking down four of his first six looks from deep. Michigan found itself down double digits midway through the first half, which was unfamiliar territory, especially at home.

The Wolverines mostly stuck to their bread and butter, getting paint touches and finishing around the rim. Two timely three-pointers from McKenney (11 points on the night) cut the Nebraska lead to six on two separate occasions late in the half. Feeding Mara (10 points) inside helped Michigan cut the deficit to just two points at the half.

But Nebraska kept a lead most of the half after shooting 52.6 percent on 19 attempts in that first half. The Cornhuskers came to play, and it was an entertaining half with both teams shooting a combined 62 percent in the first half.

Too many turnovers and not enough fast breaks

Michigan played excellent defense to start the second half, but the Wolverines couldn’t capitalize because they turned the ball over five times in the first five minutes of the half. Michigan could not get into a flow consistently in the half-court with the Cornhuskers defending the well. The Wolverines were also sloppy with the ball at times, turning the ball over 19 times that led to 13 Nebraska points.

That’s been one of the few weaknesses of this squad — when you slow them down in the half-court and aggressively cut off passing lanes like Nebraska did, you can force takeaways. Credit to the Cornhuskers, as they dictated the pace of play most of the game. Michigan didn’t get out in transition as much as usual, scoring just five fast-break points. There wasn’t a whole lot to like from Michigan’s offense in this game.

Morez thrived early

Morez Johnson Jr. got off to a great start, scoring more points in the first 6:48 of the game (10) than he had in three of the last six games. He was finishing well around the rim, knocked down four of his first five free throws, and completed an and-one, nearly throwing it down over Leo Curtis.

What was just as impressive as his scoring was Johnson’s perimeter defense. He held his own, moving his feet exceptionally and cutting off drivers. He was also good on the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds to go along with his team-high 17 points.

He was rather quiet in the second half, but that start he had was crucial towards making sure this game didn’t get out of hand in the first half

Up Next

It’s officially time to get ready for one of the best rivalries in college basketball. No. 3 Michigan travels to East Lansing to take on Tom Izzo and the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans on Friday at 8 p.m. on FOX.