NCAAB Game Preview - Nebraska at Michigan
Thu Mar 5, 2020 6:30 PM EST

AF
60
SDSU
73
F
ChaSo
48
Radf
62
F
Leh
70
Colg
83
F
Stetsn
62
Lib
66
F
USC-Up
70
Winth
106
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Buck
64
Amer
59
F
Lipsco
73
NFla
71
F
NM
70
UtSt
75
F
UNCA
62
GWebb
72
F
Navy
63
Boston
69
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Oakl
63
WIGB
78
F
E IL
65
APSU
76
F
Wyo
74
Nev
71
F
Bois
67
UNLV
61
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Lafy
73
Army
68
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TNSt
48
E KY
58
F
YSU
61
IL-C
67
F
Hamp
78
Longw
53
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Evans
55
Valpa
58
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Portl
62
SCla
76
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IlSt
65
Drake
75
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LoyMa
75
USD
61
F
Cal
56
Oreg
90
F
Ill
63
OhSt
71
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Hou
71
UConn
77
F
Nebras
58
Mich
82
F
NCAT
80
NCC
86
F
DelSt
100
How
88
F
Copp
63
MD-ES
60
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Norf
68
Morg
62
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FlaAM
70
BethC
72
F(OT)
PVAM
71
Alc
80
F
JackSt
71
ASU
59
F
TXSo
74
South
89
F
WichSt
60
Mem
68
F
Stan
65
OrSt
68
F
UMKC
61
UtVal
51
F
CBU
50
NMSt
83
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S UT
65
MTSt
73
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N CO
71
Mont
64
F
Wash
90
AzSt
83
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IdaSt
77
E WA
100
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Gram
57
AlaAM
58
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Web
72
Ida
64
F
HI
67
UCDav
65
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CS-Ful
53
UCSB
55
F
CAPoly
73
LongB
80
F(OT)
NoAZ
66
PorSt
80
F
WaSt
62
Ariz
83
F
ChiSt
Seatt
Canc
No. 25 Michigan looks for better D vs. Nebraska
Wed Mar 4, 2020 1:28 PM

There's an obvious reason why No. 25 Michigan struggled last week.

In losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State, the Wolverines' normally stout perimeter defense allowed a combined 22 3-pointers.

Limiting those good looks from outside will be a point of emphasis when the Wolverines (18-11, 9-9 Big Ten) host Nebraska (7-22, 2-16) on Thursday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

"We have to do a better job of having a certain level of focus and making sure that we close all the way to those 3-point shooters," head coach Juwan Howard said. "I'd rather see a lot of these stickers (3-point shooters) be able to shoot the ball with no air space with a hand-ball contest. But we will improve in that area. I trust we will."

Prior to last week, Howard's club appeared to be picking up steam. It reeled off five consecutive Big Ten victories and had held opponents below the 70-point mark in nine consecutive games. During the winning streak, the Wolverines only gave up a combined 21 3-point baskets.

The Badgers racked up 81 points and the Buckeyes scored 77, with each team knocking down 11 shots from behind the arc.

"Everything has got to be better," freshman forward Franz Wagner told the Detroit News. "Everybody has to be closer to their man, more in his face and more ready to close out to the shooter. ... We weren't ready, we weren't communicating and not everybody was aware of that what was happening on the floor. If I had an explanation for this, I wouldn't let that happen. Nobody would on the team."

Wagner collected his first career double-double at Ohio State with 18 points and 10 rebounds but only one other Michigan player reached double digits in points.

Intensity shouldn't be an issue against the Cornhuskers on Senior Night at the Crisler Center. Starters Jon Teske and Zavier Simpson and key reserve Austin Davis will be playing their last home game.

The Wolverines also have a road game against No. 9 Maryland on Sunday prior to the Big Ten tournament.

Michigan expects a quick turnaround.

"The confidence is at the same point it was during the five-game win streak because we know we can do it," Wagner said. "We know we have everything we need. It's just a matter of if we're able to show what we can do."

The Cornhuskers are tied for last place in the league with Northwestern. They're saddled with a 14-game losing streak, all against Big Ten opponents. That includes a 79-68 home loss to the Wolverines on Jan. 28.

Nebraska had a golden opportunity to end its slide against the Wildcats on Sunday, but woeful free throw shooting led to an 81-76 overtime loss. Nebraska was just 8 of 30 at the line.

The Cornhuskers have only knocked down 58.6 percent of their free throws this season.

"It's contagious," Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said. "I've been around this game long enough, when you miss a few early, it just seems to get in everybody's head. Tempo gets quick, you don't trust your stroke. It's hard. We've been shooting better the last five games, about 65 percent. Then to have a night like this where you make a couple more and you're on the winning end."

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

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