The Big Ten schedule is brutal. The ladies are a very good basketball team, but have no room for error as they continue to play ranked opponents. It feels like Natalie Potts’ announcement that she would
not play this season took some of the wind out of the Huskers’ sails. I think most knew her recovery wasn’t going well as it dragged into January, but the official news had to be difficult for the team.
Nebraska currently sits at 16-6 overall and 5-6 in the B1G. They travel to Ann Arbor for a game that could be a major boost if the Huskers find a way to win. The Wolverines have some gaudy offensive numbers, but they are not the most efficient team – they thrive on quantity. The Huskers are very efficient offensively and if they can elevate their defensive play, the upset could be there.
A win against a top-10 opponent. On their home court.
No problem, right?!?
Nebraska Cornhuskers (RV/RV) at Michigan Wolverines (8/7)
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, 6 p.m. (CT)
Ann Arbor, Michigan (Crisler Center)
Live Video: B1G+
Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (5:30 p.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst) Lincoln (107.3 FM), Omaha (1490 AM/97.3 FM/97.7 HD3), Huskers.com, Huskers App
Live Stats: Huskers.com (statbroadcast – public)
Scouting the Michigan Wolverines
Coach Kim Barnes Arico brings her No. 8 Wolverines into Wednesday’s game hunting for Michigan’s 20th win of the season. The Wolverines carry a four-game winning streak after a 94-91 overtime win at No. 13 Michigan State on Sunday. That marked the third time in four games that Michigan has put up 90 points and the fifth time in conference play that the Wolverines have surpassed 90.
The Wolverines are 10-1 in the Big Ten and averaging 87.8 points per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field, including 33.8 percent from three-point range. Michigan, which has struggled at the free throw line (.662), more than makes up for it by dominating the possession game. The Wolverines carry a plus-10.2 rebound margin and a plus-9.0 turnover margin on the year. Defensively, they hold opponents to just 61.9 points per game on 38.9 percent shooting, including 30.8 percent from beyond the three-point arc.
NET 24 Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-6, 5-6 Big Ten)
21 – Eliza Maupin – 6-3 – Sr. – F – 8.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg
33 – Amiah Hargrove – 6-2 – So. – F – 12.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg
2 – Logan Nissley – 6-0 – Jr. – G – 7.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg
14 – Callin Hake – 5-8 – Sr. – G – 8.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg
23 – Britt Prince – 5-11 – So. – G – 18.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Off the Bench
12 – Jessica Petrie – 6-2 – Jr. – F – 11.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg
4 – Petra Bozan – 6-3 – So. – F – 6.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg
5 – Claire Johnson – 5-9 – So. – G – 4.0 ppg, 1.1 rpg
1 – Hailey Weaver – 6-0 – Gr. – G – 3.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg
15 – Kennadi Williams – 5-4 – RFr. – G – 2.6 ppg, 0.7 rpg
34 – Emily Fisher – 6-0 – Jr. – G/F – 1.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg
00 – Alanna Neale – 5-10 – Fr. – G – 1.3 ppg, 0.3 rpg
22 – Natalie Potts [Out] – 6-2 – RSo. – F – Redshirt
3 – Allison Weidner [Out] – 5-10 – Gr. – G – Redshirt
Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998) 10th Season at Nebraska (174-129); 19th Season Overall (367-238)
NET 6 Michigan Wolverines (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten)
1 – Olivia Olson – 6-1 – So. – G – 18.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg
3 – Mila Holloway – 5-10 – So. – G – 13.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg
15 – Ashley Sofilkanich – 6-3 – Sr. – F – 8.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg
5 – Brooke Quarles Daniels – 5-7 – Sr. – G – 6.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg
12 – Syla Swords – 6-0 – So. – G – 13.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Off the Bench
33 – Te’Yala Delfosse – 6-3 – So. – G/F – 10.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg
22 – Kendall Dudley – 6-2 – So. – G – 6.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg
25 – McKenzie Mathurin – 5-10 – Fr. – G – 4.7 ppg, 1.1 rpg
20 – Alyssa Crockett – 6-2 – Sr. – F – 3.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg
2 – Macy Brown – 6-0 – Jr. – G – 2.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg
23 – Ciara Byars – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 2.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg
21 – Ally VanTimmeren – 6-2 – Gr. – F – 1.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg
Head Coach: Kim Barnes Arico (Montclair State, 1993) 14th Season at Michigan (285-144); 30th Season Overall (555-350)
Nebraska vs. Michigan Series History
Nebraska owns an 18-10 edge in the all-time series, but the Wolverines rolled to a 78-60 win over the Huskers last season in Lincoln (Feb. 6, 2025). The Big Red defeated Michigan, 65-59 (Feb. 6, 2024) in its last trip to Ann Arbor. Nebraska owns a 7-4 edge in the series at the Crisler Center.
Jill’s Thoughts and Prediction
The lack of a strong inside physical presence (ala Markowski and Potts) has drained confidence in this team the further they go into Big Ten play. Don’t get me wrong, Jess Petrie, Petra Bozan, Amiah Hargrove, and Petra Bozan are very good players. I like the athleticism and speed Amy Williams has. I just don’t know if they can consistently beat teams that have strong paint play.
Michigan’s rebounding is powered not just by the front court, but also by their wings and guards. Nebraska has the ability to pull down rebounds and if they do, it will keep this game close. The Huskers’ offensive efficiency could lead them to an upset if they shoot well.
I’m going to predict Nebraska to come up short in this one, but don’t take that as a lack of faith in the upper effort of this team. The upset is there, I just don’t know if this will be the game we get to see it.
Michigan 80 Nebraska 72
