FIRST HALF ANALYSIS:
Nebraska for the first time this season had to change its starting lineup. Rienk Mast was battling the flu, so Cale Jacobsen stepped in. If you like Big 12 football scores, then this half was for you.
Michigan, who averages 90+ points a contest shot the ball like they were going to hit it by halftime. Nebraska meanwhile, averages 82+ per game and they were close to hitting that number as well. Jamarques Lawrence had 16 points in the opening 8 minutes of the game, while Morez Johnson Jr had 10.
Both teams shot over 50% from the floor for the entire half. The Huskers were on an absolute heater from beyond the arc, while Michigan lived inside the paint. Nebraska would open up a double-digit lead thanks to the 3 ball, but Michigan just would not go away. Both teams continued to shoot the lights out of the gym, but Nebraska ultimately took a 50-48 lead into the locker room.
FIRST HALF STATS:
Nebraska shot 19-32 for 59% from the floor. They went 10-19 for 53% from deep and 2-2 from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 9 rebounds, 3 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 11 assists to 5 turnovers, 4 of those turnovers committed by Lawrence.
The Huskers were led by Jamarques Lawrence, who had 16 points. Pryce Sandfort had 14. Berke Buyuktuncel had 3 rebounds to lead the way. Sam Hoiberg had 4 assists.
Michigan shot a blistering 19-29 for 66% from the floor. They went 5-13 for 39% from deep and 5-6 for 83% from the free-throw line. The Wolverines collected 13 rebounds, 3 of which were offensive. Michigan had 12 assists and 8 turnovers, 5 of them committed by Elliot Cadeau.
The Wolverines were led by Morez Johnson Jr., who had 13 points. He also led Michigan with 4 rebounds. Elliot Cadeau had 7 assists.
SECOND HALF ANALYSIS:
For all of the first half fireworks, the second half was polar opposite. In the opening 4 minutes, both teams combined for a grand total of 6 points and 6 turnovers. Nebraska would keep a lead, mainly because Nebraska wasn’t making any shots and Michigan was too busy making turnovers like they owned a bakery. Nebraska led by 8 at the under 12 timeout, at which point Michigan had 8 points and 7 turnovers in the half.
Nebraska had scored 13 of its total 22 second half points by then. Michigan would take the lead with 1:07 to go in the game, as Nebraska failed to score in the last 3:21. Both teams would shoot just 1-13 from deep, while Michigan shot 25% from the floor. What the defense couldn’t do in the first half, the offense didn’t in the second.
FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:
Nebraska shot 29-63 for 46% from the floor. They went 11-32 for 34% from deep and 3-4 for 75% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 23 rebounds, 7 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 16 assists to 11 turnovers and had just 6 bench points.
The Huskers were led by Pryce Sandfort and Jamarques Lawrence, who had 20 points each. Sam Hoiberg had 13 points, 7 rebounds 5 assists and 4 steals. Cale Jacobsen had 4 steals as well.
Michigan shot 25-53 for 47% from the floor. They went 6-26 for 23% from deep and 19-23 for 83% from the free-throw line. The Wolverines collected 35 rebounds, 9 of which were offensive. They had 19 turnovers to 15 assists and had 14 second chance points.
The Wolverines were led by Morez Johnson Jr., who had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Trey McKinney had 11 points. Aday Mara had 7 rebounds. Elliot Cadeau had 7 assists but committed 8 turnovers.
Three games in seven days is always a tough ask, but to do it shorthanded with guy injured and having the flu is a very tough ask. I know the win streak has ended, and in the end, they simply ran out of gas. To lose to Michigan by just 3 on the road is admirable on many levels. Make no mistake, if Nebraska is full-strength and they play like tonight, they beat Michigan. The next time we see the Wolverines this season will be on a neutral floor, whether that’s the Big Ten Tournament or the NCAA Tournament.
Nebraska failing to score in the last 3:21 will be the one takeaway for me. Michigan found ways to get to the free-throw line, even if the zebras helped them a little. The fact remains that Nebraska’s legs got tired, they left shots short and didn’t get to the rim much to draw contact and shoot free-throws. That’s where the game titled in the end. I’m disappointed the undefeated season is gone, but really happy with how the opening 2/3 of the season has run.
In a superstitious note, Nebraska has lost for just the 2nd time on Peacock. That was where I thought we had an advantage (only partially kidding). Despite the loss, this team is so much fun to watch. They can do it all. Nebraska plays next on Sunday against Illinois. Tip-off from Pinnacle Bank Arena will be at 3:00 pm Central and can be seen on the Big Ten Network. Hopefully the flu and injury bugs will have passed by then. Go Big Red!
