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Nebraska vs. Michigan: 2018-19 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Joe Cook-Shugart

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Ignas Brazdeikis #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a first half three point basket while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Ignas Brazdeikis #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a first half three point basket while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Two teams who have had drastically different seasons up to this point will meet on Thursday, when Nebraska travels to Ann Arbor to take on the Wolverines.

TV Schedule: Thursday, February 28th, 7:00 pm EST, ESPN
Arena: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Coming off a tough home loss to the rival Spartans, the Michigan Wolverines will attempt to right the ship Thursday evening, as they welcome in the visiting Cornhuskers. No. 9 Michigan (24-4, 13-4) takes on visiting Nebraska (15-13, 5-12) at the Crisler Center, and these two squads have had distinctly different seasons, despite similar expectations heading into the season.

After back-to-back comfortable victories against Maryland and Minnesota, the Wolverines welcomed the rival Spartans of Michigan State to the Crisler Center this past weekend. In one of the most anticipated match-ups of the college basketball regular season, the Spartans took down the Wolverines 77-70 on their own floor. They were able to lock up the sputtering Michigan offense in the second half, and Cassius Winston solved the riddle of Michigan’s typically tough pick and roll defense.

Nebraska’s late season woes continued this past weekend, as the Cornhuskers were unable to defend their home court against Purdue, losing 75-72. This was despite completely shutting down Carsen Edwards, holding him to 13 points on 3-16 shooting. The final result was the team’s 9th loss in their last 11 games, carrying on their downward spiral from likely tournament participant to barely even on the edge of the bubble.

Next. Michigan keys to beat Nebraska. dark

If Nebraska wants to stay in the conversation for an NCAA tournament berth, this is the type of game where they need to steal a win on the road. If the Wolverines want to stay in the 1-seed discussion, this is a must-win defense of their home court. I expect the Wolverines to come out of their recent offensive funk and win this game comfortably in the only meeting of the season between these two teams.

Prediction: Michigan – 70, Nebraska – 58

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