The bubble is getting smaller and it is now time for teams to start separating themselves from the rest of the field and get them off the bubble. Nebraska has an excellent chance to pick up that win and get themselves on the right side of the bubble for good. Nebraska has that opportunity against Michigan. The Wolverines come to Lincoln in what is likely to be a sell-out. Pinnacle Bank Arena has turned into one of the hardest places to win in the Big Ten.
Michigan is a lock to make the NCAA tournament under first-year head coach Dusty May but their seeding is still in question. Michigan is the one team that has never had much trouble and has only lost to Nebraska three times since the Huskers joined the league. This one is going to be a close hard fought game that both teams are going to want to win. The Huskers are a desperate team and oftentimes desperate teams rise to the top.
How to watch Michigan vs. Nebraska
- Date: Monday, February 24th
- Time: 7:00 PM CST
- Venue: Pinnacle Bank Arena
- How to Watch (TV): FS1
- Streaming: fuboTV
- Michigan record: 20-6
- Nebraska record: 17-10
Michigan vs Nebraska odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Michigan -105
- Nebraska - 114
Spread
- Michigan +1.5
- Nebraska -1.5
Total
- Over 150.5
Michigan injury report
- Sam Walters, G: Questionable (back)
Nebraska injury report
- Berke Buyuktuncel, F: Questionable (ankle)
Nebraska and Michigan series history
- Nebraska all time record vs. Michigan: 5-22
Michigan and Nebraska prediction
The Huskers are going to answer a lot of questions for the NCAA tournament committee and their fans on Monday night. Does Nebraska want to make the tournament? Will there be the buy-in on the defensive end of the floor? Will the players be motivated to win this game? All of those things have been said about the Huskers this year, and no one really knows the answers to the questions. The Huskers have shown that they can beat anyone in the country with their 5 quad 1 wins and 5 wins on the road. They also have the ability to get run out of any gym in the country given their 3 losses by 20 or more in conference play. Nebraska has been very good at the Vault and will keep this game close throughout.
Nebraska has one of the best players in the country in Brice Williams (19.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists). When he has it going, the Huskers are very hard to beat. Williams is one of the most efficient scorers in the country, and when he is getting to the free throw line, it usually bodes well for the Huskers. Juwan Gary (13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and .8 assists) was awful in their last game against Penn State. Gary is going to get the bulk of the looks inside, and when he is hitting shots at the rim and playing defense, Nebraska is very hard to beat. Gary and Williams will have to be on their game to upset Michigan.
The Wolverines are near the top of the Big Ten and are back to being one of the premier teams in the country under head coach Dusty May. Michigan does have an Achilles heel this year, and it is their inability to keep turnovers under control. They turn the ball over a lot, and when they are turning the ball over at a high rate, they are beatable. Danny Wolf (12.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists) and Vlad Goldin (15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists) are aptly named Area 51. The two big men lead Michigan in everything. They will step out and hit threes, rebound, and protect the rim at an elite level. Stopping the big men is imperative to beating Michigan. The two big men do turn the ball over a lot and when Nebraska has their defense dialed in they will force many turnovers.
Michigan and Nebraska are both coming off of losses, but the Huskers are going to be the more desperate team. Nebraska needs to get to 19 wins to feel safe making the NCAA tournament, and if they can get this game against Michigan, the fans in Lincoln are going to breathe a lot easier. Can Michigan hang onto the ball? Will Nebraska play team defense and buy in?