Michigan Survives Nebraska, But Shooting Woes and Turnovers Loom Large Ahead of Rivalry Clash
If Michigan basketball has serious ambitions of contending for a Big Ten title, Tuesday night’s matchup with Nebraska was one it couldn’t afford to let slip. Dropping a home game before heading into East Lansing to face Michigan State would’ve made the road ahead a steep climb. And for a while, it looked like that’s exactly where things were headed.
Nebraska came out firing, hitting 10 three-pointers in the first half and building an 11-point lead. The Wolverines, meanwhile, couldn’t buy a bucket from the perimeter.
But they didn’t fold. Instead, they leaned into what’s becoming their calling card: physicality, paint touches, and trips to the line.
Despite the cold shooting, Michigan kept attacking. The result?
Twenty-four free throw attempts and a dominant 70% shooting clip on two-point field goals - a stark contrast to Nebraska’s 56% inside the arc. The Huskers, who were without two of their key contributors in Braden Frager and Rienk Mast, managed just one three-pointer in the second half.
That was the opening Michigan needed, and they took full advantage.
1. The Shooting Slump Continues
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Michigan’s perimeter shooting is in a rut. The Wolverines shot just 23% from deep against Nebraska, following a 22% effort against Ohio State.
Yaxel Lendeborg went 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. Nimari Burnett wasn’t much better at 0-for-5.
That’s a combined 0-for-11 from two of Michigan’s key perimeter options.
This isn’t just a one-game blip. It’s a trend, and it’s one that could be costly with Michigan State looming.
The Spartans are physical, disciplined, and thrive on making opponents uncomfortable. If Michigan can’t stretch the floor or force defenders to respect the three-point shot, spacing collapses - and so does the offense.
Simply put: shooting under 25% from deep won’t cut it in East Lansing.
2. Michigan’s Blueprint Holds Up
Even with the outside shots not falling, Michigan didn’t panic. They stuck to what’s worked all year: pounding the paint, playing through their bigs, and drawing contact. It worked again.
Aday Mara, Morez Johnson, and Yaxel Lendeborg combined to go 11-for-12 on two-point attempts. That kind of efficiency inside the arc is elite - especially against a Nebraska team that’s usually dominant in that area.
In fact, the Huskers have averaged a +13 advantage in 2-point percentage this season. On Tuesday, that flipped completely: Michigan outshot them by 13% in that category.
Fred Hoiberg leaned on a tight seven-man rotation, and with Mast and Frager sidelined, the Huskers ran out of gas late. Michigan’s physicality and depth paid off. They also made 19 free throws - well above the 14 Nebraska typically allows - another sign that Michigan’s aggressive approach is creating real advantages.
3. Turnovers and Rivalry Red Flags
Even in a win, Michigan left the door open for concern - and it starts with the turnovers. Nineteen giveaways is a big number, and it’s not one you want to carry into a rivalry game against Michigan State.
Last season, the Spartans swept Michigan, and a big part of that was dominance on the offensive glass and capitalizing on extra possessions. That script could repeat itself if the Wolverines don’t clean things up. Giving Tom Izzo’s team second chances - whether through turnovers or rebounds - is asking for trouble.
And while this year’s Michigan roster is almost entirely different, the issues that plagued them in those matchups - poor shooting and lack of composure - haven’t fully gone away. Two straight games under 25% from three, coupled with nearly 20 turnovers? That’s a dangerous combination heading into the Breslin Center.
Bottom Line: Michigan found a way to win a game it absolutely had to have. They showed resilience, toughness, and the ability to impose their will in the paint.
But the shooting slump is real, and the turnover issues are creeping in at the worst possible time. If the Wolverines want to flip the script on their in-state rivals Friday night, they’ll need to rediscover their rhythm from deep - and take better care of the basketball.
Otherwise, that Big Ten title chase could hit a serious roadblock in East Lansing.