Michigan Rallies to Topple Undefeated Nebraska in a Big Ten Thriller
The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines showed exactly why they’re one of the top teams in the country on Tuesday night, storming back in the second half to edge out the previously unbeaten No.
5 Nebraska Cornhuskers, 75-72. With the win, Michigan improves to 19-1 overall and 9-1 in Big Ten play, taking sole possession of first place in the conference standings.
This one had all the ingredients of a classic: a red-hot Nebraska team, a raucous home crowd, and a Michigan squad that refused to fold when things got tight. Let’s break down how Dusty May’s group pulled off the comeback win.
First Half: Fireworks Early, But Nebraska’s Perimeter Game Steals the Show
Nebraska came out firing, hitting back-to-back threes to set the tone early and jump out to an 8-3 lead. Michigan didn’t flinch. Morez Johnson Jr. got rolling early, scoring 10 points in the first seven minutes to keep the Wolverines within striking distance at 15-14.
But the Cornhuskers had a weapon of their own - guard Jamarques Lawrence was unconscious from deep. He poured in 16 points in the opening 10 minutes, including four three-pointers, helping Nebraska build a double-digit lead at 31-20.
Michigan clawed back thanks to some timely shooting from Trey McKenney, who knocked down a pair of threes, and a big momentum swing from Nimari Burnett, who turned a steal into an and-one. That cut the deficit to just two, but Nebraska responded with a 6-0 run to regain control.
The half ended with Elliot Cadeau threading a pass to Aday Mara for a buzzer-beating layup, trimming the Cornhuskers’ lead to 50-48. Despite Michigan dominating the paint (28-16), winning the battle on the glass (13-9), and capitalizing off turnovers (10-7), Nebraska’s 10-for-19 shooting from beyond the arc gave them the edge at the break.
Halftime: Nebraska 50, Michigan 48
Second Half: Defensive Grit, Timely Buckets, and a Clutch Finish
The second half opened with both teams tightening up defensively. Points were hard to come by - just six combined in the first four minutes - and Michigan committed five turnovers in the first five minutes, allowing Nebraska to inch ahead 54-50.
Yaxel Lendeborg tried to inject some life into the Wolverines’ offense with four quick points, but Pryce Sandfort answered with a dagger - a deep three as the shot clock expired, pushing Nebraska’s lead to 63-54 with just over 11 minutes to play.
But Michigan wasn’t done.
Will Tschetter sparked a rally with a three-pointer, two free throws, and a layup during a 13-6 run that brought the Wolverines right back into it. Lendeborg added two clutch free throws to make it a one-point game at 70-69 with under four minutes remaining.
Then came the turning point.
Cadeau sank a free throw to tie the game at 72-72 with 2:16 left. Nebraska looked poised to retake the lead, but McKenney made a huge defensive play, sprinting back to strip away a sure layup. On the other end, he finished a tough layup in traffic to give Michigan its first lead of the half, 74-72, with just over a minute remaining.
Nebraska had chances to tie it in the final seconds, but Michigan’s defense held firm. When the buzzer sounded, it was the Wolverines celebrating a statement win in front of their home crowd.
Final: Michigan 75, Nebraska 72
Stat Leaders
Michigan:
- Morez Johnson Jr.: 17 points (team-high), 12 rebounds - a double-double that set the tone inside
- Trey McKenney: 11 points, 3 rebounds - including the game-winning layup and a pivotal steal
- Aday Mara: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block - efficient and impactful down low
- Yaxel Lendeborg: 10 points, 3 rebounds - came up big in the second half
Nebraska:
- Pryce Sandfort: 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists - hit big shots all night
- Jamarques Lawrence: 20 points, 4 assists - lit it up early from deep
- Sam Hoiberg: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists - did a little bit of everything
What’s Next
Michigan now heads into a high-stakes showdown with in-state rival No. 7 Michigan State.
With a five-game win streak on the line and the Big Ten lead up for grabs, Friday night’s clash is shaping up to be must-see TV. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. on FOX.
Buckle up - the Big Ten race is just heating up.