Game Preview: Michigan Basketball to host Nebraska

Michigan Basketball (15-0, 2-0) will look to remain perfect when they host Nebraska on Wednesday night. Tip off is scheduled for 7pm and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

Nebraska comes to town with a 9-6 record and they are 0-2 in Big Ten play. The Huskers best win was a 63-51 victory over USC on December 3rd. They have three players averaging double figures in scoring; Dy lan Talley (13.5), Ray Gallegos (13.0), and Brandon Ubel (12.5). Nebraska possesses some dreadful team statistics. They rank 320th nationally in scoring (59.1), 261st in rebounding and 205th in field goal percentage (42.4). This is a colossal mismatch.

Trey Burke

Michigan has opened the Big Ten season by demolishing Northwestern and Iowa and playing at an incredibly efficient level. They are being hailed by many as the best offensive team in the country and the stats bear that out. The Wolverines lead the nation in points per possession (1.26) and rank 3rd in assist-turnover ratio (1.76). Michigan ranks 2nd nationally in field goal percentage (52.2), 4th in three-point percentage (42.3) and 7th in scoring (82.0).

It all starts with the Wolverines All-American point guard, Trey Burke. He is having an absolutely fabulous season. Burke’s stats are like something straight out of a video game. He is averaging 18.2 points per game — which ranks third in the Big Ten. He is the only Wolverine to score in double-digits in all 15 games this season, including six 20-plus point games. Burke ranks 6th in the country with 7.5 assists per game. He is shooting 54.6% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range. Over the last 10 games, Trey Burke has 79 assists to just 11 total turnovers.

What makes Burke even more dangerous to opposing teams is the vast array of weapons he is surrounded by on the court. High-flying freshman Glenn Robinson III is only scratching the surface of how good he can be. That’s a scary thought considering he ranks 4th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (59.2) and is averaging 12.5 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per game. Robinson III is exceptional in the open court and he resembles the Hulk and Spiderman with his jaw-dropping dunks. Nik Stauskas is lights out from beyond the arc and has also showcased his ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. Against Iowa, he did just that and threw down an impressive two-handed dunk.

I haven’t even mentioned Tim Hardaway Jr. yet, who is playing with greater efficiency and explosiveness this year. He is also playing with a hard-edge mentality which is good for Michigan and bad for opposing teams. Mitch McGary has been playing with a contagious enthusiam and just keeps getting better. His block of an Aaron White dunk attempt on Sunday is easily one of the plays of the year for the Wolverines. Jordan Morgan is playing the best basketball of his career and Caris LeVert has been a revelation as he has gone from likely redshirting to being a major contributor.

Michigan should cruise past Nebraska and then things will get tougher next week with trips to Ohio State and Minnesota on tap.

Predictions: So far this season Joe and I are both 15-0 predicting the outcome of Michigan Basketball games. In our pre-season projections we both had the Wolverines starting the season 16-0 and we both think they will achieve that feat with a victory over the Huskers.

Joe: Michigan 92-68
Rob: Michigan 92-62

Notes

Jon Horford practiced full court and might be able to play against the Huskers

Trey Burke was named the Big Ten Player of the Week and Glenn Robinson III was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week

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Video

If you missed our post game video from Sunday’s victory over Iowa, you can watch that below.