Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-9, 13-5) vs. Michigan Wolverines (24-7, 13-5)

Friday, Mar. 2, 2018 - 1:30 p.m.

Madison Square Garden

TV: BTN

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: BTN2GO

1. Control the 3-point line

One of the things Michigan does the best is space out the floor offensively with an abundance of dangerous 3-point shooters. When the Wolverines are hitting from behind the arc, combined with their ability to also drive off the dribble, they can be almost impossible to defend. However, stopping the three has been arguably Nebraska’s biggest defensive strength this season. The Huskers led the Big Ten and ranked 25th nationally in 3-point defense during the regular season, holding opponents to just 31.7 percent from downtown. This matchup was especially key in NU’s 72-52 victory back on Jan. 18, as Michigan shot a dismal 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from 3-point range.

2. Get to the free throw line

While Nebraska held Michigan in check on the perimeter in the first meeting, it also kept the game under control by dominating at the free throw line and getting the Wolverines in early foul trouble. The Huskers ended up going 15-of-23 from the charity stripe compared to UM’s 6-of-10. Even more impressively, NU attempted all but one of those free throws in the second half. James Palmer Jr. was a key factor in that regard, as he got to the line a game-high 11 times en route to his game-high 19 points. When all was said and done, 10 of the 11 Wolverines who played in the game were called for a foul on the day.

3. Shut down Wagner, again

Michigan’s lineup features a number of matchup problems for opposing defenses, but none have been as potent this season than forward Moritz Wagner. Averaging a team-high 14.4 points on 53.6 percent shooting from the field and 40.9 percent from 3-point range, the 6-foot-11, 245-pound junior earned consensus second-team All-Big Ten honors earlier this week. But as good as Wagner has been, he had maybe his worst all-around effort of the season in the Wolverines’ loss in Lincoln. Nebraska flustered Wagner from the opening tip to the final buzzer, holding him to a season-low two points on just 1-of-5 shooting while also picking up three fouls. Shutting Wagner down was a huge reason the Huskers dominated that game the way they did, and to knock off UM again today, it’s going to take a similar effort.

Nebraska 65-63

Robin's season record: 25-5

vs. the spread: 18-12