Published Jan 18, 2018
Hoops Gameday: Nebraska vs. No. 23 Michigan
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Robin Washut  •  InsideNebraska
Senior Writer
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@RobinWashut

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN

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Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-7, 4-3) vs. Michigan Wolverines (16-4, 5-2)

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 - 8:00 p.m.

Pinnacle Bank Arena

TV: BTN

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: BTN2GO

Nebraska projected starters
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES

Glynn Watson

6-0/174

Jr.

Had seven points, three assists and three boards vs. Illinois

James Palmer

6-6/210

Jr.

Led NU with 24 points vs. Illinois, including game- winning 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left

Anton Gill

6-3/195

Sr.

Made his first start of the season vs. Illinois, totaling five points and two rebounds

Isaac Copeland

6-9/221

Jr.

Held to 2 points on 1-of-5 shooting in 27 minutes vs. Illinois

Isaiah Roby

6-8/225

So.

Made his first start of the season vs. Illinois, totaling nine points, 10 boards, four steals and two blocks in a career-high 35 minutes

Michigan projected starters
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES

Zavier Simpson

6-0/185

So.

Averages 6.2 points and a team-high 3.6 assists per game

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman

6-4/190

Sr.

Averaging 10.8 points and 3.2 assists per game and has made 31 3-pointers on the season

Charles Matthews

6-6/200

Jr.

Kentucky transfer who averages 14.9 points per game and ranks second among all Big Ten newcomers in scoring

Isaiah Livers

6-7/230

Fr.

Freshman averaging 4.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game

Moritz Wagner

6-11/245

Jr.

Tops the Wolverines in scoring (14.9 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg)

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3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Everyone defend the 3

It's no secret what the No. 1 key for every opponent Michigan faces, as the Wolverines come in as one of the best 3-point shooting teams in all of college basketball. With eight players who have made at least 10 3-pointers this season - led by Duncan Robinson (39) Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (31) - Michigan not only has guards who can light it up from behind the perimeter but forwards and centers who can be just as dangerous. To Nebraska's credit, its 3-point defense has been significantly improved this year, ranking first in the Big Ten at 28.4 percent (38-of-134) in seven conference games. The Huskers will need their best effort yet from all five players on the floor to keep the Wolverines under control from behind the arc.

2. Create turnovers

Along with a roster full of potent shooters, another hallmark of Michigan's success this season has been ball security. The Wolverines lead the Big Ten in turnover margin at +4.7, largely because they commit a league-low 9.8 turnovers per game. For Nebraska, players like Glynn Watson - who ranks fourth in the conference in steals - are going to have to try and make life as difficult as possible for Michigan's guards. Not only do they need to create some transition opportunities off of turnovers, but also to disrupt the flow of the Wolverines' offense in the half court.

3. What's Jordy's role?

After missing the past two games while briefly contemplating a mid-season transfer, sophomore center Jordy Tshimanga is officially back in the fold tonight. Nebraska will certainly need his added depth in the frontcourt, but it will be interesting to see what kind of role the 6-11, 268-pounder has against what might be the worst defensive matchup for him on the schedule. Head coach Tim Miles already said he doesn't plan to start Tshimanga tonight, but hinted that he would play in some capacity. The last time Tshimanga played in a game, he posted his best outing of the season with nine points and six rebounds vs. Wisconsin. The Huskers went 1-1 in his absence and could have used his help inside, but it seems unlikely Tshimanga will jump right back into a significant role tonight.

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QUOTABLE

"The only thing I said is this team walked in here and we set a school record last year. If that’s what we want our legacy to be, then I’ll be damned that’s not the way it’s going to happen. I’ve talked a lot about that. My father’s 91 years old, and he calls me yesterday and says, ‘Those kids better be mad!’ Then that got me mad, you know, when your old man is trying to step in and help coach the team. But he’s right. That’s what I’ve thought most about."
Head coach Tim Miles on Nebraska remembering last year's 93-57 loss to Michigan, the Huskers' largest home defeat in school history

PREDICTION

Michigan 74-70

Robin's season record: 17-3

vs. the spread: 11-9