Men's Hoops - hosting Nebraska - 6:30 pm EST - BTN
The men's hoops team hosts Nebraska for a 6:30 pm EST tipoff which will be broadcast on BTN.
Michigan plays four of its next six conference games at Crisler before finishing regular conference play on the road against Illinois and Indiana. It's a crucial part of the schedule.
Other articles have noted that Michigan is on the "outermost bubble" for the Dance, and - for them to maintain (or possibly improve) their position, this game would appear to be a must win. The line is Michigan by 11.5 points.
Nebraska is 2-6 in their last 8 conference games, and has struggled on the road. The Huskers lone conference road win was against Minnesota over a month ago.
Hoping there's continued good play by Hunter, Jett, Kobe, and Dug. It's the basics - protect the ball / low turnovers, sound ball / player movement, good action on the boards, and strong perimeter shooting.
What are you looking for in tonight's contest?
Go Blue!
February 8th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^
Lookin fer at least four Joey Baker triples.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
Joey Baker needs to score close to 10 points every game. It would be nice if he had starter minutes to do that but I think that is the key. I would love to see TWill as the 6th man and it might even wake him up a bit.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
Looking for good minutes from the second unit. We're going to need them to play well in this final stretch of the season if we're going to make a run at a NCAA tourney bid.
February 8th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
Go Blue! Beat Nebraska!
February 8th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
It does seem like whatever was bugging Hunter's shoulder appears to be getting better. I'd like dominant Hunter to continue. Also it seems like MAYBE TWill is finding some late-season confidence. I'd love for that to continue!
February 8th, 2023 at 10:54 AM ^
Gotta win, obviously.
Continued growth from the young players.
Looking for the team to get more and more connected...so there's some flow to their play.
Communicate and hustle on defense.
All of the players playing within themselves and not trying to do too much.
Get the ball to Hunter. Let him draw fouls and double teams.
Hit the 3's.
Play with a "win each play" mentality.
I'll be there! A little bit too much travel from Metro Detroit to Ann Arbor in Feb. with five home basketball games and two hockey weekends...but I'm up for the challenge!
Go Blue!
February 8th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
I want 8 rebounds, with two on the offensive boards from T-Will.
I want McDaniel for 3 to again look like a semi-reliable thing.
I want a third straight game of not-terrible defense from Jett Howard.
Go Blue.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
Very simply looking for a win.
It can be ugly, it can be a romp. I don't care. I just want to continue watching Michigan winning basketball games.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
Actually at this point Nebraska at home needs to be a romp. NET rankings take margin of victory into account. This needs to be like 75-60. A proper dispatching of an inferior opponent at home.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
Just win baby. As long as they keep stacking up W's they'll keep moving closer to getting onto the dance floor in March. And with as much chaos as the B1G is in besides Purdue getting a double bye for the tourny is NOT out of the question.
The last few games they've played the way I thought they would at the beginning of the year. Hope it continues.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
M wins tonight, OSU beats NW tomorrow, Purdue beats Iowa. Michigan gets to play IU Saturday for T2nd along with winner of Rutgers/Illinois on Saturday. This isn't that important but it would feel good to be top 3 in the league after the dust settles this weekend. Have to win tonight for that to be possible.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:22 AM ^
This is the most must-win game left of a slate of must-wins for this team. They have to take care of business against a Nebraska team they should be able to beat and then focus on Indiana, Wisconsin, and MSU, all winnable games. I don't think they'll sweep that slate but 2/3 gets them a lot closer to the bubble than I thought they'd be a couple weeks ago.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Three things I'd like to see:
1. Continue the all-around momentum of good play from the last three halves. No regression. Do not play down to the opponent.
2. Bench scoring in double digits before Kenpom time. Joey I'm looking at you!
3. Twin Towers or at least 8-10 min of quality Reed time. He needs time on the floor to continue to grow. We will need quality minutes from him in a future game. Add some game-speed experience today.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:34 AM ^
I hope Michigan contains Keisei Tominaga. He was nearly unstoppable against Penn State the other night.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^
This is supposed to be the one easy game left, but the team needs to avoid a letdown as it could be considered a trap game between OSU and ranked Indiana. Good chance to practice the mindset of every game being a big one from here on out
February 8th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^
I'd like to see anyone outside the top 7 guys get some real PT and play with a pulse. It is pretty worrying for next years squad that we have seen so little of out Cheddar and Barnes in particular.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:53 AM ^
Want to see continued effort from TWill on the boards. I, like many, have been very critical of his play thus far, but the way he was able to tip balls out for rebounds against NW showed what his value could be if his effort level remains high. I believe this could be a major key for this team moving forward.
February 8th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
There are no easy games, but this is the most winnable game left on the schedule. So go win it.
How they win it only matters so much.
I hope to see the same high effort level, continued reduction in defensive lapses, good ball movement and Hunter being PEAK HUNTER, but if it has to be a slog so be it as long as they close it out with a W.
Nebraska doesn't have the sheer number of gunners that Penn State does, nor is their PG play notably good. This should be a good matchup. Win the game.
February 8th, 2023 at 12:15 PM ^
Let's hope shaq Hunter shows up again and not euro Hunter.
February 8th, 2023 at 12:56 PM ^
What am I looking for tonight?
To coin a phrase, I'm looking for "the basics - protect the ball / low turnovers, sound ball / player movement, good action on the boards, and strong perimeter shooting."
Also, effort.
February 8th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
more points than the huskers....
February 8th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
Would that give us one of those W's?
February 8th, 2023 at 3:53 PM ^
After winning two consecutive games that were easier to get up for, I am looking for the guys to show growth compared to earlier in the year by handily beating a team they are much more talented than. This is the most winnable game left on the schedule, don't play down to your competition, bring the intensity from the outset.
February 8th, 2023 at 5:10 PM ^
It’s all about Michigan’s defense, both half-court and transition. Young teams need to be thought to focus on guarding without fouling, active hands, communication, blocking out to secure defensive rebounds and keeping their heads on a swivel to prevent easy back door plays. On offense the focus is on avoiding turnovers, offensive fouls, and stagnation.
February 8th, 2023 at 5:36 PM ^
A Dub.
Go Blue.
February 8th, 2023 at 6:34 PM ^
Jett gives up a bucket. Drink