Michigan basketball instant recap: Wolverines thrash Nebraska, 102-67
LINCOLN, Neb. — Michigan basketball forward Brandon Johns brought his ‘A’ game early in Lincoln. The senior’s play helped the Wolverines create some distance early, and his 20 led a 102-67 blowout win.
Nebraska remained close in the first few minutes behind Keisei Tominaga’s shooting. The guard hit a pair of tough triples in the first few minutes when it looked as though Michigan might run the ‘Huskers out of the building.
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Johns, though, started the game with at triple from the top and scored seven of Michigan’s first 11 points. He also worked the glass for five rebounds in the game.
The Wolverines took a 13-8 lead before Nebraska battled back to tie it. Three-pointers by freshman Caleb Houstan from the corner and sophomore center Hunter Dickinson put Michigan another step ahead.
Michigan made eight of its first 16 shots, three of its first seven triples. The guards worked it to Dickinson twice down low for finishes and moved the ball well, notching five assists on eight makes.
Granted, the competition wasn’t great, but the ball movement and spacing were outstanding early. Michigan took advantage of the inside-out game to open a 26-15 lead on a Terrance Williams three-pointer at 9:27 of the first half.
Sophomore guard Zeb Jackson got into the action at the 8:00 mark. He drove and found Williams inside for an easy two and forced a Cornhuskers timeout on the next possession with a transition triple.
The hot shooting continued. A DeVante’ Jones three from the top after a Nebraska defender ducked under a screen gave Michigan its biggest lead, 39-20, at 5:33 and forced another ‘Huskers timeout.
The threes continued to fall. Houstan and Johns both hit from the left corner to push the Michigan lead to 21, and U-M opened it up.
Only Eli Brooks struggled offensively in the first half. He missed all five of his three-point attempts, and all were wide open.
The half ended 51-32 Michigan after two Johns free throws. He finished the first half with 16 points.
Michigan dominates the second half
The Wolverines continued the strong offense opening the half. Dickinson worked inside for four quick points, but Michigan also committed six fouls in the first five minutes.
Nebraska cut the deficit to 15 before Brooks finally heated up. He hit two free throws and made a corner triple, answering a Cornhuskers triple with one of his own at 13:10 to make it 67-47.
A pair of transition finishes from Williams and Houstan pushed the lead back to 71-49 at 11:55, sending several Nebraska fans to the exits.
Houstan’s corner triple at 10:40 pushed it to 76-51 and it was all but over. He’d finish with 16 points with his second straight impressive shooting night (4-for-7 from long range).
It was an even 30-point-lead, 84-54, after a Willams triple and a Dickinson tip-in, and there were still eight minutes to go. They’d finish it out with the backups on the floor.
Williams finished with 20, Dickinson 15 for the Wolverines.
