Michigan Survives Nebraska Thriller, Arizona and Miami Remain Undefeated in College Basketball
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Arizona and Miami (Ohio) stand as the last two unblemished teams in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, following a dramatic week of action that saw No. 3 Michigan narrowly escape an upset bid from No. 5 Nebraska. The Wolverines rallied late to secure a 75-72 victory Tuesday in Ann Arbor, preserving their perfect record and solidifying their position atop the Big Ten standings.
Wolverines Claw Back from Deficit
Michigan improved to 19-1 overall and 9-1 in conference play, joining Michigan State and Nebraska at the summit of the Big Ten. The win didn’t come easy, however, as the Wolverines faced a seven-point deficit with just eight minutes remaining in regulation. A spark from unlikely sources proved crucial in turning the tide.
Senior forward Will Tschetter, according to observers, changed the game’s momentum with his focused defense and relentless energy. He finished with seven points, shooting a perfect percentage from the field, and Michigan outscored Nebraska by eight points during his 15 minutes on the court. Freshman Trey McKenney also provided a significant boost off the bench, contributing 11 points, including a critical go-ahead basket in the final minute.
“Without key contributions from McKenney and Tschetter, Nebraska very well could have notched one of the most impressive road wins of the season,” one analyst noted.
Ultimately, Michigan’s physicality and rebounding prowess sealed the victory. The Wolverines secured six crucial offensive rebounds in the second half, allowing them to control possession and maintain their lead. Morez Johnson Jr. led the scoring effort with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Aday Mara added 10 points and seven boards.
Huskers Fall Short Despite Valiant Effort
Despite the loss, Nebraska (20-1, 9-1) demonstrated championship-level resilience in a challenging situation. The Huskers were without star big man Rienk Mast due to illness and stud sixth man Braden Frager, sidelined with an ankle injury. Even facing a significant disadvantage in personnel, Nebraska unleashed a barrage of three-pointers in the first half, scoring 50 points against Michigan’s highly-regarded defense.
However, the Huskers ran out of steam down the stretch, failing to score for the final 3:21 of the game. Pryce Sandfort led Nebraska with 20 points, while Jamarques Lawrence also chipped in with 20 points, fueled by several key three-pointers. Former walk-on Sam Hoiberg continued his breakout season, contributing 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Both Michigan and Nebraska entered the contest as projected No. 1 seeds in the CBS Sports Bracketology model, and are expected to remain on the top line when the NCAA Tournament bracket projections are updated Wednesday.
Arizona and Miami Maintain Perfection
Following Nebraska’s defeat, No. 24 Miami matched No. 1 Arizona’s 21-0 record with an 86-84 victory over UMass. The Wildcats, meanwhile, held on to defeat No. 13 BYU 86-83 on Monday, continuing their dominant season.
Arizona’s unblemished record is particularly noteworthy, as observers believe the team still has significant room for improvement. “The scary part?” Matt Norlander wrote, “It can still get better.”
As the season progresses, the pressure will undoubtedly mount on Arizona and Miami to maintain their perfect records. However, both teams have demonstrated the talent and resilience necessary to navigate the challenges ahead and remain contenders for the national championship.
