The Cornhuskers head into the December 7th Michigan at Nebraska betting matchup having lost five straight to the Wolverines. Since joining the Big Ten in 2011, Nebraska has gone a stumbling 1-13 vs. Michigan so a win on Tuesday night in Lincoln would be a rarity.
Michigan (5-3) is a -7 point favorite as they try to climb back into the top 25 freefalling from as high as the #4 spot after losses to Seton Hall, Arizona, and North Carolina. UM has alternated wins and losses over the past seven games, so could they be in trouble coming off a 72-58 victory over San Diego State?
Wolverines Have Dominated This Series
Michigan gets their conference season underway on Tuesday night hoping to continue their dominance over Nebraska. The teams met just once last season, with the Wolverines getting an 80-69 win on Christmas, covering the -7.5 spread. Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner combined for 37 points in that game, so losing them to the NBA will hurt Juwan Howard’s team.
Hunter Dickinson (14.5 ppg) and Eli Brooks (14.4) have stepped up to lead Michigan in scoring this season. They’ll be up against a Nebraska team that played tough in their conference opener against Indiana, losing 55-68 in Bloomington as +11.5 underdogs.
Michigan received 11 votes to get into the Top 25 this week, but it’s not sure how impressive a win over 5-4 Nebraska would be. The Wolverines have played the 8th toughest schedule in the country, and their losses have come against #23 Seton Hall (7-1), #11 Arizona (7-0), and North Carolina who is 6-2.
How Does Nebraska Get This Win?
The Cornhuskers had a rough start to the season, going 1-2 with losses to Creighton as a -3 point favorite and to Western Illinois in the season opener as a -17.5 favorite. Both of those games were also at home, although the Cornhuskers rebounded nicely with four straight victories at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Fred Hoiberg’s squad is back home in the December 7th Michigan at Nebraska matchup after suffering a couple road losses at NC State (104-100 in OT) and Indiana (68-55). Can the Cornhuskers rebound against a program that has beaten them 13 of the last 14 times?
If Nebraska is to pull of the unlikely, they’ll need another big night from the duo of Bryce McGowens (17.3 ppg) and Alonzo Verge, Jr. (15.0 ppg). McGowens had just 8 points in the loss to the Hoosiers, while Verge went for 15, a game after scoring 25 vs. NC State. The 55 point outing in the Big Ten opener was disappointing considering the Cornhuskers had scored 78+ in five straight prior.
December 7th Michigan at Nebraska Pick
The Wolverines haven’t just beaten Nebraska five times, they’ve generally beat up on them. Each of those victories came by at least 11 points including and the last two in Lincoln by exactly 11. That gives the Wolverines some solid value at -7 on Tuesday night.
Michigan has suffered three losses this season, but to three high quality teams. Nebraska doesn’t necessarily fit into that category just yet, especially after their 13 point loss to Indiana in the opener to conference playwhile scoring just 55 points.
Michigan 78 – Nebraska 62
Free Pick: Michigan -7
