Michigan opens B1G play with road blowout of Nebraska
Michigan has been up and down to start the season on the hardwood, but the Wolverines were firing on all cylinders early and often against Nebraska. The Huskers proved overmatched while falling to 0-2 in conference play in the 102-67 loss to Michigan.
The Wolverines started the first half with some hot shooting and elite ball movement. It set multiple guys up for wide-open looks with plenty of shots falling from 3-point range.
Easy as 1-2-❸ for Caleb Houstan 😤.
CC: @umichbball pic.twitter.com/ckNX65tdzD
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 8, 2021
Michigan was without star freshman Moussa Diabate after he did not make the trip due to an illness. However, Brandon Johns Jr. made the most of the opportunity in the starting lineup.
Johns tied for the team-high with 20 points on 6-for-9 shooting. He added 5 rebounds and went 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
Terrance Williams II was the high scorer for Michigan as 5 Wolverines hit double figures. Williams finished with 20 points off the bench on 8-for-11 shooting and a perfect 3-for-3 from deep.
The hot-shooting Wolverines finished the night on 51.3% shooting with 25 assists on 39 made field goals. Michigan also had it going from 3-point range while shooting 15-for-32 (46.9%) from deep.
Alonzo Verge Jr. was the lone bright spot for the Huskers with a season-high 31 points on 12-for-21 shooting. He added 8 rebounds and 3 assists but did not receive much help.
.@zo_verge1 continues to make 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓼 for @HuskerHoops. 💥 pic.twitter.com/EmkyaIOKxU
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 8, 2021
As a team, Nebraska went just 5-for-35 from 3-point range and shot 31.9% from the floor. Star freshman Bryce McGowens was held in check with a 2-for-9 shooting night. McGowens finished the game with 8 points and 6 rebounds in the loss.