CBB: Michigan pulls away on Senior Day
The Michigan Wolverines (19-11, 10-9) pulled away from the Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-23, 2-17) on Thursday, March 5 which was Senior Day at the Crisler Center. The Wolverines celebrated the careers of seniors Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske, who will leave the program as the winningest duo in school history with a current record of 108-38, including two Big Ten Tournament titles, two Sweet Sixteen appearances, and one Final Four berth. Simpson finished with 11 points, 10 assists, and two rebounds in the 82-58 win over Nebraska. Teske totaled 12 points, five rebounds, and one assists. Isaiah Livers, a junior forward, scored a team-high 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Nebraska was led by Haanif Cheatham as he notched a game-high 19 points and five rebounds in the loss.
Despite coming away with a blowout victory in the end, Michigan didn't start the game very quickly. Livers made a pair of three-pointers at the beginning of the game but then struggled to find any type of rhythm for the remainder of the first half. Simpson also struggled to get it going in the opening 20 minutes as he missed three scoring opportunities right around the rim. The Wolverines led 32-28 at halftime before coming out in the second half and shutting down any idea of an upset. Teske found a cutting Livers, who finished with a strong right-handed dunk, on the first play of the half and that set the tone for the remainder of the night. Michigan increased their lead to double digits and never looked back as they outscored the Cornhuskers 50-30 in the second half. The Wolverines finish the regular season on Sunday, March 8 against #9 Maryland.
Mark Turgeon's team still has a chance to win the Big Ten regular season championship so they should be locked in for that game from the jump. I don't think Michigan will be able to hang with the Terrapins for an entire 40 minutes. Nebraska will close out their season on the road as well, as they head to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday at noon. Neither team is projected to make the upcoming NCAA Tournament but Minnesota will be playing for position in the NIT and possibly Richard Pitino's job security. Nebraska won't reach a postseason tournament in Fred Hoiberg's first season with the program unless they're somehow able to win the Big Ten Tournament title. The tournament will begin on March 11 in Indianapolis with the championship game taking place on Sunday, March 15.
Photo Credit: MGoBlue.
