Michigan vs. Nebraska GameHub: Preview and How to Watch

Charles Matthews could possibly be playing his final game in Crisler Center tonight. He came to Michigan as a discarded former five-star out of Kentucky. Now, he’s one of the conference’s best defensive stoppers for a program that’s gone 57-12 the last two seasons.

UPDATE: He’s out.

The redshirt junior wing is getting honored tonight for Senior Day, indicating that the NBA Draft is a possibility.

With Nebraska coming to Ann Arbor, and the Wolverines fresh off Sunday’s humbling home loss to Michigan State, expect Matthews and company to show up in force one last time.

The Cornhuskers (15-13) are led by senior guard James Palmer (18.9 points per game). He’s not a particularly good shooter (39 percent from two, 31 percent from three), but he ranks No. 15 nationally in drawing fouls per 40 minutes.

He will look to get his shot up for a Nebraska’s top-40 efficiency offense.

With senior forward Isaac Copeland out for the year, the front court load has been shouldered by Isaiah Roby. The 6-foot-8 junior averages 11.3 points and 7.1 boards a contest. He scored an efficient 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting in last year’s 72-52 Michigan defeat in Lincoln.

Nebraska is 2-9 in its last 11 games, and is a little over a week removed from allowing 95 points to Penn State in Happy Valley. Without Copeland, the defense has suffered, ceding 1.07 points per possession in conference play (second-worst).

The Wolverines sit a game behind Purdue and Michigan State for first in the Big Ten, needing a win tonight to stay alive in the race. Ken Pomeroy projects a 70-59 victory with an 84 percent probability.

How To Watch:

Teams: No. 9 Michigan Wolverines (24-4) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (15-13)

Date: Thursday, Feb. 28

Location: Crisler Center — Ann Arbor, Mich.

Tipoff: 7 p.m. EST

Television: ESPN

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