The Nebraska men’s basketball program is home for the holidays, as the Huskers host Michigan on a Christmas Day matchup at Pinnacle Bank Area.
Tipoff between the Huskers and Wolverines is slated for shortly after 5 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM with coverage on the Huskers Sports Network beginning at 4 p.m.
Nebraska’s game with Michigan is one of four Big Ten Christmas games this season. It will mark the second time that Nebraska has played on Christmas and the first time since a 71-58 win over Ohio at the 2014 Diamond Head Classic.
The Huskers (4-4) held Wisconsin to 40 percent shooting, but a 16-0 second-half spurt doomed NU in a 67-53 loss to the ninth-ranked Badgers on Tuesday night. Dalano Banton’s 15 points and eight boards led three Huskers in double figures, but Nebraska shot 33 percent from the field, including 8-of-27 from 3-point range. Nebraska led by one with 14:23 remaining, but went more than eight minutes without a field goal while the Badgers took control. Teddy Allen (11) and Trey McGowens (10) also finished in double figures in a losing effort.
The loss overshadowed a strong defensive effort against the Badgers, who were in the top-10 nationally in offensive efficiency heading into the contest. NU held the Badgers to its second-lowest offensive output of the season, marking the fifth time in eight games that Nebraska has held an opponent to 40 percent or less from the field.
No. 19 Michigan comes off a 62-58 win over Penn State on Dec. 13. In that game, freshman Hunter Dickinson had 20 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots to pace three Wolverines in double figures. Michigan held Penn State to 31 percent shooting and withstood 16 turnovers which led to 18 Nittany Lions points. Eli Books (12) and Isaiah Livers (10) also finished in double figures for the Wolverines.
Friday’s game will mark the Huskers’ second straight against a ranked team and third in nine games.
