Michigan
19-1,9-1Big Ten
Nebraska
20-1,9-1Big Ten
Late Surge Lifts Wolverines Past Unbeaten No. 5 Nebraska
1/27/2026 11:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The third-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team rallied for a 75-72 victory over fifth-ranked Nebraska on Tuesday night (Jan. 27) at Crisler Center. The Wolverines trailed for more than 36 minutes but closed the game on a late 6-0 run to secure the comeback win. The victory marked Michigan's first AP Top 5 win over an AP Top 5 opponent at Crisler Center.
Leaders and Best
Morez Johnson Jr. recorded his fourth double-double of the season, leading Michigan with 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting and a 6-for-7 effort at the free-throw line, along with 12 rebounds. Trey McKenney finished with 11 points, knocking down two three-pointers and going 3-for-3 at the stripe. Aday Mara added 10 points on a perfect shooting night, along with seven rebounds and a block, while Yaxel Lendeborg also chipped in 10 points.
Turning Point
Michigan's late comeback took shape in the final minutes. The Wolverines (19-1, 9-1 B1G) had the score within a possession for over three minutes, before Elliot Cadeau drew a foul with 2:16 remaining and converted a free throw to tie the game at 72-72. After forcing a Nebraska (20-1, B1G 9-1) miss and trading turnovers, Michigan found McKenney on the baseline for a layup with 1:07 to play, giving the Wolverines their first lead since the opening minutes.
Second Half
Michigan opened the second half with free throws from Lendeborg but endured an early scoring drought as both teams struggled to find rhythm. Nebraska extended its lead before Lendeborg ended a five-minute Wolverine scoring drought with a layup at the 14:09 mark.
Will Tschetter sparked Michigan with a three-pointer just under 10 minutes remaining, trimming the deficit to five (64-59). McKenney followed by converting all three free throws after drawing a foul on a three-point attempt, and Nebraska held a four-point edge with 7:12 left.
The Wolverines continued to chip away at the margin from the free-throw line. Lendeborg and Johnson each converted two free throws to pull Michigan within one before Cadeau tied the game late.
Michigan closed the game on a 6-0 run over the final three minutes. Nebraska missed three straight field-goal attempts down the stretch, and Mara sealed the outcome by converting one of two free throws with 16.4 seconds remaining. The Cornhuskers were unable to convert a final three-point attempt at the buzzer.
First Half
Nebraska scored on the opening possession and built an early advantage as Michigan struggled to find its offensive rhythm. The Wolverines answered behind Johnson, who accounted for 10 early points, keeping the game within reach despite Nebraska three-point spurts.
Michigan found momentum midway through the half, shooting 8-for-10 from the field during one stretch to stay within two possessions. McKenney connected on back-to-back three-pointers late in the half, and Cadeau added a deep triple to briefly cut the deficit to three.
Nebraska regained separation late, but Michigan closed the half with three straight field goals, including a buzzer-beating basket from Mara, to head into the break trailing 50-48.
What's Next
Michigan will travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State at the Breslin Center on Friday night (Jan. 30) in its second Top 10 matchup of the week. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. on FOX.
Notes
• For the sixth time this season, and the second consecutive game, all three members of Michigan's "Big Three" -- Lendeborg, Johnson Jr. and Mara -- scored in double figures. The trio averages 39 of the Wolverines' nearly 91 points per game (42.9 percent).
• Nebraska's 22 second-half points marked the third-lowest total allowed by Michigan in a half this season and the fewest by a conference opponent. The Wolverines previously held La Salle to 17 points (Dec. 21) and San Diego State to 21 points (Nov. 24), both in the second half.
• Johnson now has four double-doubles this season, surpassing his total from all of last season (three), with 10 conference games and the postseason remaining.
• Michigan improved its all-time record against Nebraska to 24-5 (.827), the highest winning percentage the Wolverines hold against any Big Ten opponent. U-M is now 13-1 against the Cornhuskers in Ann Arbor.
• The victory over No. 5 Nebraska marked Michigan's first AP Top 5 Big Ten win since Feb. 10, 2022, when the Wolverines upset No. 3 Purdue, 82-58, at Crisler Center. All five starters scored in double figures in that contest, led by Hunter Dickinson's 22 points and nine rebounds.
• Tuesday's game was Michigan's 10th matchup at Crisler Center against an AP Top 5 opponent while also ranked in the AP Poll. The only other home win in that scenario came in 1992, when No. 18 Michigan defeated No. 2 Indiana.
• Michigan is now 1-2 all-time in games where both teams were ranked in the AP Top 5, with previous matchups coming against No. 4 Illinois in 2021 and No. 4 Duke in 1993.
• Head coach Dusty May improved to 17-5 in games decided by four points or fewer since taking over in 2024. Michigan is 4-1 in such games this season.
