Nebraska Cornhuskers at Michigan Wolverines

No. 9 Michigan beats Nebraska 82-53 in home finale

The Wolverines didn't miss a beat.

Jon Teske scored a career-high 22 points, and No. 9 Michigan easily rebounded from its loss to Michigan State with an 82-53 victory over Nebraska on Thursday night. The Wolverines were without Charles Matthews, out with a right ankle injury, but Isaiah Livers replaced him in the starting lineup and had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Livers started 22 games last season as a freshman, but this season, Michigan's starting five for its first 28 games was Matthews, Teske, Iggy Brazdeikis, Jordan Poole and Zavier Simpson. That finally changed because of the injury to the 6-foot-6 Matthews, who had a boot on the injured ankle. Coach John Beilein didn't give any details on Matthews' prognosis.

The Wolverines (25-4, 14-4 Big Ten) raced out to a 22-point halftime lead behind Teske and Brazdeikis. It was the last home game for Michigan, which finishes the regular season with trips to Maryland and Michigan State.

Brazdeikis went down holding his left knee near the end of the first half, but he walked off without assistance and was back at the beginning of the second. He finished with 20 points.

Nana Akenten scored 11 points for Nebraska (15-14, 5-13).

BIG PICTURE

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers nearly shook up the conference title race when they played Purdue tough over the weekend but lost by three. They put up little resistance against Michigan. James Palmer, Nebraska's leading scorer, was held to a season-low seven points.

"Obviously the wins aren't there and we've been racking up a lot of losses, but give credit to the teams we've played," forward Tanner Borchardt said.

HONORED

Michigan honored Matthews on senior night. He has a year of eligibility left but is a candidate to leave early for the NBA.

"He's one of the best kids I've ever coached," Beilein said. "He's a Kentucky transfer, and he just came in here and he just bought in a hundred percent."

Matthews, who has played two seasons at Michigan, briefly addressed the crowd after the game, expressing his appreciation.

RESERVES

Michigan went deep into its bench in this blowout win. Freshman Colin Castleton scored 11 points in 9:09. He'd scored six points all season before Thursday.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Michigan took care of business while short-handed, but its next matchup this week is the more intriguing game.

UP NEXT

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers will try one more time to be a spoiler in the race for first place, playing at No. 6 Michigan State on Tuesday night.

Michigan: The Wolverines play at No. 17 Maryland on Sunday.

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Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister

How can I watch Nebraska vs. Michigan?

• TV Channel: Nebraska at Michigan 2021 College Basketball, week 17, is broadcasted on ESPN.
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