Michigan slowed, but still prevails; Huskers latest victim in 16-0 start

Michigan's Glenn Robinson III passes against Nebraska's Andre Almeida. The Wolverines play Sunday at Ohio State.

ANN ARBOR — Trey Burke has a good idea of what to expect when Michigan takes the court at Ohio State on Sunday.

"I expect pretty much the same atmosphere as last year," Burke said. "It was very intense. We all were getting booed. It should be fun."

The difference this time is that the Wolverines will be undefeated when they face their rivals to the south. Second-ranked Michigan assured that with a 62-47 win over Nebraska on Wednesday night.

The Wolverines (16-0, 3-0 Big Ten) equaled their best start to a season. Only the 1985-86 team had started 16-0, and that was also the last Michigan team to be unbeaten heading into a game at Ohio State, according to STATS. On Jan. 4, 1986, the Wolverines improved to 14-0 with a 78-68 win in Columbus.

Michigan won despite its shakiest shooting performance in a while. Burke had 18 points as Tim Hardaway, Jr., added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Ray Gallegos scored 19 for Nebraska (9-7, 0-3), which held the Wolverines to 39 percent shooting. Michigan, which beat its first two conference opponents by 28 points apiece, went 3 of 17 from 3-point range.

"It's a great win. We had to grind one out," coach John Beilein said.

"That adversity is good stuff in the long run."

With the game still in doubt, freshman Glenn Robinson III intercepted a pass near midcourt and went in alone for a soaring dunk that put Michigan ahead 47-39.

After a 3-pointer by Gallegos cut the lead to five, Robinson slammed down a missed shot by teammate Caris LeVert to make it a seven-point game.

Michigan's Mitch McGary went diving on the floor for a loose ball, causing a jump ball that gave possession to the Wolverines. The 6-foot-10 freshman then began waving his arms, trying to pump up the crowd.

McGary's layup at the other end made it 51-42, and Hardaway's two free throws put Michigan up by double digits for the first time.

"As long as we can run our offense and execute, there's people on this team that can score no matter what," McGary said. "Tonight, we weren't hitting shots like we wanted to, so we just needed to make up for it on the defensive end, and I think we did that."