Big Ten Daily (February 8): At last, Michigan defeats No. 11 Wisconsin to end a losing streak
This season has presented challenges for Michigan, but on Wednesday night, head coach Juwan Howard had reason to celebrate his birthday with a smile as the Wolverines snapped a five-game losing streak, upsetting No. 11 Wisconsin 72-68 in Ann Arbor. Leading the charge was Dug McDaniel, who contributed 16 points to the victory, supported by three other Wolverines with double-digit scoring: Tarris Reed Jr. with 12 points, Will Tschetter with 11, and Terrance Williams II with 10. Olivier Nkamhoua excelled on the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds along with eight points. After the game, Howard expressed relief and acknowledged the team’s perseverance through a challenging season. While Michigan’s postseason prospects are slim, the win against Wisconsin provides a confidence boost for the remainder of the year. However, the Wolverines face a demanding schedule ahead, including matchups with Nebraska, No. 10 Illinois, Michigan State, Northwestern, and No. 2 Purdue. Howard’s team concludes with games against Ohio State and Nebraska in March, making it one of the tougher schedules in the Big Ten.
Nebraska’s road struggles continued with an 80-68 loss to Northwestern in Evanston on Wednesday. The Huskers remain winless on the road in Big Ten play, sharing this distinction with only Ohio State in the conference. Despite their success at home against formidable opponents like No. 2 Purdue, No. 11 Wisconsin, and Northwestern, Nebraska has struggled to secure a road victory. Coach Fred Hoiberg acknowledged the difficulty of playing top teams on the road but highlighted close contests against Rutgers and Illinois where a different outcome could have boosted confidence. With three more road opportunities against Indiana, Ohio State, and Michigan, the Huskers aim to secure a valuable away win and enhance their postseason credentials.
While Nick Saban has stepped away from coaching, he remains connected to college football by joining ESPN’s College GameDay crew. The former coach of Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama, with seven national championships to his name, expressed his honor in joining the renowned pre-game show. Saban, who retired after the 2023 season, looks forward to providing additional insights and perspectives to College GameDay, continuing his involvement in the sport he has contributed to throughout his illustrious career.
