Michigan
Nebraska
U-M Set for Trek to Nebraska to Face Huskers
1/15/2024 2:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team (12-5, 3-2 B1G) will hit the road for the first of two straight away from Crisler, heading to Nebraska to face the Huskers (12-5, 4-2 B1G) on Wednesday evening (Jan. 17) at 7 p.m. CST.
Notes
• This is the seventh time in the last eight seasons that U-M is heading to Lincoln to face the Huskers. Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011, U-M has played in Lincoln in all but three seasons (2012-13, 2015-16, 2020-21). This is the second straight season that the teams are playing each other twice, with Michigan sweeping the season series last year.
• After hosting a pair of games last week at Crisler, U-M embarks on a two-game road swing this week. After the contest at Nebraska (Jan. 17), Michigan will play at Rutgers on Sunday (Jan. 21). U-M is 1-1 on the road in conference play, winning at Illinois and dropping a game at Indiana.
• Michigan and Nebraska enter the contest as two of the best rebounding teams in the Big Ten. Nebraska comes in second in rebounding margin (+10.3) and Michigan comes in at No. 3 (+8.7). U-M is first in the league in offensive rebounding (14.8 rpg), with the Huskers right behind in second (13.8 rpg).
• There are four natives of Australia between the two teams in Chyra Evans (Newcastle, NSW), Elissa Brett (Adelaide), Jaz Shelley (Moe) and Jessica Petrie (Gold Coast). Evans (2021) and Shelley (2018) each have been named the winner of the Bob Staunton Medal. The Bob Staunton Medal is awarded to the most outstanding male and female player at the annual Australian Under 20 Championships.
• Michigan's Williams duo -- Cameron Williams and Taylor Williams -- combined for 29 points in Michigan's win over Wisconsin (Jan. 13). Cameron recorded her second double-double of the season in her first start since Dec. 6, going for a season-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. Taylor had 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting in 17 minutes off the bench for her fourth double-figure scoring effort of the season. Between the two of them, they have Michigan's three double-doubles this season.
• Michigan has a pair of double-figure scorers in Laila Phelia (15.8) and Lauren Hansen (11.3), with Jordan Hobbs (9.1) and Brett (8.3) each averaging at least 8.0 points per game.
• U-M is turning the ball over just 9.4 times in conference play, the only team to be in single digits in Big Ten action. Michigan is second in the Big Ten in turnover margin at +7.2 in its five Big Ten contests.
• A year after ranking second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (63.4 ppg), Michigan has continued to find success on the defensive end during the 2023-24 season. U-M is first in the league-scoring defense, allowing just 58.1 points per game. Michigan has held nine of its opponents under 60 points and 14 under 70 points this season.
