NU ladies reply to adversity with wins, and now No. 14 Michigan is of their sights

The Nebraska ladies’s basketball staff has already skilled a spread of feelings through the first portion of its schedule.

The Huskers thought Sam Haiby would not play this season after an offseason knee damage, however then the damage wasn’t as dangerous as initially believed and she or he’s again taking part in.

There have additionally been accidents to Isabelle Bourne, and now Allison Weidner. Nebraska bought dominated by Creighton in a 26-point loss on Nov. 15, however improved to beat Maryland for the primary time in program historical past on Dec. 4.

After seven weeks, Nebraska has a stable 10-3 report, hasn’t misplaced at residence, is 2-2 in opposition to ranked groups and is on a five-game successful streak. The early projections by ESPN have Nebraska sitting properly for a second straight journey to the NCAA Event.

Now it’s all Large Ten opponents till the postseason, and Nebraska feels prepared. The Huskers host one other ranked staff when No. 14 Michigan involves Pinnacle Financial institution Area for a 6 p.m. recreation Wednesday.

Bourne missed three video games earlier this month with an damage however is again within the beginning lineup. She likes how Nebraska has performed as a staff through the up-and-downs.

“We’re preventing to beat challenges and adversity,” Bourne stated, the newest instance being a three-overtime win in opposition to Kansas final week. “We’ve had folks out, and other people in, and totally different rotations. We’ve had robust video games. We’ve had a lot of various things thrown at us. And the best way we’ve come collectively these final couple of video games, you possibly can see we’re beginning to get on a roll in the best way that we’re taking part in collectively.”

At instances, Nebraska hasn’t had many further out there gamers on the bench as a result of damage, however coach Amy Williams stated Nebraska’s depth might have been a distinction within the win in opposition to the Jayhawks.

That depth bought a lift when Maggie Mendelson just lately began taking part in for the Huskers after being on the Nebraska volleyball staff this fall.

The 6-foot-5 heart is averaging 9 factors and 6 rebounds per recreation.

“For a 17-year-old to be on the market in additional time making large performs it’s so thrilling,” Bourne stated. “And I’m excited to see how far she will go. She has a lot confidence, and nice strikes within the publish already, so to see how far she’s going to maintain going, it’s thrilling.”

And whereas Mendelson is studying the offense and has hardly any expertise on the school degree, she’s bought this going for her — attending to the free-throw line and changing, making 10-of-13.

Jaz Shelley has supplied quite a lot of offense over the previous seven video games. The junior guard is averaging 20.6 factors and 5.7 assists whereas making 51% of her area objectives.

In the course of the first half of Nebraska’s win in opposition to Kansas, Shelley had three nice assists. Then Shelley scored 22 of her game-high 24 factors after halftime.

“Her versatility, it’s fairly particular,” Williams stated.

With Weidner possible lacking time as a result of a knee damage, Haiby’s return to the staff is much more useful.

“Clearly bringing Sam Haiby again into the combination, she’s only a particular, skilled participant that is aware of how one can run a staff,” Williams stated. “Our entire staff feels snug when she’s on the ground.”

Michigan involves Lincoln with an 11-1 report following a 76-68 win over No. 6 North Carolina final week. The Wolverines scored a program-record 35 first-quarter factors and by no means appeared again in opposition to the Tar Heels.

Former Husker Leigha Brown led Michigan with 25 factors in opposition to North Carolina. Brown has moved into a degree guard position for the Wolverines in her fifth season general and third in Ann Arbor. The senior is averaging 14.9 factors, 4.8 rebounds and a team-best 5.2 assists.

Michigan is significantly totally different this season after the commencement of All-American ahead Naz Hillmon, the fifteenth general choose within the 2022 WNBA Draft. She averaged 21 factors and 9 rebounds final season. Nebraska nonetheless received each video games in opposition to Michigan final season, together with an upset within the Large Ten Event quarterfinals.

Williams is one win shy of 300 profession victories — she is 299-196 (.604) in 16 seasons, together with a 106-87 (.549) report in seven seasons at Nebraska.