Juwan Howard reveals how Michigan responded to Nebraska run before halftime

Michigan took a commanding lead over Nebraska early in the first half and appeared to be in good position to go to the locker room. But the Cornhuskers responded with a 17-5 run to end the half and cut the Wolverines’ lead to 12 points — and Juwan Howard noted the mistakes his team made.

Howard spoke with Big Ten Network’s Robbie Hummel after the game and said some turnovers helped get Nebraska back into it after Michigan took a 41-17 lead. However, he addressed it in the locker room and he was happy with how his team responded en route to the resounding 93-72 win — especially since Nebraska guard Keisei Tominaga had another big night.

“Overall, I was disappointed with the run at the end of the [first] half because I felt that we started to play the scoreboard,” Howard said. “Those were some uncharacteristic turnovers. I look at it like, ‘Hey, when you make turnovers like that, simple plays with guys not locked in, they’re looking away from the ball, they’re not moving to the ball,’ doing the basics. Sometimes, those teams that you got up early on, those are the types of plays that can really hurt you at the end. We addressed that at halftime. The guys took ownership of it, which was the best thing.

“Then, we came out in the second half, we just wanted to focus [on] trying to keep them out of the paint. There were times when they still got those backdoor cuts. Tominaga … he’s a tough one. He can compete. He’s really good. Much respect to him.”

Juwan Howard: More players stepping up ‘opens up a lot’ for Michigan

Six Wolverines scored in double figures Wednesday, led by 22 points from Jett Howard. Dug McDaniel added 14, Joey Baker had 11 and Terrance Williams II added 10. Having that strength in numbers proved huge for Michigan, and Howard said that helped make the difference in the game because it took some of the weight off Hunter Dickinson’s shoulders.

“It helps a lot because it takes a lot of load off the big fella,” Howard said. “We have guys, of course, that are making plays where either they’re driving to the basket for a layup or get fouled or where they’re making open shots. It sort of opens up for a lot of us, and I say ‘a lot of us,’ like the guys that are coming off the bench.

“You saw Jace Howard able to come in and making a three, you have Joey Baker get hot in the first half. That’s because they’re playing the right way. I told them, let’s make our defense dictate our offense. How is that is by being disruptive in passing lanes, holding them to one-shot opportunities, contesting shots. And then, just being active with our hands without fouling.”