The Nebraska Cornhuskers came up just short of upsetting the Michigan Wolverines in a defensive battle. Despite ultimately losing the game, head coach Fred Hoiberg was happy with the fight his team showed in the game.

The Nebraska basketball team is fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament right now, and they have a golden opportunity for a resume-building win on Monday. The Cornhuskers hosted #15 Michigan, and it was an ugly one that came right down to the wire.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska men’s basketball dropped another one-score game Monday, losing 49-46 to No. 15 Michigan 49. “I am proud of the team,” head coach Fred Hoiberg said. “I am proud of the guys for going out there and giving us a chance when you had about as poor of an offensive night as you can possibly have.”

It started fast. It defended hard for 40 minutes behind the return of Berke Buyuktuncel, back in the lineup after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. It held a top-40 scoring team, averaging over 80 points per game, to under 50.

In a game that was there for the taking, Nebraska simply couldn’t capitalize, and it’s hard to see this as anything other than a major missed opportunity. The defense did everything it needed to do. Holding a top-15 team under 50 points should be enough to secure a win,