Indiana’s first street recreation ideas off Friday evening in Lincoln in opposition to Nebraska at Pinnacle Financial institution Enviornment. The Huskers are 6-2 and are coming off an 89-52 loss at Michigan State.
Friday’s recreation is an 8 p.m. ET tip on FOX:
Indiana’s struggles in opposition to final season are nicely documented. The Hoosiers misplaced thrice to the Huskers and not one of the video games have been aggressive. Nebraska gained 86-70 in Lincoln on January 3, 85-70 in Bloomington on February 21 and 93-66 on the Massive Ten match on March 16. That’s a median margin of 18.
Each groups underwent roster makeovers within the offseason. Nonetheless, Fred Hoiberg’s skill to unfold Indiana out and rating a median of 88 factors in three straightforward wins was a significant purpose the Hoosiers didn’t sniff the NCAA match a season in the past.
The Hoosiers have gained 4 straight video games (all by 15 or extra factors), however a win Friday could be a surefire sign the Hoosiers are trending in the appropriate route after a shaky efficiency final month within the Bahamas.
MEET THE HUSKERS
After reaching the NCAA match for the primary time underneath Hoiberg final March, the Huskers are in a transition interval in his sixth season. Keisei Tominaga graduated, Rienk Mast is out for the season with a knee harm and the offense has taken a big step again statistically.
In accordance with KenPom.com, Nebraska had the nation’s Thirty second-best offense final season however is at the moment ranked 99th this season after eight video games.
Three Huskers are averaging double figures – seniors Brice Williams, Juwan Gary and junior Connor Essegian.
This wing-heavy offensive assault presents issues for an Indiana rotation that includes a frontcourt that doesn’t guard nicely away from the paint (Oumar Ballo and Malik Reneau) and struggles to protect motion and execute switches (Mackenzie Mgbako).
Williams is a 6-foot-7 fifth-year wing who is great at attending to the road and converts at an elite charge. He leads the Huskers with 17.5 factors per recreation and shoots 92.5 % (53 makes an attempt) from the road. He’s additionally a succesful 3-point shooter and has related on 11 of his 29 makes an attempt from deep.
The 6-foot-6 Gary, one other fifth-year participant, is an undersized 4 averaging 10.6 factors and 4.4 rebounds in 25 minutes per recreation. Gary is simply 7-for-27 on 3s (25.9 %).
Essegian, an Indiana native, was one of many Massive Ten’s greatest freshmen two seasons in the past at Wisconsin. After falling out of the common rotation in Madison final season, Essegian entered the switch portal and landed in Lincoln the place he’s returned to kind in his third season. Essegian is Nebraska’s second-leading scorer at 13 factors per recreation. He’s made a team-high 20 3-pointers and is capturing 42.6 % from the perimeter.
Utah switch Rollie Worster has taken over the place to begin guard spot for the Huskers. One other fifth-year participant, the 6-foot-5 Worster is averaging a team-high 2.6 assists and is second on the workforce with 1.5 steals per recreation.
Ahron Ulis, who sat out final season following a playing probe and Sam Hoiberg present a lot of the backup minutes within the backcourt. The 6-foot-3 Ulis is simply 2-for-13 on 3s and is capturing 33 % from the sphere. Hoiberg is an power participant who’s fearless in attacking offensively and is a significant pest defensively. His 1.8 steals per recreation lead the Huskers.
On the wing, Rutgers switch Gavin Griffiths hasn’t made a 3-pointer since Nov. 13 and is 3-for-19 from distance on the season. The 6-foot-7 sophomore was thought of among the best shooters within the nation popping out of highschool.
With Mast sitting out this season, Hoiberg has pieced collectively a frontcourt that features three transfers: Braxton Meah, Andrew Morgan and Berke Buyuktuncel.
Meah, who beforehand performed at Fresno State and Washington, gives the Huskers with respectable dimension within the publish at 7-foot-1 and 264 kilos. He’s averaging 3.7 factors and 4 rebounds in quarter-hour per recreation.
Morgan is a 6-foot-10, 245-pound arrival from North Dakota State who’s the workforce’s second-leading rebounder. Morgan pulls down 5.3 rebounds in 17 minutes per recreation off the bench whereas averaging 8.4 factors on 45 % capturing.
Buyuktuncel transferred from UCLA and began the primary six video games for Nebraska. He’s the main rebounder at 5.9 per recreation, is making 75 % of his 2s and has a team-best six blocked photographs.
TEMPO-FREE PREVIEW
Each groups are taking part in with tempo, with Nebraska rating 88th in adjusted tempo, per KenPom.com and Indiana at thirty ninth.
The Huskers, nonetheless, are dealing with the ball significantly better than the Hoosiers and forcing extra turnovers. By 10 video games, Indiana has dedicated 140 turnovers and compelled simply 121, whereas Nebraska has dedicated 90 and compelled 130.
The free-throw line may also be key for each packages. The Huskers excel at drawing fouls after which changing on the line. Nebraska’s free-throw share of 76.6 ranks 51st within the nation and thirtieth in free-throw charge (FTA/FGA).
Whereas 3-point capturing was Nebraska’s major energy offensively final season, that isn’t the case this season. The Huskers are taking fewer 3s – their 3PA/FGA is 38.2 % this season versus 44.3 % final season. Nebraska shot 35.7 % from deep final season and is simply 29.8 % this season from deep.
WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO
The KenPom projection is Nebraska by one, with a 47 % probability of an IU victory. Bart Torvik’s scores favor the Huskers by two, with a 43 % probability of a Hoosier victory.
Indiana performed one among its greatest video games this season in opposition to Minnesota on Monday however nonetheless struggled for stretches within the second half.
The Hoosiers should maintain the ball and restrict Nebraska’s free throw makes an attempt to prevail in what must be a hostile setting in Lincoln. Nebraska has one of many higher home-court benefits within the league and has dominated Indiana not too long ago.
The Huskers may also be seeking to rebound from an embarrassing 37-point beatdown in East Lansing and keep away from an 0-2 begin in Massive Ten play. For Indiana, the street journey marks a possibility to seize a fifth-straight win and set up clear momentum heading into the 2 last non-conference video games in Bloomington later this month.
Filed to: Nebraska Cornhuskers
