Nebraska Hoops Game Day: Penn State
After a much-needed week off, Nebraska returns to action for a home showdown against Penn State today at 11 a.m. CT.
Here is what you need to know going into the Huskers’ matchup with the Nittany Lions at Pinnacle Bank Arena…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-8, 7-7) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (12-13, 6-8)
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. CT
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,500)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet: B1G+
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Nebraska projected starters
Brice WilliamsGJr.6-7/213Averaging 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over the last two games since taking over as the starting point guard.Keisei Tominaga GSr.6-2/175Scored 15 of his team-high 19 points in the first half in the win over Michigan. Averaging 20.3 ppg on 57% shooting over the last three games.Juwan GaryFJr.6-7/221Averaging 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and shooting 57% from the field over the last three games.Josiah AllickFJr.6-8/231Set season highs in points (16) and rebounds (8) vs. Michigan, including hauling in 4 of NU’s 16 offensive boards.Rienk MastFJr.6-10/248 Finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds and set a career-high with 8 assists in the win over Michigan.
Penn State projected starters
Ace Baldwin Jr. GSr.6-1/190 VCU transfer who was the 2022-23 A-10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Scoring 14.2 ppg with a team-high 5.4 apg and 2.7 spg.D’Marco DunnGJr.6-5/195Scoring 7.0 ppg with six starts in place of leading scorer Kanye Clary (16.7 points), who was out with an injury.Nick Kern Jr.GJr.6-6/200VCU transfer who averages 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game.Zach HicksFJr.6-8/200Averaging 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. Has started all 25 games this season for PSU.Qudus WahabFSr.6-11/245 Averages 9.2 points and leads Penn State with 7.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
3 keys to victory
Handle the press
Turnovers have been an issue for Nebraska all season. Penn State will test the Huskers in that regard as much as anyone of the schedule. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten with an average of 15.2 takeaways per game. That includes a conference-best 8.6 steals per contest. As a result, PSU tops the conference with a 4.24 turnover margin. Nebraska has been erratic against pressure defense throughout the year. The closest NU has seen to Penn State’s style this year is Maryland. The Terrapins turned 18 Husker turnovers into 25 points in their 22-point victory. Nebraska must protect the ball while also continuing to attack on offense.
Crash the glass
As good as Penn State has been with aggressive defense, it’s been equally bad on the boards. The Nittany Lions rank dead-last in the Big Ten in rebound margin (-5.4), defensive rebounding (22.0 rpg), and 12th in offensive boards (9.5 rpg). They’re also 267th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (26.7) and 327th in defensive board percentage (33.0). Nebraska has certainly been up and down on the glass this year. But this could be a game-changing area if the Huskers attack the boards from start to finish.
Rise and shine
Nebraska finally got its first off week of the Big Ten schedule, becoming the last conference team to do so. The rest was much needed, as NU was worn down and beaten up after 12 league games over 39 days. The challenge for the Huskers now becomes picking up where it left off after last week’s impressive win over Michigan. Adding to that task is playing their earliest start time of the season with today’s 11 a.m. tip. The team will arrive at PBA at 7:30 a.m., and the sold-out crowd might still be a bit sleepy. Nebraska has been incredible at home this year, but today could be the definition of a bring-your-own-energy game, at least early on.
Quotable
“Important as we talk about all the time in these early games you have to get off to a good start. Sometimes coming off a week you worry a little bit about rust; how they’re going to react to that. But, again, at this time of the year, this stage, hopefully, your guys are in a good position from a conditioning standpoint and we can go out and get off to a good start.”
-Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg on the importance of the Huskers starting fast vs. Penn State after a week off.
Prediction
Nebraska 78, Penn State 66
Robin’s season record: 16-9
Vs. the spread: 9-16
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