Nebraska Hoops Game Day: at Kansas State
On the heels of a bounce-back win over Michigan State, Nebraska hopes to pick up an important non-conference road win today at Kansas State.
Here is what you need to know going into the Huskers’ Big Eight/Big 12 rematch with the Wildcats in Manhattan, Kansas…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-2, 1-1) at Kansas State Wildcats (8-2, 0-2)
Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 – 2:00 p.m. CT
Bramlage Coliseum (11,654)
TV: Big 12 Now (ESPN+)
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet: ESPN+
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Nebraska projected starters
Jamarques Lawrence GSo.6-3/183Scored just 2 points on 1-5 shooting but had four assists in the win over Michigan State.Keisei TominagaGSr.6-2/175Had 15 points vs. MSU after being held scoreless at Minnesota. He’s scored in double figures in five of his eight games played.Brice WilliamsGJr.6-7/213Scored all of his 14 points vs. Michigan State in the second half on 4-of-4 shooting.Juwan GaryFJr.6-6/221Made his first start of the season vs. Michigan State and tied his career high with 20 points on 8-11 shooting.Rienk MastFJr.6-10/248 Posted a career-high 6 assists and a game-high 14 rebounds vs. MSU. Had 5 and 10 boards in the second half.
Kansas State projected starters
Tylor PerryGSr.5-11/1802022-23 Conference USA Player of the Year at North Texas. Averages 16.2 ppg and a team-best 5.5 apg.Camryn CarterGJr.6-3/195Leads the team at 16.9 points per game while averaging 5.6 rebounds per game. Arthur KalumaFJr.6-7/225Creighton transfer averaging 16.6 points and a team-high 8.6 rebounds per game.David N’Guessan FSr.6-9/220Transfer from Virginia Tech averaging 7.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game this season. Will McNair Jr.FSr.6-11/265 Mississippi State/New Mexico State transfer. Averages 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
3 keys to victory
Get back in transition
Kansas State might not have a roster as talented as its Elite Eight squad from a year ago. But the Wildcats are still loaded with athletes who thrive in transition. Look for KSU to push the ball up the floor after every Nebraska miss and turnover, meaning the Huskers must get back quickly on defense. K-State has struggled to take care of the ball this season, ranking 282nd in turnover percentage (20.2). NU must force Kansas State to earn shots in the half-court and not allow momentum-changing fastbreak points.
Finish stops on the glass
When Nebraska does force Kansas State to run half-court offense, the next priority is finishing off possessions after missed shots. The Wildcats will crash the offensive glass as aggressively as any opponent NU has seen to date. They rank 12th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (38.3) and average 14.2 per game, led by 3.0 orpg from David N’Guessan. Nebraska has had its issues on the defensive glass this season, giving up double-figure offensive boards in six of its first 10 games. The Huskers cannot afford to let KSU get multiple looks per possession today.
Stay locked in
After an impressive 7-0 start to the season, Nebraska had a week off leading up to its rivalry showdown vs. Creighton. After a 29-point blowout defeat, the extended break clearly didn’t work in NU’s favor. The Huskers had a similar situation this week, as their bounce-back win over Michigan State was followed with another week-long layoff. Head coach Fred Hoiberg and C.J. Wilcher said on Friday that they felt a different focus and intensity during practices this week compared to those before Creighton. Nebraska must be dialed in from start to finish in what should be the most daunting road environment it’s seen this year at “The Octagon of Doom.” NU played its best 20 minutes of the season in the first half at Minnesota but followed with its worst 20 in a second-half collapse. There can’t be any let-off this afternoon.
Quotable
“I thought they kept their poise and composure (vs. Michigan State). One thing I was really pleased with our team was how well they were communicating in huddles, and talking to each other, and taking constructive criticism, and then going out and executing. That makes our job as coaches a lot easier when those guys are over there talking about things that they need to figure out on the floor. I thought our huddles were the best they’ve been all year.”
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg on his team’s improved composure and communication in last week’s win over Michigan State.
Prediction
Kansas State (-5.5) 80, Nebraska 73
Robin’s season record: 7-3
Vs. the spread: 5-5
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