Nebraska Basketball Game Day: at Iowa
Here is what you need to know going into Nebraska’s regular-season finale today against Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (15-15, 8-11) at Iowa Hawkeyes (19-11, 11-8)
Sunday, March 5, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. CT
Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet: FOX Sports app
Nebraska projected starters
| Sam Griesel | G | Sr. | 6-7/216 | Posted 12 points and a game-high 8 rebounds vs. Michigan State. |
| Jamarques Lawrence | G | Fr. | 6-3/185 | Scored a career-high 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting against MSU. |
| Keisei Tominaga | G | Jr. | 6-2/175 | Had 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting vs. MSU, his 8th 20-point effort. |
| C.J. Wilcher | G | So. | 6-5/208 | Scored just 2 points on 1-of-5 FGs with 3 TOs and 4 fouls vs. MSU. |
| Derrick Walker | F | Sr. | 6-9/245 | Finished with 13 points and shot 6-of-9 in the loss to Michigan St. |
Iowa projected starters
| Tony Perkins | G | Jr. | 6-4/205 | Averages 12.6 points, 2.8 assists, and a team-high 1.4 steals per game. |
| Ahron Ulis | G | Jr. | 6-3/190 | Averaging 6.6 points with 1.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. |
| Connor McCaffery | G | Sr. | 6-6/215 | Scoring 6.6 ppg, a team-high 3.6 apg, leads B1G with 4.0 AST/TO ratio. |
| Kris Murray | F | Jr. | 6-8/220 | Ranks second in the Big Ten with 20.5 ppg and fifth with 8.0 rpg. |
| Filip Rebraca | F | Sr. | 6-9/230 | Scoring 14.0 ppg on 58.2% shooting, ranks 6th in the Big Ten at 7.6 rpg. |
Turn the page
Nebraska is still stinging from its gut-punch Senior Night loss to Michigan State on Tuesday. The Huskers saw a 10-point lead turn into a 13-point defeat over the final 14 minutes, delivering a significant blow to their improbable postseason run. NU has been good about turning the page quickly after tough defeats this season, and that will be critical to keep a potential NIT bid alive. Nebraska will be heavy underdogs today playing an Iowa team on Senior Day that has a possible Big Ten Tournament double-bye on the line. The Huskers are 2-18 all-time in Iowa City and have lost nine straight there dating back to 2012. The average margin of defeat in Fred Hoiberg’s three trips to Carver-Hawkeye has been 28.4 points, with NU giving up a whopping 98.7 ppg. The Huskers won’t stand a chance without the confidence and swagger that has carried them to this point.
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Be ready for a shootout
Few teams in all of college basketball have been hotter offensively the past week than Iowa. The Hawkeyes racked up 112 points in a thrilling overtime win over Michigan State last Saturday. They followed that up by putting up 90 and hitting 13 3-pointers in a blowout road win over Indiana on Tuesday night. Iowa now leads the Big Ten and ranks in the top 20 nationally at 80.7 points scored per game. However, Fran McCaffery’s squad has left much to be desired defensively. Iowa is giving up a league-worst 74.2 ppg and has allowed 80 or more points nine times. The Hawkeyes rank 292nd nationally in defensive effective field goal percentage (52.7) and 277th in defensive 3-point percentage (35.7). Nebraska’s offense has been significantly better over the past month, but it will have to be at its best to keep pace today.
Don’t let Kris Murray take over
In order for Nebraska to play at the necessary level defensively, it must keep Kris Murray from taking the game over. The junior forward is one of the top three-level scorers in the Big Ten, ranking second in the conference with 20.5 points along with 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Murray was one of the few Hawkeyes to get going in the first matchup vs. Nebraska in Lincoln. He finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in a game where his team scored just 50 and shot 26% from the field. Iowa has been red hot the past couple of games, and the Huskers have to find a way to take the head off the snake, so to speak, by keeping Murray in check.
Quotable
“It is disheartening. It hurts. We have not felt that in that locker room in a while, and now, how are we going to respond to that? We have responded well the last couple weeks to find a way to put solid performances behind us and move on to the next one. It is disappointing. It is a hurt locker room. We have to find a way to put it behind us.”
Head coach Fred Hoiberg on Nebraska turning the page from the Michigan State loss to a critical road finale at Iowa.
Prediction
Iowa (-11.5) 84, Nebraska 70
Robin’s overall season record: 19-11
Robin’s record vs. the spread: 16-14
