Nebraska Basketball Game Day: Kansas State
Here is what you need to know going into Nebraska’s rematch with former Big Eight and Big 12 Conference foe Kansas State in Kansas City, Missouri…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-5, 0-2) vs Kansas State Wildcats (9-1, 0-0)
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 – 6:00 p.m. CT
T-Mobile Center (18,972)
TV: None
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet: Big 12 Now/ESPN+
Nebraska projected starters
| Sam Griesel | G | Sr. | 6-7/216 | Had 8 rebounds and 4 assists vs. Purdue but was 2-14 shooting. |
| Emmanuel Bandoumel | G | Sr. | 6-4/187 | Hit a season-high four 3-pointers and had 14 points vs. Purdue. |
| C.J. Wilcher | G | So. | 6-5/208 | Held scoreless on 0-6 shooting with 3 assists against Purdue. |
| Juwan Gary | F | Jr. | 6-6/215 | Posted 6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals vs. Purdue. |
| Derrick Walker | F | Sr. | 6-9/245 | Has posted three double-doubles over the past six games. |
Kansas State projected starters
| Markquis Nowell | G | Sr. | 5-8/160 | Averaging 14.2 ppg and ranks second nationally with 8.2 apg. |
| Cam Carter | G | So. | 6-3/190 | Averages 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. |
| Keyontae Johnson | F | Sr. | 6-6/230 | Florida transfer averaging 17.3 ppg. Scored in 10+ points in all 10 games. |
| David N’Guessan | F | Jr. | 6-9/215 | Scoring 8.3 ppg on 72.3% shooting. Has shot 14-14 over last two games. |
| Nae’Qwan Tomlin | F | Jr. | 6-10/210 | Averages 9.9 ppg. Had 15 points and a season-high 9 boards vs. IWU. |
Handle the pressure
Nebraska has already faced its share of high-pressure defenses this season. Today will be yet another test in that regard, as Kansas State will pester NU’s ball handlers with a variety of presses and traps. Led by Markquis Nowell (2.0 steals per game), the Wildcats rank ninth nationally in defensive turnover percentage (25.5). The Huskers have done well, for the most part, against the press, especially since the return of Derrick Walker as a critical mid-court release option. But they must protect the ball for all 40 minutes to prevent KSU from changing momentum with turnovers and transition offense.
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Keep Keyontae Johnson in check
A player who many thought might never play again after a scary health condition while at Florida, Keyontae Johnson has been a game-changer for Kansas State. At 17.3 ppg, the senior ranks third in the Big 12 in scoring while shooting 59.2% and pacing KSU with 6.4 rpg. He’s scored in double figures in all 10 games as a Wildcat, and there is no question who makes the offense go. Johnson officially visited and nearly chose Nebraska before committing to K-State this summer. For the Huskers to win today, they have to keep him in check.
Get Griesel going
Nebraska was without one of its best players and leaders at Indiana in Sam Griesel, who was held out due to an illness. The senior point guard returned against Purdue and played 38 minutes, but he showed obvious signs of fatigue and shot 2-of-14 from the field. A week of recovery should be invaluable for Griesel, and the Huskers need him to be on point from start to finish tonight. At 6-7, 215, Griesel presents an appealing matchup against Kansas State’s smaller guards in Nowell (5-8, 160) and Cam Carter (6-3, 190). The two-man game with him and Walker could be a go-to offensive formula for NU.
Quotable
“These guys have really bought into that side of the ball, and I think that’s become the identity of this team. When the ball doesn’t go into the hoop a lot of times it’s hard and demoralizing to stay in the game. … But our guys are doing it on that end, and it hasn’t mattered if the ball is going in – they’ve continued to fight, and that’s what’s given us the chance to win.”
NU head coach Fred Hoiberg on the Huskers taking on a defensive identity this season.
Prediction
Nebraska (+3) 68, Kansas State 66
Robin’s overall season record: 8-3
Robin’s record vs. the spread: 6-5
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