Nebraska Basketball Game Day: Omaha
Here is what you need to know going into Nebraska’s home game against in-state foe Omaha tonight at Pinnacle Bank Arena…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0) vs. Omaha Mavericks (0-1)
Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 – 7:00 p.m. CT
Pinnacle Bank Arena
TV: None
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet: BTN+ (subscription)
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Nebraska projected starters
| Sam Griesel | G | Sr. | 6-7/216 | Scored 18 of his team-high 22 points in the second half vs. Maine. |
| Emmanuel Bandoumel | G | Sr. | 6-4/187 | Had 6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block against Maine. |
| C.J. Wilcher | G | So. | 6-5/208 | Scored 7 points vs. Maine but was 2-8 shooting, 1-5 on 3-pointers. |
| Juwan Gary | F | Jr. | 6-6/215 | Posted a double-double vs. Maine with 14 points and 11 rebounds. |
| Blaise Keita | C | So. | 6-11/241 | Started vs. Maine in place of Derrick Walker (healthcare reasons) |
Omaha projected starters
| JJ White | G | So. | 6-2/185 | JUCO transfer who had 6 points, 6 assists, and 4 TOs at Kansas |
| Jaeden Marshall | G | So. | 6-4/210 | JUCO transfer who led team with 13 points against Kansas. |
| Frankie Fidler | F | So. | 6-7/200 | Led team with 12.9 ppg last year on 48.6% FG and 42.9% 3PT. |
| Marquel Sutton | F | So. | 6-7/205 | JUCO transfer who had 11 points and 5 boards in 38 minutes at KU. |
| Dylan Brougham | C | Jr. | 6-9/195 | Averaged 4.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg with a team-high 20 blocks last season. |
2023 Nebraska signee Eli Rice just getting started in basketball journey
3 keys to victory
Attack the rim
After struggling through exhibition play, Nebraska’s perimeter shooting didn’t get much better in Monday’s opener vs. Maine. The Huskers went 7-of-22 (31%) from behind the arc in the win, slightly improving from the 25% they shot against Chadron State and Colorado. But five of those makes came in the first half. On the other end, Maine hit five of its first seven 3-pointers to start the second half and trimmed a 15-point lead down to one. How was Nebraska able to regain control? By getting the ball to the basket and finishing at the rim. The Huskers out-scored Maine 22-10 in the paint after halftime and 42-16 for the game. That will again be NU’s recipe for success tonight.
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Bring the pressure
Nebraska is a team that needs its defense to produce transition scoring opportunities, and those will be the for the taking tonight vs. Omaha. The Mavericks committed 13 turnovers in their loss at Kansas on Monday, leading to 18 KU points. Down by seven with 15 minutes to play, Omaha had a breakaway but lost the ball in transition. That sparked a hallmark KU run that broke the game open. Point guard JJ White had six assists but also four turnovers, as Omaha’s starters combined for 10 of the 13 giveaways. The Huskers forced 15 turnovers against Maine, and replicating that effort would go a long way in controlling this one.
Match the energy
Omaha might not be considered an in-state rival for Nebraska like Creighton is, but don’t think tonight isn’t a big deal for the Mavericks. Omaha has plenty of motivation with a roster featuring seven Nebraska natives, including former Husker Akol Arop. Beyond the local connections, though, the Mavs are also coming off an impressive effort at Allen Fieldhouse against the defending national champs. Even in a loss, that game should have first-year coach Chris Crutchfield’s squad feeling plenty confident. Omaha is a quick, athletic, and aggressive team that won’t be intimidated. The Huskers have to be every bit as dialed in from start to finish.
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Quotable
“I know that group is going to be charged up. We have to match that. We have to go out there and be the harder-playing, more physical team. That’s the bottom line. That’s what you have to do every time you step on your home floor. It’s not just this game, it’s every time we step on the floor. But, listen, it’s a talented, competitive, athletic group, and we have to be ready to play from the jump, because I know they’re going to come in here and play extremely hard.”
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg on the importance of matching Omaha’s intensity.
Nebraska vs. Omaha prediction
Nebraska (-17.5) 75, Omaha 67
Robin’s overall season record: 1-0
Robin’s record vs. the spread: 1-0
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