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Nebraska Basketball Game Day: Penn State

Robin Washut profile picby:Robin Washut•01/21/23•

RobinWashut

Derrick Walker Nebraska basketball 2022-23
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Here is what you need to know going into Nebraska’s road showdown at Penn State tonight in University Park, Pennsylvania…

Who, What, Where, When

Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-9, 3-5) at Penn State Nittany Lions (12-6, 3-4)

Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 – 1:15 p.m. CT

Bryce Jordan Center (15,261)

TV: BTN

Radio: Huskers Radio Network

Internet: FOX Sports App

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Nebraska projected starters

Sam GrieselGSr.6-7/216Scored 10 of his team-high 15 points in the second half vs. Ohio St.
Emmanuel BandoumelGSr.6-4/187Finished with 6 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals against Ohio State.
Keisei TominagaGJr.6-2/175Had 11 points while making his second start of the year vs. OSU.
Denim DawsonFRFr.6-6/193Set career highs in minutes (30) and rebounds (8) in win over OSU.
Derrick WalkerFSr.6-9/245Had 8 points, 10 boards, and 4 assists before fouling out vs. OSU.

Penn State projected starters

Camren WyneterGSr.6-2/200Scoring 9.1 points and is second on the team with 1.9 assists per game.
Jalen PickettGSr.6-4/209Ranks in the Big Ten’s top 10 at 17.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, and 7.7 apg. 
Andrew FunkGSr.6-5/200Averages 12.4 ppg and 1.3 apg while shooting 42% from behind the arc.
Seth LundyGSr.6-6/220Second-leading scorer at 13.7 ppg and shoots 42% from 3-point range.
Kebba NjieFFr.6-10/237Averages 3.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game.

Slow down Pickett

There aren’t many more complete players in the country, let alone the Big Ten, than Penn State guard Jalen Pickett. The fifth-year senior ranks among the conference’s top 10 in scoring (17.7 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg), and assists (7.7 apg). That includes posting a triple-double earlier this season against Butler with 15-10-11. He’s shooting 49.8% from the field (eighth in the Big Ten) while ranking second in the conference in minutes played (35.8). Pickett is the heartbeat of everything the Nittany Lions do offensively, and for Nebraska to win today, it has to keep him in check.

Defend the 3

As good as Pickett is, what makes him even more dangerous is that if defenses over-commit to stopping him, he’s surrounded by high-level 3-point shooters. Penn State comes into today’s game as the best 3-point shooting team in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions are hitting a conference-best 39.6% from behind the arc on the season and lead the league in 3-pointers made (196) and attempted (498). That’s 34 more makes and 11 more tries than any other Big Ten team. PSU will do what it can to get Pickett going, but the Huskers must be aware of the perimeter at all times.

Crash the glass

There is a direct correlation between Nebraska winning the rebounding margin and winning games this season. When the Huskers have led or tied on the boards, they are 10-2. When they’ve trailed, they’re 0-7. That stat will continue to be critical today against a Penn State team that has had its issues on the glass this year. The Nittany Lions rank 361st out of 363 Division I teams in offensive rebounding percentage (18.1) and 12th in the Big Ten in overall rebounding margin (-2.8). The loss of Juwan Gary was a significant blow for NU, especially when it comes to attacking the boards. The Huskers need everyone to step up in that area this afternoon.

Quotable

“It doesn’t matter where you play them – they’re a great team. It’s a long flight for us, it’s an early game, and we have to get ourselves going. It’s important to get off to good starts when you play those matinee games. I think you saw that in the Minnesota games. There’s a lot of runs and you’ve got to play through that, especially on the road.”

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg on the challenge of playing Penn State at Bryce Jordan Center, where the Nittany Lions are 9-1 this season.

Prediction

Penn State (-8.5) 71, Nebraska 66

Robin’s overall season record: 12-7

Robin’s record vs. the spread: 10-9

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