Nebraska Basketball Game Day: Queens
Here is what you need to know going into Nebraska’s final non-conference matchup tonight against Queens University in the Battle in the Vault event at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
NOTE: This game is not part of the Huskers’ 2022-23 season-ticket package. Fans can purchase tickets here.
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-6, 0-2) vs. Queens Royals (9-2, 0-0)
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 – 6:30 p.m. CT
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,500)
TV: None
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet: BTN Plus (subscription required)
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Nebraska projected starters
| Sam Griesel | G | Sr. | 6-7/216 | Had 4 points in a season-low 24 min. vs. KSU. Sat for final 7:30. |
| Emmanuel Bandoumel | G | Sr. | 6-4/187 | Had 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the loss to Kansas St. |
| C.J. Wilcher | G | So. | 6-5/208 | Has shot just 1-for-13 from the field over the last two games. |
| Juwan Gary | F | Jr. | 6-6/215 | Set career highs in rebounds (11) and steals (4) against K-State. |
| Derrick Walker | F | Sr. | 6-9/245 | Held to a season-low 7 points and 6 boards vs. Kansas State. |
Queens projected starters
| Kenny Dye | G | Sr. | 6-0/190 | Leads team with 17.6 ppg and 4.2 apg. Shooting over 50% FGs, 60% 3s |
| AJ McKee | G | So. | 6-2/205 | Second-leading scorer at 12.7 ppg. Also averages 4.9 rpg and 2.0 apg. |
| Kalib Mathews | G | So. | 6-4/185 | Averaging 9.5 points and a team-high 1.4 steals per game. |
| Jay’Den Turner | F | Jr. | 6-5/205 | Averages 9.9 ppg, a team-high 7.7 rpg, and 1.6 apg. |
| BJ McLaurin | F | Jr. | 6-8/230 | Scoring 8.8 ppg while shooting 46.2% from 3-point range. |
Bring back the fight on defense
The most disappointing aspect of Nebraska’s loss to Kansas State on Saturday was that it didn’t come ready to play on defense for the first time all season. Derrick Walker said the Huskers “got punked.” Fred Hoiberg said NU got “out-toughed.” A team with as many offensive limitations as NU cannot afford to take a night off on defense. That is true whether it’s against Purdue, Kansas State, or even Queens. The Royals are a gritty team that won’t be intimidated in the least tonight. The Huskers better get their toughness and defensive intensity back to avoid a costly pre-Christmas upset.
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Control the boards
What Queens does, as well as anything, is rebound, especially on the offensive glass. The Royals come into tonight’s game rated 16th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (37.0%). That ranks just behind Purdue, which is fourth at 38.3%. The Huskers just gave up 12 offensive boards for 13 second-chance points against Kansas State. The Boilermakers had 13 for 12. Queens obviously doesn’t have the same size and athleticism as those teams, but its commitment to crashing the glass is something NU must be ready to handle.
Defend without fouling
Another area that Queens thrives in is getting to the free-throw line. The Royals are shooting a modest 70% from the stripe as a team. But their free throw rate of 38.0% ranks 45th nationally, and 20.7% of their points have come at the line. The good news is that one of Nebraska’s strengths has been defending without fouling, where it’s been as effective as anyone in the country. The Huskers rank sixth nationally in defensive free-throw rate at just 18.7%. They’re also in the top 100 in defensive turnover percentage (83rd, 20.6). Conversely, Queens has struggled mightily in taking care of the basketball, with a turnover rate of 21.9, ranking 318th. If Nebraska can walk that fine line between aggressive defense and staying out of foul trouble, it should be a good night.
Quotable
“If we play with physicality; if we play with toughness, then we’ll have a chance to win every time we step on the floor. If not, we will have more situations like what happened against Kansas State. Again, for our group, it’s all about the little things.”
Head coach Fred Hoiberg on Nebraska needing to improve its toughness and defensive effort.
Prediction
Nebraska (-11) 78, Queens 65
Robin’s overall season record: 8-4
Robin’s record vs. the spread: 6-6
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