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Nebraska Hoops Game Day: Arizona State

Robin Washut profile picby:Robin Washut•03/31/25•

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Berke Buyuktuncel Nebraska basketball 2024-25
Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Berke Buyuktuncel (9) dribbles against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska missed out on the NCAA Tournament, but its season continues at the inaugural College Basketball Crown event in Las Vegas.

Here is what you need to know going into the Huskers’ first-round matchup against Arizona State tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena…

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Who, What, Where, When

Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-14, 7-13 Big Ten) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (13-19, 4-16 Big 12)

Monday, March 31, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. CT

MGM Grand Garden Arena (17,000)

TV: FS1

Radio: Huskers Radio Network

Internet/Streaming: FOX Sports App

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Nebraska projected starters

Brice WilliamsGSr.6-7/214Named a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection after ranking second in the conference in scoring at 20.0 ppg. He scored a season-low seven points last time out vs. Iowa.
Sam HoibergGJr.6-0/185He’s started 11 of Nebraska’s past 12 games, including setting season highs with 12 points on nine shot attempts in the Senior Day loss to Iowa.
Ahron UlisGSr.6-3/190He’s expected to make just his second start of the season with Rollie Worster out with a foot injury. He averaged 2.2 points and 1.1 assists over 27 appearances this year.
Juwan Gary G/FSr.6-6/226The senior had the best campaign of his college career,
averaging a career-best 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game.
Berke BuyuktuncelFSo.6-10/240He missed 17 of his first 18 shots after returning from an ankle injury. He bounced back with 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting and eight rebounds in the loss to Iowa.

Arizona State projected starters

Alston MasonGSr.6-2/175He’s ASU’s leading active scorer at 13.5 ppg this season. The son of former Lincoln Northeast star Alton Mason also averages a team-high 4.0 assists per game.
Adam MillerGSr.6-3/190He averages 9.6 points and 1.2 assists per game while hitting a team-high 56 3-pointers at a 44.4 percent clip on the year.
Amier AliFFr.6-8/195A true freshman who could move into the starting lineup for The Crown. He scored 5.5 ppg and shot just 36.7 percent from the field.
Basheer JihadFSr.6-9/239He averages 12.5 points and is Arizona State’s top active rebounder at 5.4 rpg. He also becomes ASU’s second-leading active scorer on the year.
Shawn Phillips Jr.FJr.7-0/245He comes in averaging 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and a team-high 1.1 blocks per game. He’s shooting 57.5% and hasn’t attempted a 3-pointer all season.

RELATED: Despite potential portal drawbacks, Nebraska never waivered on postseason opportunity

3 keys to victory

Turn up the heat

In such a unique postseason format, the first round of the College Basketball Crown could come down to which teams come in ready to play. Arizona State has struggled mightily with turnovers all season, ranking 207th nationally in turnover percentage and 283rd in offensive steal percentage. With a backcourt decimated by injury and portal departures, it would serve Nebraska well to pressure ASU early and often tonight. The Huskers must also be the aggressors on the boards, especially against a Sun Devil squad that ranks among the nation’s worst in offensive rebounding percentage (25.2, 316th). Turnovers and empty one-shot possessions could quickly discourage an Arizona State team that lost 11 of its last 12 games.

Contain the 3

Another Nebraska game, another night where the 3-point line will be critical. Arizona State ranks third in the Big 12 with 8.8 made 3-pointers per game. The Sun Devils have scored 35.6 percent of their points this year from behind the arc (72nd nationally) and have hit 35.6 percent of their threes (70th). Only seven other D1 teams have allowed a greater point percentage of 3-pointers than the Huskers (39.2). That includes giving up an average of 11.0 threes at a 40.7% clip over their last three outings. Guard Adam Miller should be at the top of Nebraska’s defensive scouting report. He leads ASU with 56 made 3-pointers at a team-best 44.4 percent clip.

Make this worth it

There are plenty of reasons why Nebraska chose to continue its season in the College Basketball Crown. National television exposure, NIL incentives, and the opportunity to end a disappointing year on a high note rank near the top of that list. However, this postseason run also comes with just as many logistical headaches. NU’s staff left campus in the heat of the transfer portal recruiting cycle. Its current players have been off for three weeks while waiting for the Crown’s prime TV window leading up to the Final Four. In other words, the Huskers need to make the most of this opportunity. Senior leaders Brice Williams and Juwan Gary have said all the right things, signaling the team is locked in for the task. However, a one-and-done showing in Vegas would be a final black eye on a once-promising season.

RELATED: In an evolving NIL, rev-share landscape, Nebraska basketball is exploring all options to keep pace

Quotable

“It really was the players. We have a leadership group, and I brought them up to the office, and we sat in there and talked, and it was unanimous that they wanted to play. There wasn’t one guy that wavered at all, and that included Brice and Juwan. Brice was very vocal. We had a team meeting that afternoon, and he said, ‘Guys, we’re playing in this. This isn’t one foot in. We’re going to have to go out there and do everything we can to compete for a championship.’”

-Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg on why his team wanted to participate in the College Basketball Crown.

Prediction

Nebraska (-5.5) 75, Arizona State 69

Robin’s season record: 22-9

Vs. the spread: 14-17

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