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Nebraska Hoops Game Day: at Northwestern

Robin Washut profile picby:Robin Washut•02/16/25•

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Andrew Morgan Nebraska basketball Creighton 2024-25
Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Andrew Morgan (23) celebrates after a three point basket against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Injury and illness led to a missed opportunity against Maryland, but Nebraska gets another chance at another Quad 1 victory today at Northwestern.

Here is what you need to know going into the Huskers’ clash with the Wildcats in Evanston…

Who, What, Where, When

Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-9, 6-8 Big Ten) at Northwestern Wildcats (13-12, 4-10 Big Ten)

Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 – 2 p.m. CT

Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,039)

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: Huskers Radio Network

Internet/Streaming: Fox Sports App

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Nebraska projected starters

Brice WilliamsGSr.6-7/214He played 39 minutes through flu-like symptoms and posted his fifth-straight 20-point effort with 20 points and three assists in Nebraska’s loss to Maryland.
Sam HoibergGJr.6-0/185He started his sixth straight game and played over 30 minutes (31) for the fourth contest in a row. He posted five points and four rebounds against Maryland.
Rollie WorsterGSr.6-5/210He returned to the starting lineup for the second straight game vs. Maryland. He scored nine points while going 4-of-7 from the field with four rebounds over 31 minutes in the loss to Maryland.
Juwan GaryFSr.6-6/226Scored a team-high 22 points on 8-of-19 shooting vs. Maryland, including hitting 3-of-6 from 3-point range.
Andrew MorganFSr.6-10/242He finished with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting with three assists and three rebounds against Maryland despite only playing 22 minutes due to foul trouble.

Northwestern projected starters

Ty BerryGSr.6-3/190He averages 9.6 ppg and scored a team-high 23 points in a loss at Oregon. He scored 6.0 points on 25% shooting in two meetings vs. Nebraska last season.
Jordan ClaytonGSo.6-2/190He’ll be making his third start and appearance this season after joining Northwestern’s lineup due to injury. He averaged 6.5 points and 2.5 assists vs. Washington and Oregon.
Justin MullinsGJr.6-6/200He’s played in 24 games with two starts this season, averaging 4.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game.
Nick MartinelliFJr.6-7/220He ranks second in the Big Ten at 19.7 points per game, including two 20-point efforts over Northwestern’s last three games. He’s scored in double figures in 24 of 25 contests this season.
Matthew NicholsonCSr.7-0/280A returning starter who averages 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds and leads Northwestern with 1.2 blocks per game this season.

3 keys to victory

Get healthy

As if knocking off a red-hot Maryland team wasn’t already hard enough, Nebraska had to try and do so with a notably short-handed lineup. Berke Buyuktuncel missed the game with a sprained ankle, while Brice Williams and Connor Essegian played through flu-like symptoms as game-time decisions. Williams gutted it out for 20 points over 39 minutes, but Essegian was a non-factor (0-6 shooting in just nine minutes). Playing without their best rebounder/post defender and 3-point shooter proved too much for the Huskers to overcome. Northwestern won’t sympathize with NU’s situation, as it’s lost two of its three best players – Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach – to season-ending injuries. But Nebraska needs all hands on deck in a critical road contest.

Cash in at the FT line

Nebraska is at its best when it attacks the basket, draws fouls, and racks up points at the free-throw line. The latest example came last time out in the loss to Maryland. The Huskers made 16-of-17 FTs to finish at a season-high 94% from the stripe, with Williams going a perfect 7-for-7. That included hitting 9-of-10 in the second half to stay in the game until the final minutes. There might not be a greater advantage for NU on paper than free-throw production. Nebraska ranks in the top 80 nationally in free-throw rate (77th, 36.5) and FT% (60th, 75.4). Meanwhile, the Wildcats rank 273rd (36.8) and 283rd (74.0) defensively in those categories. NW’s depth is already limited without Barnhizer and Leach. Nebraska could change the game’s complexion by getting the ‘Cats in early foul trouble.

Find a way in Evanston

As strange as it might sound, Welsh-Ryan Arena has been a house of horrors for Nebraska over the past decade. Not only have the Huskers dropped eight of their past nine meetings with the Wildcats, but they also haven’t won in Evanston since 2014. They did beat NW in Rosemont, Ill., during the 2018-19 season, but the ‘Cats have dominated the series in true home games. Sitting at 13-12 overall and 4-10 in conference play, Northwestern is currently on the wrong side of the Big Ten Tournament bubble at 16th place. Nebraska is looking to get back ahead of the curve to clinch a second-straight NCAA Tournament berth, but the Wildcats are playing to keep their season alive for at least one more game. Which team will be more desperate today?

Quotable

“We haven’t lost in a while, and we’ve got to respond. What happened last time when we lost can’t happen again. We can’t afford to go on a streak right now.”

-Head coach Fred Hoiberg on Nebraska not allowing a loss to Maryland turn into another critical losing streak.

Prediction

Nebraska (-3) 70, Northwestern 69

Robin’s season record: 19-6

Vs. the spread: 12-13

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