Nebraska Hoops Game Day: at Oregon
After finally snapping its six-game losing streak, Nebraska will look to earn its first Big Ten road victory of the season tonight at No. 16 Oregon.
Here is what you need to know going into the Huskers’ first meeting with the Ducks as conference foes…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-8, 3-7 Big Ten) at Oregon Ducks (16-5, 5-5 Big Ten)
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 – 6:30 p.m. CT
Matthew Knight Arena (12,364)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet/Streaming: Fox Sports App
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Nebraska projected starters
| Brice Williams | G | Sr. | 6-7/214 | He finished with a game-high 27 points in Nebraska’s upset over No. 18 Illinois, including scoring eight of NU’s 10 points in overtime. He also hauled in a career-high eight rebounds with four assists. |
| Sam Hoiberg | G | Jr. | 6-0/185 | He scored three points with three rebounds vs. Illinois and didn’t commit a turnover in his season-high 35 minutes. He also posted NU’s second-best +/- at 11. |
| Rollie Worster | G | Sr. | 6-5/210 | Returned to the starting lineup vs. Illinois and posted seven points, four rebounds, and two assists over 18 minutes. He also was just 1-of-7 from 3-point range. |
| Juwan Gary | F | Sr. | 6-6/226 | He racked up 13 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks over 41 minutes in the win over Illinois. He also did not attempt a 3-pointer (on 10 shots) for just the second time this season. |
| Andrew Morgan | F | Sr. | 6-10/242 | Made his second straight start vs. Illinois and finished with nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three turnovers over 30 minutes of work. He also drew five fouls. |
Oregon projected starters
| Jackson Shelstad | G | So. | 6-0/170 | A Preseason All-Big Ten selection, he averages 12.1 points and a team-high 2.7 assists per game while shooting 37.4 percent from 3-point range. |
| TJ Bamba | G | Sr. | 6-5/210 | A transfer from Villanova, he’s averaging 10.4 ppg, 2.6 assists, and a team-high 1.7 steals per game this season. |
| Jadrian Tracey | G | Sr. | 6-5/210 | He averages 7.9, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He shoots 50.4 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from 3-point range. |
| Brandon Angel | F | Sr. | 6-9/205 | He’s scoring 9.6 points per game on 57.4 percent shooting from the field. He’s also tied for second on the team with 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. |
| Nate Bittle | C | Sr. | 7-0/220 | He leads Oregon in scoring (12.9 ppg) and ranks in the Big Ten’s top 11 in rebounding (7.4 rpg) and blocks (2.0 bpg) this season. |
3 keys to victory
Stay gritty
How did Nebraska finally end its six-game skid in Thursday night’s overtime upset over Illinois? By returning to the “gritty” identity that propelled its 12-2 start to the season. The Huskers controlled the game throughout with relentless defense. The Fighting Illini finished with only seven assists (zero in the first half) and turned it over 17 times, directly leading to 19 NU points. They also took 42 of their 73 shots from behind the arc, making 10. Nebraska also converted 13 of 18 free throws and had 15 assists to six turnovers. The Huskers know there is a particular recipe for their success this season. They nearly followed it to a T last time out, and that must be the case again tonight.
Stay on the attack
Nebraska’s offense was hardly a thing of beauty against Illinois. The Huskers shot just 39 percent from the field and 25% from three. However, NU made up for that by valuing possessions and getting to the free-throw line 18 times. Nebraska clearly had a game plan to get to the rim and not settle for contested perimeter shots. Sure, they were a dismal 12-of-25 on layups in the win, but the Huskers didn’t let that deter them from going right at Illinois from the jump. NU got the Illini’s big in early foul trouble and manufactured points at the charity stripe. Oregon doesn’t foul much, ranking 447th nationally in defensive free-throw rate (27.1). Still, Nebraska must be the aggressor on offense and force the officials to call fouls.
Get Williams going early
One of the keys to Nebraska’s success this season was for Brice Williams to play at an All-Big Ten level. Thursday night’s win over Illinois showed exactly why. While Williams had put up adequate numbers over NU’s six straight losses, he wasn’t the alpha who had helped guide the way to its 12-2 start. The senior guard looked like his old self again against the Fighting Illini, especially when it mattered most. Williams wasn’t thrilled with his game-high 27 points on 10-of-26 shooting, but he scored the final eight of NU’s 10 points in overtime to help seal the victory. He personally out-scored Illinois 8-4 in the extra period. Williams also added a season-high eight rebounds and had four assists to one turnover through his 41 minutes of work. He is Nebraska’s greatest X-factor, especially on the road against a ranked opponent.
Quotable
“I wouldn’t really say a weight came off our shoulders because we’re not comfortable and we still haven’t done anything. But it was very encouraging to kind of get up and dust ourselves off. Now we’re coming back strong. We saw what works. So if we go away from what works we’re crazy.”
-Senior guard Brice Williams on Nebraska ending its six-game losing streak with its home win over No. 18 Illinois.
Prediction
Oregon (-6.5) 76, Nebraska 70
Robin’s season record: 17-4
Vs. the spread: 10-11
