Nebraska Hoops Game Day: Maryland
Nebraska continues its push to the NCAA Tournament tonight when it hosts No. 25 Maryland at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Here is what you know going into the Huskers’ regular-season rematch with the Terrapins…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-8, 6-7 Big Ten) vs. Maryland Terrapins (18-6, 8-5 Big Ten)
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. CT
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,500)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet/Streaming: Fox Sports App
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Nebraska projected starters
Maryland projected starters
| Ja’Kobi Gillespie | G | Jr. | 6-1/186 | A transfer from Belmont who averages 14.3 ppg and shoots 40 percent on 3-pointers and leads Maryland with 4.6 apg and 1.8 spg. |
| Rodney Rice | G | So. | 6-4/198 | He averages 13.2 points and 1.9 assists per game. He had 15 points on 5-10 shooting in Maryland’s win over Nebraska on Jan. 19. |
| Selton Miguel | G | Sr. | 6-4/217 | He’s scoring 11.5 ppg with 1.8 apg. He scored 13 points and hit three 3-pointers in Maryland’s first meeting with NU. |
| Julian Reese | F | Sr. | 6-9/252 | An All-Big Ten performer who averages 13.7 ppg on 58 percent shooting and leads Maryland with 9.0 rpg and 1.5 bpg. |
| Derik Queen | C | Fr. | 6-10/246 | A true freshman who leads the team with 15.5 points per game on 53 percent shooting and hauls in 8.5 rebounds per contest. |
3 keys to victory
Fill Berke’s shoes
As expected, Nebraska will be without forward Berke Buyuktuncel for tonight’s game vs. Maryland. The 6-foot-10 sophomore sprained his ankle in the final minute of NU’s win over Ohio State. While head coach Fred Hoiberg was optimistic about Buyuktuncel’s recovery, the Huskers must fill a significant void in their frontcourt vs. the Terrapins. The UCLA transfer had emerged as Nebraska’s top rebounder (5.9 rpg) and arguably its best low-post defender. He also had his best offensive performance of the season with 15 points and three made 3-pointers vs. OSU. The Huskers will likely start with a smaller lineup tonight, moving Juwan Gary (6-6) to the four. However, look for NU to use Andrew Morgan (6-10) and Braxton Meah (7-1) together to match Maryland’s size.
Keep attacking, but be smart
Nebraska has gotten back to its roots offensively during its four-game winning streak. The Huskers have consistently attacked the basket rather than settling for contested perimeter shots. That’s resulted in high-percentage layups and/or drawing fouls for points at the free-throw line. That recipe must continue again tonight, especially with the hope of getting Maryland’s talented bigs – Julian Reese and Derik Queen – into foul trouble. However, the Huskers must also be smart in how they do it. In their first meeting in College Park, the Terps blocked eight NU shots, including four by Reese. Nebraska also only converted six points at the charity stripe in a three-point defeat. The Huskers must stay on the attack with the ball but do so under control.
Defend with intent
With Buyuktuncel out of the lineup, Nebraska faces an even more daunting challenge of matching Maryland’s size, skill, and physicality in the paint. Reese has been a headache for NU for years, including his eight points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks in the last meeting. The Huskers kept Queen in check, holding him to 0-of-4 shooting over 27 minutes. There’s no question that the Terrapins will try to go right at Nebraska with those two from the jump. However, NU can’t afford to overcommit to the post and let Maryland counter with a flurry of threes again. The Terps hit 10-of-25 threes vs. the Huskers in January, with five coming from Ja’Kobi Gillespie. Nebraska must prioritize defending the post, but the critical key will be following with aggressive closeouts and quick defensive rotations.
Quotable
“If you take your foot off the gas, if you relax, if you put your head down, they’re going to pounce on you.”
-Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg on the Huskers needing to lock in for a full 40 minutes against No. 25 Maryland.
Prediction
Nebraska (-1.5) 71, Maryland 68
Robin’s season record: 19-5
Vs. the spread: 12-12
