Nebraska Hoops Game Day: North Florida
After putting together its best offensive performance of the season against South Dakota, Nebraska returns to action today for another non-conference showdown vs. North Florida.
Here is what you need to know going into the Huskers’ home matchup with the Ospreys…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, 0-0) vs. North Florida Ospreys (5-2, 0-0)
Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. CT
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,500)
TV: BTN
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet/Streaming: BTN+
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Nebraska projected starters
| Rollie Worster | G | Sr. | 6-5/210 | Only had 6 points on 1-of-4 shooting vs. South Dakota but led the Huskers in assists (6) and rebounds (8) while only committing 1 turnover over his 20 minutes of work. |
| Brice Williams | G | Sr. | 6-7/214 | Scored 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting with 4 assists and 3 steals against South Dakota. That marked his sixth 20-point effort over his last nine games dating back to last season. |
| Juwan Gary | F | Sr. | 6-6/226 | Will be a game-time decision today due to an eye injury he suffered vs. South Dakota. Ranks first on the team in steals (2.0), third in rebounds (4.5) and third in blocks (1.0). |
| Berke Buyuktuncel | F | So. | 6-10/240 | Will be a game-time decision today due to a hip injury he suffered vs. South Dakota. Had 6 points, 6 boards, and 3 assists in 12 minutes before his injury vs. USD. |
| Braxton Meah | F | Sr. | 7-1/264 | Finished with a season-high 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting – all dunks – and 5 boards in the win over South Dakota. His 21 minutes vs. USD were also his season high. |
North Florida projected starters
| Jaylen Smith | G | So. | 5-11/175 | Averages 10.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. He also leads the team with 5.6 assists per game. |
| Oscar Berry | G | Sr. | 6-5/200 | Only starter who is not a double-figure scorer on the season. He averages 1.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, and 0.9 apg. |
| Nate Lliteras | G | Sr. | 6-6/215 | A native of Seward, Neb., who is second on the team in scoring at 14.3 ppg. Averages 4.9 rpg while shooting 44.1% on 3-point range. |
| Jasai Miles | G | So. | 6-6/205 | He’s scoring 11.7 points and leads the team with 7.7 rebounds per game. He also ranks second on the team with 2.3 apg. |
| Josh Harris | F | Jr. | 6-8/210 | Leads the team with 15.4 points per game on 61% shooting, along with 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. |
3 keys to victory
Stay hot
As mentioned, Nebraska finally took the lid off the baskets for one of its best offensive efforts of the Fred Hoiberg era last time out against South Dakota. The Huskers 96 points were their most in regulation under Hoiberg and their highest total overall since an overtime loss at North Carolina State in 2021. That included a season-high 13 made 3-pointers, a welcomed sight for a team that had struggled mightily from behind the arc this year. NU must maintain that hot shooting today against a North Florida team that can light it up. The Ospreys rank inside the top 100 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (86th) and effective field go percentage (74th). They’re also 17th in the country in 3-point rate (50.5), with 45.5% of their points coming from downtown.
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Dominate the FT line
Nebraska just missed extending an impressive streak vs. South Dakota. The Huskers shot 21 free throws in the win, ending a run of five straight games with at least 25 attempts from the charity stripe. That had marked NU’s longest such run since 1991. Even so, Nebraska has developed an offensive identity of manufacturing points through aggressive offense this season. The Huskers come in ranked 16th nationally in free-throw rate (48.1) and fourth with 27.7% of their points coming at the line. Racking up free throws will be a challenge today, as North Florida defends without fouling as well as any team in the country. The Ospreys rank 10th nationally in defensive FT rate (61.9).
All hands on deck
This year’s roster is arguably the deepest Hoiberg has had at Nebraska, and that depth was tested last time out vs. South Dakota. The Huskers lost two starters – Juwan Gary (eye) and Berke Buyuktuncel (hip) – to injury during the first half. The rest of NU’s rotation rose to the occasion in their absence, scoring a season-high 51 bench points in the victory. Sixth man Connor Essegian led the way with a career-best 29 points, the most by a Nebraska reserve since 2006. Five Huskers are now averaging at least 9.0 points per game, with seven posting double-figure efforts this season. Gary and Buyuktuncel will likely be game-time decisions today. If one or both are out, NU needs that depth to step up once again.
Quotable
“Just trusting each other. Having a trust that we build between each other in practice just playing together and going against the scout team, and just moving the ball and sharing the ball, and finding a love for each other in succeeding. That definitely helps when you’ve got a team that wants each other to succeed and assists just happen naturally, and playing together happens naturally.”
-Nebraska guard Connor Essgian on Nebraska dishing out a season-high 24 assists on 33 made baskets in its win over South Dakota.
Prediction
Nebraska (-16.5) 85, North Florida 70
Robin’s season record: 5-1
Vs. the spread: 3-3
