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Nebraska Hoops Game Day: UCLA

Robin Washut profile picby:Robin Washut•01/04/25•

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Brice Williams Nebraska basketball
Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Brice Williams (3) shoots a three-point basket against Southern University Jaguars guard Michael Jacobs (2) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

After a successful run through non-conference play, Nebraska will host No. 15 UCLA today, beginning its annual grind of 18 straight Big Ten games.

Here is what you need to know going into the Bruins’ first visit to Lincoln since 1955…

Who, What, Where, When

Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) vs. UCLA Bruins (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten)

Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 – 1:00 p.m. CT

Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,500)

TV: FOX

Radio: Huskers Radio Network

Internet/Streaming: Fox Sports App

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Nebraska projected starters

Rollie WorsterGSr.6-5/210Finished with eight points, six assists, and four rebounds in the win over Southern. He’s now just six points away from reaching 1,000 for his career.
Brice WilliamsGSr.6-7/214Averaging 19.0 ppg on 52 percent shooting to rank fifth in the Big Ten in scoring. He earned his second USBWA Player-of-the-Week honor.
Juwan GaryFSr.6-6/226Posted nine points and three assists vs. Southern. He’s averaging 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game this season.
Berke BuyuktuncelFSo.6-10/224Former UCLA transfer who played in 26 games for the Bruins last season, including eight starts. He tied his career high with nine rebounds vs. Southern.
Braxton MeahFSr.7-1/264 Finished with three points, five rebounds, and two blocked shots against Southern. He had 19 points, eight boards, and five blocks in Washington’s win over UCLA last season.

UCLA projected starters

Dylan AndrewsGJr.6-2/180He averages 8.1 points and ranks second on the team with 2.8 assists per game this season.
Skyy ClarkGJr.6-3/210He comes in scoring 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and leads the Bruins with 1.7 steals per game on the year.
Kobe JohnsonGSr.6-6/200Averaging 7.5 points and leads UCLA with 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Eric Dailey Jr.G/FSo.6-8/230Oklahoma State transfer averaging 11.4 ppg on 55 percent shooting, including hitting a team-best 48 percent from 3-point range on the season.
Tyler BilodeauFJr.6-9/230Oregon State transfer who leads UCLA at 14.5 ppg and is second with 5.2 rpg. He had 15 points and went 7-7 on FTs in OSU’s loss to Nebraska last season.

3 keys to victory

Value every possession

Nebraska has struggled with its ball security all season, including committing 10 turnovers in the second half alone last time out vs. Southern. Fred Hoiberg has continuously preached the importance of taking better care of the basketball, and that area will be more critical than ever today. UCLA will be as daunting of a defensive challenge as the Huskers have seen this year. The Bruins are especially apt at creating turnovers with heavy full and half-court pressure. They come in ranked second nationally with 18.2 turnovers forced per game and are seventh with a +6.7 turnover margin. Nebraska must be dialed in on offense from start to finish, as any sloppy mistakes with the ball will almost certainly turn into UCLA points. 

Match UCLA’s defense

A unique aspect of this season has been how much Nebraska’s identity has shifted to becoming an elite defensive team. The Huskers currently rank inside the Big Ten’s top five in scoring defense (65.1 points per game) and opponent field goal percentage (38.1%). That includes holding their past five foes to an average of 56.2 ppg on just 34% shooting while owning a +6.2 rebounding advantage. As good as NU has been on that end of the floor, UCLA has been even better. The Bruins rank eighth nationally in scoring defense (58.7 ppg), fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency (89.9), and first in defensive turnover percentage (26.6). For Nebraska to have a chance at an upset today, it must match UCLA’s defensive effort for a full 40 minutes.

Feed off of PBA

UCLA currently stands as one of the Big Ten’s best teams on paper, especially with its play on defense. However, Nebraska owns one of the greatest equalizers in the conference – its homecourt advantage at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Today sets up to be a perfect storm for PBA to be at its best. The Bruins, a top-15 blue-blood opponent, come to Lincoln for the first time in 70 years for a Saturday afternoon televised nationally on FOX. The Huskers are off to an 11-2 start and have won their last five. More importantly, they’ve won 19 straight home games since December 2023, which is one shy of matching the program record. That includes 11 straight Big Ten home wins, capped by a 17-point route of Indiana on Dec. 13. When PBA is rolling, Nebraska can compete with and beat any team in the conference. That could be the biggest X-factor of all in this one.

Quotable

“We’re focused; we’re ready. We’re going to bring our A game. Everybody’s ready, and we’re just ready to put the world on notice, put the Big Ten on notice.”

Senior guard Brice Williams on the importance today’s game vs. UCLA has for Nebraska’s season.

Prediction

Nebraska (-2.5) 66, UCLA 65

Robin’s season record: 12-1

Vs. the spread: 7-6

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