3 keys and a prediction for Nebraska basketball against Indiana

After getting embarrassed by Michigan State last Saturday, Nebraska basketball returns home for an important Big Ten matchup against Indiana.

It’s too early to call it a must-win game for the Huskers. But you don’t want to start 0-2 in conference play, especially when Nebraska’s early-season resume left a lot to be desired. The win over Creighton was solid, but the loss to St. Mary’s was a missed opportunity.

Every other team on the non-conference schedule is a cupcake. Indiana isn’t. The Hoosiers are ranked 40th in the Kenpom rankings, while Nebraska basketball is at 62. The Huskers are a slight favorite (four points) and here are three keys and a prediction (7 PM CST on Fox).

Compete on the boards

Offensive rebounds have been an issue for Nebraska on the defensive end all season. MSU took it to another level and outrebounded the Huskers by 17. Indiana outrebounds its opponents by six per game. Nebraska is close to even (+1.6).

After allowing 17 second-chance points to the Spartans, the Huskers have to be better at rebounding the basketball, and if not, 0-2 in Big Ten play will be hard to avoid.

Knock down some triples

Nebraska ranks 215th or lower nationally in 3-point makes, 3-point attempts, and 3-point percentage. The Huskers are shooting 29.8 percent from deep (321st). The Hoosiers rank outside the top 300 in 3-point field goals and attempts. They don’t shoot many but make 35 percent.

On paper, Indiana should have an advantage at the 3-point line, but Connor Essegian had one point in the last game. I don’t see that happening again and this is an area of the game the Huskers need to win.

Defending the rim

Indiana has 7-footer Oumar Ballo, 6-foot-9 Malik Reneau, and 6-foot-8 sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako. All three of those guys average at least 13 points per game. Indiana is 10th overall in field-goal percentage (50.9) and ranks 59th in 2-point field-goal percentage (57.2).

Nebraska basketball allows opponents to show 48.2 percent on 2-point attempts (135th) in college basketball. That’s where Indiana is going to try and take advantage. The Huskers have to do a solid job on dunks/layups, as well as other 2-point field goals.

Indiana only takes 29 percent of its shots from deep. Nebraska basketball is around 38 percent. So the Huskers need to hit more 3s and they need to defend the rim if they want a bounce-back win.

Prediction

Nebraska basketball is a different team in the Vault. They’ll shoot better, have a lot of intensity on the defensive end, and find a way to pull away late.

Prediction: Nebraska 74, Indiana 67 

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