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3 keys and a prediction for Nebraska Basketball vs Michigan State

Published

9 months ago

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Three keys and a prediction for Nebraska basketball against Michigan State.

The Nebraska basketball team scored a huge win last week over Iowa. It was an important win, but not the kind of win that resets expectations for this season.

However, if the Huskers are able to go into the Breslin Center and beat Michigan State on Tuesday night, it will be a definite sign that Nebraska can do something this season, such as reach postseason play.

Nebraska basketball is 8-6 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten. The first road game against Indiana was a disaster, but the Huskers also didn’t have Sam Griesel. This time they will and here are three keys for Nebraska to beat Michigan State, as well as our prediciton.

Control the tempo

Michigan State is a physical team but they also rely on running and shooting 3-pointers. The Spartans rank 98th in college hoops in 3-point percentage but 300th in 2-point percentage so the transition game is huge.

In terms of talent, Michigan State has eight former top-100 players. It has size, and athleticism and shoots the ball really well from beyond the arc. However, the Spartans are one of the worst teams in the country at forcing turnovers with just over 10 per game. Nebraska forces 13 but also gives it up 13 times per game.

The Huskers can’t do that tonight. Fred Hoiberg talked about no pick-6s in his press conference. That means no breakaway buckets and the less Michigan State is able to get out in transition, the better.

Nebraska wants to keep this one low scoring, like in the 60s. Griesel has been great about controlling the tempo and it worked beautifully against Creighton and Iowa.

The Huskers need to use the same tactic tonight.

Win the rebounding battle

It’s not going to be easy against Michigan State, yet if the Huskers are going to leave the Breslin Center with a win, I feel like they have to win the rebounding battle or at least be even.

The Spartans ranked 43rd in defensive rebounds but are allowing over nine offensive rebounds per game. Both teams have a rebounding margin of plus four on the season. Nebraska though has been better on the offensive glass with 11.2 offensive rebounds per game. Michigan State averages 9.6.

Nebraska is 55th in total rebounding and if the Huskers can win that battle tonight, I like their chances of pulling off an upset.

Derrick Walker needs to dominate

One of the key matchups to me is going to be Derrick Walker and Mady Sissoko. Sissoko is a 6-foot-9, former top-100 recruit who averages 0.8 blocks per game. The Spartans don’t have anyone who averages a blocker per game and they are lacking in terms of rim protectors.

Still, I wouldn’t expect many double-teams on Derrick Walker. Izzo likes to play guys straight up and Walker is going to need to have a double-double in this one.

If Walker and Sam Griesel can score inside, that will open some things up on the perimeter. The Huskers have also done a good job of getting to the free-throw line and that needs to continue too. Michigan State is a top-100 defense when it comes to 2-point percentages but Walker is one of the best low-post scorers in the Big Ten.

Walker has proven he can score on just about anyone and if he has a big night, it could go a long way toward Nebraska pulling off the upset.

Nebraska basketball vs Michigan State prediction

The Huskers are a 7.5-point underdog, which honestly seems a little much to me. Michigan State is a solid team and they have guys like A.J. Hoggard, Joey Hauser, Tyson Walker, and Jaden Adkins. The Spartans don’t lack talent or depth, which is a weakness for Nebraska.

Nebraska is down to basically seven or eight rotation guys at this point. Their starting five has been really solid this season and I expect a really good effort from this team.

However, winning at Michigan State is really difficult to do. Eventually, I think the Spartans will wear down Nebraska and hit enough treys to win the game, 65-60. Nebraska will cover the spread but lose a close one.

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Nebraska Cornhuskers news: Jeff Sims still not 100 percent, a flip attempt, and more

Published

1 week ago

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September 20, 2023

By

Nebraska football
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska football QB Jeff Sims still isn’t 100 percent, plus more Nebraska Cornhuskers news.

One thing we know for sure about the Nebraska football quarterback situation is that we won’t know anything until kickoff on Saturday against Louisiana Tech.

Matt Rhule said that he won’t be making any announcements prior to the game, similar to last week, about the starting quarterback. Marcus Satterfield told reporters on Tuesday that Sims took “50-55 percent of the snaps” so he’s improving, but according to Rhule, he’s still not 100 percent.

Rhule indicated that Sims is throwing the ball well. The Nebraska Cornhuskers just want to see some more movement skills out of their starting quarterback. One of the starting quarterbacks I should say since Sims and Heinrich Haarberg were listed as co-starters this week on the depth chart.

We’ll see how it plays out. If Sims is healthy, I expect that he will get the start or at least play, but with how thin Nebraska football is at running back, both quarterbacks will probably be needed, especially with their prowess for pounding the rock.

Nebraska Cornhuskers aiming to flip Michigan State 4-star

Andrew Dennis is a 6-foot-5, 275-pound offensive lineman rated as a four-star prospect by the 247 Sports composite rankings. He’s out of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and has been committed to Michigan State since April but Nebraska football is one of many programs to throw out a recent offer.

We don’t know if Dennis has any plans to visit Nebraska football. He’s been offered by Auburn, Stanford, Penn State, and Purdue just since Monday. I wouldn’t get too serious worrying about Dennis until he takes a visit to Nebraska, but if that happens, watch out.

It’s at least a name to keep on the radar and a decommitment definitely seems possible with the situation going on at Michigan State with Mel Tucker getting fired.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Big Ten basketball schedule released

We knew which teams Nebraska basketball would play in the 2023-24 Big Ten season but got the official schedule on Tuesday. The Huskers released it on their official Twitter account.

Nebraska basketball will open Big Ten on December 6th against Minnesota on the road. Fred Hoiberg’s first conference home game will be against Michigan State on December 10th.

The schedule is fairly balanced in terms of the home and road games. The Huskers have consecutive home games twice on the conference schedule. Nebraska has also back-to-back road games twice.

My first impressions though, are that Nebraska basketball is capable of a winning season in Big Ten play, which would definitely keep Fred Hoiberg in place and likely, would give the Huskers a realistic shot at making their first NCAA tournament since the 2014 season.

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Nebraska Cornhuskers news: Matt Rhule runs a tight ship, momentum with Caleb Benning, and more

Published

2 months ago

on

August 1, 2023

By

Nebraska Cornhuskers
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

The Nebraska Cornhuskers opened fall camp on Monday and Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule runs a tight ship, plus a Caleb Benning update, and more.

You got the idea that Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule was going to take an old-school approach when he announced the Nebraska Cornhuskers would be spending the first two weeks of camp in the dorms.

But on Monday, the old-school approach continued.

Over the weekend, there were tons of rumors circulating among Nebraska football fans on Twitter about Myles Farmer and his status for the 2023 season. As it turns out, he was suspended by coach Rhule.

Rhule didn’t say why, just that Farmer didn’t live up to the standard. Rhule did say it was up to Farmer and his actions in regard to returning to the Nebraska Cornhuskers this season. Farmer started 11 games last season for Nebraska fotoball and was one of the team’s leading tacklers.

Another starting defensive back, Marques Buford is also missing the start of camp due to injury rehab.  Omar Brown and Corey Collier will have to step up, but the progress of Farmer will be something to watch.

Nebraska football making an impression on Caleb Benning

It’s clear that Nebraska football is trending up in the recruitment of in-state athlete Caleb Benning. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound defensive back/wide receiver, visited the Huskers again on Monday to take in practice.

All told it was the third unofficial visit of the past week for Benning. He visited early last week when the dead period ended and was also part of the “Cookout” on Sunday when more than 30 Nebraska football recruits were on campus.

In an interview with Steve Marik, Benning has even talked about a potential update to his timeline. He’s been saying that he will announce a commitment in December, but if he decides to commit sooner, I think that would be a great sign for Nebraska football.

I know the Huskers could land Amare Sanders and I hope they do. However, that shouldn’t impact Benning. Nebraska football is showing that he’s a priority and my prediction is that he’s N before it’s all said and done.

More Nebraska Cornhuskers news

  • The Nebraska basketball team made its debut on the trip to Spain and won its first game in overtime. Nebraska only had six scholarship players available, so you can only take away so much, but Brice Williams was spectacular with 28 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the 89-84 win over the Madrid All-Stars. CJ Wilcher had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jamarques Lawrence pitched in with 14. Rienk Mast was playing with the Netherlands in international play and also had a stellar showing, scoring 26 points and making 6-of-10 3-pointers. So far, so good for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in terms of the portal.
  • While plenty of highlights and photos surfaced from day one of Nebraska football camp, maybe the highlight that stood out the most was Tristan Alvano’s 50-yard field goal in practice. The freshman is battling for the starting kicking job and my money is on him to win it.

Final Nebraska Football 2023 game-by-game predictions

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3 thoughts on commitment of Matar Diop to Nebraska basketball

Published

2 months ago

on

July 23, 2023

By

Nebraska basketball
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Fred Hoiberg landed another player for the 2023 Nebraska basketball roster on Sunday with the commitment of Matar Diop and here are three thoughts for the Huskers.

It was fair to wonder if Nebraska basketball was going to add another scholarship player for the 2023-24 season, but we got the answer on Sunday with the commitment of Matar Diop.

Diop is a 6-foot-9 power forward. He’s not ranked according to the 247 Sports composite rankings and doesn’t even have a 247 Sports profile that I could find.

However, Diop is from Senegal and recently spent time with the NBA Africa Program. Here are some highlights from his time there.

Nebraska basketball needed a big man and has a lot to offer Diop, so this makes sense for both sides — here are three thoughts on his commitment.

An upside addition for the Huskers

Diop is eligible to play in 2023 for Nebraska baskeball which was the first question most Husker fans had. However, I wouldn’t expect to see Diop on the floor a ton this season if at all.

Blaise Keita is going to have a role off the bench as a 4/5 man. If he gets injured or if there is another injury in the frontcourt, Diop could see some minutes.

Yet, this feels a lot like the Eli Rice commitment except Diop will spend his extra year as a redshirt. Rice took an extra year and went to the IMG Academy.

Some recruiting sites had Diop listed as a 2024 recruit, so he could have had that plan too. But Seton Hall, Ole Miss, Arizona State, Saint Joseph’s, and Charlotte all offered. Those are some high-major offers and this is a really good get this late in the recruiting cycle.

You can see from Diop’s highlights that he’s an exceptional athlete. He also looks like a plus defender but he gets above the rim with ease and will be one of the most athletic players on the Nebraska basketball roster.

Diop is also really raw. I doubt he’s quite ready for Big Ten basketball. Yet, after a redshirt season, he could be ready to be a rotational piece in 2024-25.

Nebraska basketball is a great place for Diop to develop

Ernie Ziegler, a current Nebraska basketball assistant spent time as a coach with NBA Africa Program via Husker Online, which could be why the Huskers knew about Diop.

But that’s another good reason why the program will be a good fit. Diop has raw talent and the Huskers will know how to develop him. Even though most of Diop’s points happen around the basket, he does show the ability to make 3-pointers.

Diop’s shot will need work and few will be better to aid him than Fred Hoiberg. The former NBA player and head coach will help develop the fundamentals needed to have a future in pro basketball.

All the raw tools are there — it’s just going to take time which Nebraska has especially if Diop redshirts.

What about the final roster spot?

I’m wondering if Nebraska basketball will leave it open (Huskers have one scholarship available). I wouldn’t hate if Fred Hoiberg gave it to his son because he earned based on his play last season.

At the same time, Nebraska could hold it in case another transfer comes available. Hoiberg probably doesn’t need the scholarship to pay for college. It would be a sign of respect more than anything.

I believe that Fred will probably go into next season with one open scholarship. You never know when a player could be available and as of right now, Nebraska has a pretty solid roster going into the 2023-24 season.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel. You can also find our podcast on Apple or Spotify, or purchase our Husker Big Red Merchandise. 

 

 

 

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