3 thoughts as Nebraska basketball is blown out by Purdue

Winning at Purdue was always going to be a tall task for Nebraska basketball. It would be a tall task for any team in college basketball, but the Huskers didn’t just lose. They were blown out.

Purdue dominated the game in all facets and it was all but over before halftime. Nebraska basketball showed some fight at the end of the first half, but Purdue scored 59 points in the second half in a 104-68 win.

Connor Essegian led the way for the Huskers with 17 points. He made 3-of-10 from 3-point range. Juwan Gary added 10 and Brice Williams finished with nine. Here are three thoughts on the loss.

The defense was atrocious

In the past two games, Nebraska basketball has allowed teams to make 34 3-pointers. That’s mind-boggling. What’s worse is that Purdue had assists on 32 of 41 baskets. That tells you how out of sorts the defense is right now.

Yes, Purdue is a good team. The Boilermakers shoot it well and are always tough to defend. But there were wide-open shooters early and often — just like the second half against Iowa.

It was ugly and that’s all there is to it.

Nebraska basketball didn’t get over Iowa

Sometimes one loss turns into two and that’s what happened Sunday. This game was over in the first few minutes if we are being honest. It wasn’t competitive. Sam Hoiberg provided a spark and Essegian did too, but not when it mattered.

The Huskers collapsed at Iowa. They were knocked down and still haven’t got back up.

The next five games are critical

This game was a reminder that an NCAA tournament berth is far from guaranteed. Nebraska will be projected in the field even after this loss, but the next five games aren’t easy. No games in the Big Ten are.

Rutgers and USC at home are must-win games. There’s also a home game against Illinois, as well as road games against Maryland and Wisconsin. Those are the next five games.

Nebraska needs to go 3-2 during that stretch, otherwise, they might need to go 6-4 or 7-3 down the stretch just to make the NCAA tournament and in this league, that’s a talk task.

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.