3 keys and a prediction for Nebraska basketball vs. Winthrop

The 6-0 Nebraska basketball team will look to continue the nation’s longest winning streak at home against Winthrop on Tuesday night (7:30 PM CST, BTN).

Nebraska basketball is a 16.5-point favorite, but this is a legit matchup. The Eagles are ranked No.108 with the 85th-best adjusted offense, according to KenPom. Winthrop is a skilled 3-point shooting team, one that nearly upset Arkansas last week.

The Huskers are playing their third game in six days. Not all buy games are the same, and this one could be trouble if Nebraska basketball isn’t careful. Here are three keys and a prediction.

Own the paint

This should be obvious. Nebraska basketball has a size advantage with Rienk Mast and Berke. They have a skill advantage, too.

As much as people have talked about the 3-point shooting, which has been stellar, Nebraska is shooting 65.5 percent on 2-point attempts. That’s fifth in college baskeball, and it needs to continue on Tuesday.

If the Huskers dominate in that area of the game, as they should, this game won’t be competitive.

Guard the 3-point line

Part of it is the way Nebraska guards. The Huskers are aggressive with their help defense. They are a top-100 defense at defending 2-point attempts, but are 358th in 3-point attempts allowed (30.8) and 314th in 3-point field goals allowed (9.3).

Teams are only shooting 30.3 percent, which ranks 110th. So the 3-point percentage defense ranks in the top third. That’s why you don’t mind teams shooting so many 3s. However, Winthrop has multiple players averaging more than a 3-point field goal per game. Kareem Rozier is making 3.3 per game (43.5 percent). Daylen Berry is making 1.8 (36.7), and Kody Clouet is making 2.3 per game (38.9).

As a team, the Eagles shoot 37.6 percent. Nebraska needs to keep the percentage closer to 30 percent than 40 percent. Otherwise, this game could get uncomfortable.

Rebound

Neither team turns the ball over much. Nebraska averages a few more turnovers per game, but each has done well taking care of the ball.

One thing neither team does well is rebound. Nebraska basketball is solid on the defensive glass; however, the Huskers rank 330th in offensive rebounding.

Winthrop is 268th in defensive rebounding, so this feels like a game where the Huskers could get the extra-possession advantage on the glass.

Nebraska 91, Winthop 73

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