Indiana Basketball vs Nebraska: Game Info, preview, prediction and more
By Alec Lasley
The Hoosiers look to rebound after back-to-back losses on the road, as they get back to Assembly Hall and welcome in the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
After two losses in a row for Nebraska, the Cornhuskers got back in the win column last week, picking up their second Big Ten win.
In his seventh season with Nebraska, Tim Miles has maybe his most talented team since he arrived.
Led by James Palmer Jr, listed on the Midseason Wooden Award Watch List, who is third in the conference in scoring (19.3 PPG), Nebraska has one of the most talented groups of wings in the Big Ten.
Palmer, a former Miami (Fla.) transfer, has found a home in Nebraska and is an interesting future NBA prospect.
With four games of 25+ points this season, Palmer can get his points in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-6 wing uses his size to get to the line at ease, with six games this year of over 10 free throw attempts. Though he is only a 32.3 percent three point shooter for his career, Palmer also has six games with three or more made three’s.
Though Palmer plays more on the wing, the Cornhuskers still run the majority of their offense through him, with a usage rate of 31.4 percent, ranked fourth in the Big Ten.
Playing alongside Palmer in the backcourt is Glynn Watson Jr.
The 6-foot point guard, has a versatile game that allows him to play off the ball. Shooting at a career high 41.7 percent from deep, Watson sees 50 percent of his field goal attempts come from three.
Averaging 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, Watson has seen his offensive rating jump almost 30 points from last season, now up to 122.5. With so many other options this year, he is able to let the game come to him and get others involved, ranking sixth in the Big Ten in assists per game.
In the front court for Nebraska is another load to handle with Isaiah Roby (11.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG), and Isaac Copeland Jr (14.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG).
Just like Maryland, the Cornhuskers rely heavily on them to control the paint on both ends, combing for 33 percent of their total rebounds and over 50 percent of their total blocks.
After scoring in double figures in just two out of their first eight games, Roby has only had one game less than 10 points in their last seven.
For Copeland, he has been a steady force all season long, ranked in the top 10 in the conference in field goal percentage (53.5 percent).
Key to the game
Who wins the turnover battle?
The Cornhuskers have one of the scrappiest defenses in the country, averaging almost nine steals per game, good enough for 31st in the NCAA.
On the other hand, they rarely turn the ball over. Ranking in the top 15 in the country with fewest turnovers this season, Nebraska is averaging just 10 per game.
James Palmer, being the catalyst for both stats, has a turnover percent of just 11.6. With the ball almost always in his hands, it’ll be a tough time making him cough it up more than a few times a game, since he has had one or fewer turnovers in nine out of their 16 games this season.
For Glynn Watson, he also ranks third in the conference in assists to turnover ratio (3.10).
Not only is Palmer ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 1.6 steals per game, he is one of five Cornhuskers that rank in the top 11.
light. Related Story. Is Jerome Hunter getting back to full health?
When it comes to the Hoosiers, they have been extremely turnover prone most of the season, ranking 218th in the country with 14 a game.
Whereas Nebraska only has one player with more than two turnovers a game, Indiana has four that average at least two per game.
The Hoosiers will have to keep the turnovers to a minimum as Nebraska thrives in transition.
What you need to know
What? Nebraska 12-4 (2-3) at Indiana 12-4 (3-2)
When? Monday, January 14 – 6:30 pm EST
Where? Assembly Hall – Bloomington, Indiana
TV? FS1
Radio? IU Radio Network
All-Time series? Indiana leads series, 6-5
Prediction? Indiana 77, Nebraska 71