No. 14 Indiana basketball needs this win against Nebraska on Wednesday

No. 14 Indiana basketball needs a big rebound win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Wednesday after dropping their first game on Saturday.

The Hoosiers carry a six-game winning streak against Nebraska coming into Wednesday’s game and have not lost a game against the Huskers in Assembly Hall since January 14, 2019. That means that every Indiana basketball player on the Hoosiers’ roster this season is undefeated against the Cornhuskers, including Race Thompson.

Here are my keys for Indiana basketball to rebound after their tough loss on the road against Rutgers with a home win against Nebraska:

Keys to an Indiana basketball victory vs. Nebraska

REBOUND, REBOUND, REBOUND!

On Saturday against the Scarlet Knights, the Hoosiers were outrebounded 47-33 and allowed Rutgers to grab 17 offensive rebounds (14 of which came in the first half). The 17 offensive rebounds allowed are tied for the most in a conference game for Indiana basketball since 2019-20.

In the Hoosiers’ two wins against Nebraska last season, Indiana outrebounded the Huskers 71-56, and have not been outrebounded by the Huskers in a game since January 14, 2019, which is also the last time Indiana basketball lost a game to Nebraska.

Since last season, Indiana basketball is 22-4 (.846) against Big Ten teams when outrebounding them in games, but holds a record of just 4-10 (.286) when getting outrebounded by their opponent. Significant stat alert!

Get Trayce Jackson-Davis a post-touch then play

In Saturday’s loss to Rutgers, Trayce Jackson-Davis got double-teamed on nearly every post touch, which made it difficult for TJD to get going, especially because the only other Hoosier that was hitting shots was Miller Kopp.

Hopefully, Jalen Hood-Schifino returns in this matchup, which gives TJD more options to pass to when double-teamed, but the offense still needs to run through Jackson-Davis for the Hoosiers to thrive.

Coach Woodson’s offense should be to create a deep post-touch for Jackson-Davis, allow a double-team to happen, and let Jackson-Davis and others create off of the mismatch. Let’s see how Nebraska approaches this game defensively.

Allow Jalen Hood-Schifino to create plays for everyone

After a one-game absence due to back soreness, Jalen Hood-Schifino (hopefully) returns to action, and he is much needed for the Hoosiers to succeed.

Xavier Johnson was the primary ball-handler and attempted to be the primary playmaker against Rutgers and it did not go well. And that’s an understatement.

Hood-Schifino calm demeanor and playmaking abilities are on full display, even in limited minutes as he continues to recover from his back injury. He may not look to score or be as aggressive as he was against North Carolina, but he will make his teammates around him better with more open looks.

Projected Starters

Indiana

G – Xavier Johnson
G – Jalen Hood-Schifino (Day-to-day — Trey Galloway would replace)
F – Miller Kopp
F – Race Thompson
F – Trayce Jackson-Davis

Nebraska

G – Emmanuel Bandoumel
G – C.J. Wilcher
G – Sam Griesel
F – Juwan Gary
F – Derrick Walker

Stat line predictions for Indiana basketball vs. Nebraska

Trayce Jackson-Davis: 32 MIN | 22 PTS | 11 REB | 8/13 FG | 6/9 FT | 3 BLK

Sam Griesel: 35 MIN | 17 PTS | 9 REB | 6 AST | 7/12 FG | 2/2 FT | 3 TOV

Jalen Hood-Schifino: 29 MIN | 12 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST | 5/9 FG | 2/4 3PT | 2 TOV

Derrick Walker: 30 MIN | 14 PTS | 7 REB | 1 BLK | 6/10 FG | 2/6 FT

Xavier Johnson: 33 MIN | 16 PTS | 4 AST | 5/10 FG | 2/5 3PT | 4/5 FT | 2 STL | 3 TOV

C.J. Wilcher: 32 MIN | 14 PTS | 2 AST | 5/13 FG | 4/10 3PT | 1/1 FT | 3 STL | 1 TOV