Nebraska Basketball Big Ten Tournament Game Day: Minnesota
Here is what you need to know as Nebraska faces Minnesota for the third time this season to open the 2023 Big Ten Tournament tonight in Chicago…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-15, 9-11) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-21, 2-17)
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 – approximately 8 p.m. CT
United Center/Chicago (23,500)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet: FOX Sports app
Nebraska projected starters
| Sam Griesel | G | Sr. | 6-7/216 | Led NU with 16 points and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists at Iowa. |
| Jamarques Lawrence | G | Fr. | 6-3/185 | Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Scored 15 points at Iowa. |
| Keisei Tominaga | G | Jr. | 6-2/175 | Had 11 points at Iowa, his ninth straight double-figure scoring effort. |
| C.J. Wilcher | G | So. | 6-5/208 | Scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half in NU’s win at Iowa. |
| Derrick Walker | F | Sr. | 6-9/245 | Posted 9 points, 12 rebounds, and a season-high 9 assists at Iowa. |
Minnesota projected starters
| Ta’lon Cooper | G | Jr. | 6-4/190 | Averages 9.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and is 2nd in the Big Ten with 6.1 apg. |
| Joshua Ola-Joseph | G/F | Fr. | 6-7/215 | Averages 7.4 points and 2.8 boards while shooting 53.3% on FGs. |
| Jaden Henley | G/F | Fr. | 6-7/190 | Only scoring 4.9 ppg but had 11 in last meeting vs. Nebraska. |
| Jamison Battle | F | Jr. | 6-7/225 | Scoring 12.8 ppg and leads UM with 56 made 3-pointers this year. |
| Dawson Garcia | F | So. | 6-11/235 | Leads UM with 15.6 ppg & 6.6 rpg. Had 11 & 14 vs. NU last month. |
Be the aggressors
Minnesota is a young team limping into the Big Ten Tournament, losing 15 of its last 17 games. Nebraska needs to come out swinging from the opening tip to put the Golden Gophers down for good. That starts on defense. Minnesota turned the ball over 19 times in Lincoln, which included a season-high 13 steals by NU. The Huskers turned those into a 21-5 edge in second-chance points. The Gophers come in ranked 264th in offensive turnover percentage (19.4). Aggressive double teams and active hands should fluster UM’s guards, create more deflections, and provide ample scoring opportunities in transition.
Clean up the boards
As well as Nebraska played in its upset at Iowa, it nearly spoiled the win by being absolutely dominated on the defensive glass. The Hawkeyes crashed the boards after every shot and racked up 21 offensive rebounds for 31 second-chance points. The Huskers cannot afford to give opponents that many extra possessions, especially a Minnesota team looking for any spark it can get right now. The Gophers had nine offensive rebounds for 11 second-chance points in the last meeting, while Dawson Garcia has averaged 14.5 boards in two games vs. NU. Initiate first contact on boxouts, finish defensive possessions with strong rebounds, and don’t give the Gophers any unnecessary extra chances.
Keep Griesel on the attack
When Sam Griesel is assertive as a scorer, it adds an invaluable element to Nebraska’s offense. Sunday’s win at Iowa was a perfect example. The senior point guard led NU with 16 points on a team-high 10 shots, including going a season-best 3-for-4 on 3-pointers. In the Huskers’ win over Minnesota in Lincoln, Griesel scored 13 of his game-high 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting in the second half and was nearly unstoppable in getting to the rim. Griesel’s aggressiveness with the ball has improved significantly over the past few weeks. At 6-foot-7, 215 pounds, Griesel is a unique mismatch on offense. He needs to stay on the attack in Chicago.
Quotable
“It certainly wasn’t looking like that six weeks ago when we had the two starters go down, but we found a way to keep fighting, keep clawing, and scratching. And you know this team has really been built on a competitive spirit that every time we step on the floor. Whatever is happening, they continue to go out there and battle.”
Head coach Fred Hoiberg on whether he thought Nebraska could finish above .500 back in January.
Prediction
Nebraska (-6.5) 70, Minnesota 61
Robin’s overall season record: 19-12
Robin’s record vs. the spread: 16-15
