Nebraska Hoops Game Day: at Wisconsin

Ahron UlisGSr.6-3/190Made his first start as a Husker in Wednesday night’s loss to USC. He missed his only shot and finished with 3 rebounds, 0 assists, and two turnovers over 14 minutes of work.Brice WilliamsGSr.6-7/214He scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half of Nebraska’s loss to USC. He’s averaging a career-best 18.5 points per game this season.Juwan GaryFSr.6-6/226Scored a career-high 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field in the loss to USC. He also was 0-6 from 3-point range and is now 2-21 from behind the arc over the last five games.Berke BuyuktuncelFSo.6-10/224He posted six points, four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and blocked a shot in the Huskers’ loss to USC. His 27 minutes were his most in Big Ten play.Braxton MeahFSr.7-1/264 He’s played a total of 15:17 over the last two games and has not attempted a shot since the loss to Rutgers on Jan. 16. He had four rebounds and two turnovers over 11:31 of play vs. USC.

Max KlesmitGSr.6-4/204He averages 10.4 points and leads Wisconsin with 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game this season. His 113 3-point attempts are also 25 more 3-pointers (113) than any other Badger, making 33 of them.John BlackwellGSo.6-4/204He is scoring 16.4 points per game on 48.6 percent shooting while averaging 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on the season.John TonjeGSr.6-5/218Former Omaha Central standout who leads Wisconsin and ranks eighth in the Big Ten in scoring at 17.5 points per game. He’s also hit a team-high 34 3-pointers at a 38.6% clip.Steven CrowlFSr.7-0/248He’s averaging 10.4 points per game on 52.7 percent shooting and ranks second on the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and assists (2.5 apg).Nolan WinterFSo.7-0/235He averages 10.4 points per game on 61 percent shooting from the field and leads Wisconsin with 5.8 rebounds per game.

3 keys to victory

Control the tempo

One of the most fascinating aspects of Wisconsin’s 15-4 start this season is how head coach Greg Gard has done it by straying far from his comfort zone. The Badgers have taken on a starkly different identity this season. Rather than the plodding, ball-control style UW has used for decades, Gard embraced a modernized offense. Now, Wisconsin ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-point makes (182) and attempts (512) and is 10th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (122.9). As a result, the Badgers come into today’s contest averaging 82.5 points per game. Nebraska must be locked in defensively from start to finish this afternoon, particularly in getting back in transition after every change of possession. If the Huskers allow Wisconsin to dictate the pace, it will be another long day in Madison.

Play smart

As mentioned, few teams in college basketball are more efficient than Wisconsin. That goes beyond its impressive overall offensive efficiency numbers, too. The Badgers also rank in the nation’s top 40 in effective field goal percentage (35th, 55.4), offensive turnover percentage (38th, 15.1), and offensive steal percentage (10th, 7.3). In other words, UW rarely makes mistakes. Meanwhile, unforced errors on both ends of the floor have killed Nebraska all season, especially during its five-game losing streak. The Huskers have such a small margin for error right now that they basically have to be perfect to have a chance at winning. Focus and decision-making will be critical from start to finish in this one.

Stay together

One of the greatest concerns that comes with an extended losing streak is doubt and pessimism creeping into your locker room. Nebraska’s body language after the home loss to USC couldn’t have been much worse, as frustration is clearly becoming a factor. The thing about adversity is that it exposes what a team is all about more than anything else. Head coach Fred Hoiberg said his team continued to show resilience over the past few days of practices. But spirited practices only mean so much until the Huskers are rewarded again with their first victory since Jan. 4. As NU looks for its first Big Ten road victory of the season, its players must rally around each other now more than ever. They cannot allow losses to fracture their continuity. If they do, the season will officially be lost.

Quotable

“It’s a game of runs to me. We’re on a five-game losing streak. We might go on a five-game winning streak. You don’t know. The word we harped on (Wednesday) was ‘believe.’” I believe in this team no matter what’s the outcome. I still got more belief than anybody in this world with this team I’m playing with.”

Senior forward Juwan Gary on Nebraska needing to keep the faitth during its five-game losing streak.

Prediction

Wisconsin (-7.5) 78, Nebraska 69

Robin’s season record: 16-3

Vs. the spread: 9-10

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