Stetson University Preview

Date: Friday, December 29th

Time: 7:00pm CST

Location: Lincoln, NE

Mascot: Hatters

Coach: Corey Williams (5th Season)

2016-17 Record: 11-21 (3-11 Atlantic Sun Conference)

2017-18 Record: 7-7 (0-0 ASUN)

Fun Fact: The athletic teams are named after John B Stetson. He was not only the benefactor of the school but also the same guy who invented the Stetson cowboy hat.

Previous Season:

Stetson had a fairly lackluster season a year ago. They ended the year 11-21 and tied for last place in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Their 11 wins were not against a single team that ended the season with a winning record. The closest thing you could consider a “best win” was against a 15-19 University of North Florida squad who made it to the ASUN championship game where they lost to Florida International.

Current Season:

The Hatters started the season off with two decent wins against Weber International and Florida International University. The latter going into overtime. Since then they have won against lesser opponents and have been beaten by teams that they were expected to win. Four of their 7 losses were decided by 4 points or less. This is showing a decent step forward from last years team.

One noticeable loss was a 74-59 to the University of Central Florida on December 19th. Nebraska also played UCF back on November 23rd in a 68-59 loss to the Knights. A game I am sure Nebraska would like to have back. Both teams also played and defeated Marist earlier in the season.

Stetson is a guard heavy team and lack much impact from their forwards. If Nebraska’s big men come out strong you could see some nice stats from the likes of Jordy and Isaiah who could use a good game in the paint before conference season starts on January 2nd.

Leading the Hatters Divine Myles who is averaging 17.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, and 3.5 apg and is their main scoring threat. The versatile senior guard is shooting 54% from the field and 40% from three point range. If Nebraska can shut him down then the Hatters will struggle to score.

Next to Myles is B.J. Glasford. The senior guard is averaging 11.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 2.1 apg. Not quite the talent Divine is but just as versatile in his playing.

They do have a 6’9” freshman forward who has shown decent improvement though the season so far. Abayomi Lyiola has averaged 9.9 pgg and 5.9 rpg on the year. He is still young and his playing has shown that. Nebraska should have little trouble from him during the game.

Prediction:

This is a great game for Nebraska to end the non conference on and go into conference play with a healthy record. While Stetson has improved from last season I don’t see them having an upper hand in the game against Nebraska. The only way this goes south for the Big Red is if Nebraska has a hangover from having a week off since defeating Delaware State. Though, I doubt that will happen this year.

University of Nebraska 89 Stetson University 67