Nebraska WBB vs Creighton Preview

The Husker women are 5-0 but will face their biggest test so far in this young season when Creighton visits Lincoln. It will be a much different Nebraska team than the one that faced the Bluejays last year. The faces have not changed much, but the basketball has. This Husker team is playing much better on defense than last season. This Nebraska team is also led in scoring by three sophomores - Leigha Brown, Sam Haiby and Ashtyn Verbeek - but has shown themselves to be a very balanced team in scoring overall.

Creighton has a 3-1 record which includes wins over North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Omaha. Their loss came at the hands of Drake (who is in the ‘receiving votes’ category in both women’s polls).

Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-0) vs. Creighton Bluejays (3-1)
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, 2 p.m. (CT)
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,000) - Lincoln
Live Video: BTN+ (Student U)
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (1:45 p.m.)Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst) Lincoln-1400 AM KLIN; CD 105.9 FM; Huskers.com; Huskers App

We will have a game thread on Sunday!

Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
13 - Ashtyn Veerbeek - 6-2 - So. - F - 10.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg
31 - Kate Cain - 6-5 - Jr. - C - 7.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg
3 - Hannah Whitish - 5-9 - Sr. - G - 8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg
4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - So. - G - 12.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg
5 - Nicea Eliely - 6-1 - Sr. - G - 9.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg

Off the Bench
32 - Leigha Brown - 6-1 - So. - F - 15.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg
33 - Taylor Kissinger - 6-1 - Jr. - G - 4.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg
34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 3.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg
14 - Grace Mitchell - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg
44 - Kayla Mershon - 6-3 - So. - F - 1.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg
11 - Kristian Hudson - 5-5 - RSr. - G - 1.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg
1 - Makenzie Helms - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg
2 - Trinity Brady - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg

Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998) Fourth Season at Nebraska (47-49); 13th Season Overall (240-158)

Creighton Bluejays (3-1, 0-0 Big East)
5 - Jaylyn Agnew - 5-11 - Sr. - F - 16.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg
12 - Gracey Griglione - 6-1 - So. - F - 1.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg
2 - Tatum Rembao - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 8.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg
4 - Temi Carda - 5-7 - Jr. - G - 12.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg
21 - Olivia Elger - 5-7 - Sr. - G - 6.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg

Off the Bench
33 - Payton Brotzki - 5-11 - So. - G - 5.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg
24 - Chloe Dworak - 5-6 - So. - G - 5.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg
34 - Mykel Parham - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 3.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg
22 - Carly Bachelor - 6-0 - Fr. - G/F - 3.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg
3 - Dee Dee Pryor - 5-7 - Fr. - G - 1.5 ppg, 0.5 rpg

Head Coach: Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987)18th Season at Creighton (330-221); 18th Season Overall: (330-221)

As a team, Creighton is averaging 62.8 points per game while shooting 37.1 percent from the field and 31.6 percent (36-114) from three-point range. The Jays are a solid 75 percent at the free throw line but have averaged just 11 trips to the line per game compared to 14 by their opponents. CU has been out-rebounded, 39.0-35.0, but owns a plus 7.8 turnover margin per game.

Through five games this season, Nebraska has held four opponents to 55 points or less. Last season, the Huskers held only two opponents to 55 points the entire 30-game season. Nebraska’s defense is only allowing 54.8 points per game, while limiting the opposition to 30.9 percent shooting from the field and 21.2 percent from three-point range. Those same opponents are shooting 72.6 percent at the free throw line.

Creighton is not a high-powered offense and the Husker defense is much improved. Creighton is going to want to play a slow game and hold the Nebraska offense in check. The Bluejay defense is nearly as stingy as Nebraska’s (and has probably faced better competition) in only allowing 56 points per game. The Husker offense is averaging 74 points/game. Whether the Huskers can maintain their offensive production will likely decide this game.

Go Big Red!