Nebraska WBB vs Wisconsin Preview

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Wisconsin Badgers
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, 11 a.m. (CT)
Kohl Center (17,152) - Madison, Wisconsin
Live TV: BTN (Sloane Martin, Vera Jones)
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (10:45 a.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst) Lincoln - B107.3 FM, Omaha - CD 105.9 FM; Huskers.com, Huskers App

Last Wednesday, the Huskers battled back from a 21 point first-half deficit against the Purdue Boilermakers to hold a four point lead in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. An untimely scoring drought plagued the Huskers an consigned them to an eight point loss.

The first game between the Huskers and the Badgers was a 15 point Husker win (65-50 on January 9). Nebraska is 14-5 on the season and 4-4 in the Big Ten. The Badgers are 10-9 and 2-6 in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin takes pride in their defense. The Badgers are allowing 63.3 points per game and has only allowed one opponent (Iowa - 85) to score 75 in any game this season. Colorado (74) and Purdue (72) are the only other Badger foes to hit 70. Wisconsin has been a terrible team in recent years, but the 2019-20 Badgers are a much improved group that could give the Huskers a stiff test in Madison.

Wisconsin is led by outstanding sophomore Imani Lewis. The 6-1 forward is averaging team bests of 15.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Senior Abby Laszewski, a 6-3 forward, has added 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds on the season. Freshman Sydney Hilliard has made an immediate impact. The 5-11 guard is averaging 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds on the season and has started all eight Big Ten contests. Senior point guard Kendra Van Leeuwen has averaged 6.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and a team-best 4.2 assists. Junior Niya Beverley rounds out Wisconsin’s starting five with 7.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-5, 4-4 Big Ten)
13 - Ashtyn Veerbeek - 6-2 - So. - F - 8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg
31 - Kate Cain - 6-5 - Jr. - C - 9.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg
3 - Hannah Whitish - 5-9 - Sr. - G - 9.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - So. - G - 11.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg
5 - Nicea Eliely - 6-1 - Sr. - G - 9.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg

Off the Bench
32 - Leigha Brown - 6-1 - So. - F - 13.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg
34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 5.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg
2 - Trinity Brady - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg
14 - Grace Mitchell - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg
44 - Kayla Mershon - 6-3 - So. - F - 1.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg
11 - Kristian Hudson - 5-5 - RSr. - G - 1.3 ppg, 0.8 rpg
1 - Makenzie Helms - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 0.3 ppg, 0.5 rpg

Out for Season
33 - Taylor Kissinger - 6-1 - Jr. - G - 8.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg

Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)Fourth Season at Nebraska (56-54); 13th Season Overall (249-163)

Wisconsin Badgers (10-9, 2-6 Big Ten)
14 - Abby Laszewski - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 11.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg
34 - Imani Lewis - 6-1 - So. - F - 15.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg
10 - Kendra Van Leeuwen - 5-10 - Sr. - G - 6.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg
22 - Niya Beverley - 5-7 - Jr. - G - 7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg
30 - Sydney Hilliard - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 9.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg

Off the Bench
3 - Suzanne Gilreath - 5-4 - Sr. - G - 6.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg
5 - Julie Pospisilova - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 4.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg
40 - Tara Stauffacher - 5-11 - Fr. - F - 2.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg
41 - Sara Stapleton - 6-3 - Fr. - F/C - 1.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg
44 - Alex Luehring - 6-2 - So. - G - 1.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg
20 - Diamond Bragg - 5-7 - So. - G - 0.9 ppg, 0.7 rpg
33 - Courtney Fredrickson - 6-2 - RJr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg

Head Coach: Jonathan Tsipis (North Carolina, 1996) Fourth Season at Wisconsin (43-70); Eighth Season Overall (135-108)