Nebraska WBB vs Ohio State Game Thread

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio State Buckeyes
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, 6 p.m. (CT)
Value City Arena (10,049) - Columbus, Ohio
Live Video: BTN+
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (5:45 p.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst) Lincoln - B107.3 FM, 1400 AM KLIN; Omaha - ESPN 590 AM Huskers.com, Huskers App, TuneIn

Earlier this season, Nebraska lost in overtime to the Buckeyes. Now, the Huskers travel to Columbus to face an Ohio State team that has gained in confidence and poise, despite being a young group.

The Huskers have lost five out of their last six games with two of those losses being agonizingly close (four points) and against ranked teams. Ohio State is not ranked, but is a top 25 RPI team. I seem to be repeating myself from previous game previews, but the Huskers will need to put together four full quarters of basketball to beat this team in their own arena.

In Big Ten play, Ohio State is averaging 73.6 points, including 83.8 points over the last five games. OSU is allowing 69.6 per game. The Buckeyes are shooting 42.8 percent, including 33.6 percent from three-point range in league play and 69.5 percent at the line. Opponents are shooting 41.6 percent against OSU, but just 28.2 percent from long range, despite hitting 73.4 percent of their free throws. OSU has been outworked on the glass (-0.8 rpg) but carries a plus-2.8 turnover margin in Big Ten action. In the first meeting with Nebraska, OSU out-rebounded the Huskers, 64-49, and won the turnover battle, 18-14, attempting 88 shots from the field compared to 69 for the Huskers.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-10, 6-9 Big Ten)
13 - Ashtyn Veerbeek - 6-2 - So. - F - 7.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg
31 - Kate Cain - 6-5 - Jr. - C - 9.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg
3 - Hannah Whitish - 5-9 - Sr. - G - 9.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - So. - G - 10.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg
5 - Nicea Eliely - 6-1 - Sr. - G - 8.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg

Off the Bench
32 - Leigha Brown - 6-1 - So. - F - 13.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg
34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 6.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg
2 - Trinity Brady - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 1.6 ppg, 1.1 rpg
44 - Kayla Mershon - 6-3 - So. - F - 1.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg
14 - Grace Mitchell - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 1.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg
11 - Kristian Hudson - 5-5 - RSr. - G - 1.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg
1 - Makenzie Helms - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 0.9 ppg, 0.6 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 (58-59); 13th Season Overall (251-168)

Ohio State Buckeyes (16-9, 9-5 Big Ten)
14 - Dorka Juhasz - 6-4 - So. - F - 12.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg
32 - Aaliyah Patty - 6-3 - So. - F - 7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg
0 - Madison Greene - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 8.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg
4 - Jacy Sheldon - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 9.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg
10 - Braxtin Miller - 5-10 - Jr. - G - 7.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg

Off the Bench
24 - Kierstan Bell - 6-1 - Fr. - G - 11.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg
3 - Janai Crooms - 5-10 - So. - G - 7.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg
23 - Rebeka Mikulasikova - 6-4 - Fr. - F - 7.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg
11 - Aixa Wone Aranaz - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 1.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg

Head Coach: Kevin McGuff (St. Joseph’s College, 1992) Seventh Season at Ohio State (153-74); 18th Season Overall (408-174)