Nebraska WBB vs Illinois Preview

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, 2 p.m. (CT)
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,000) - Lincoln, Nebraska
Tickets: Huskers.com
Live Video: BTN+ (Student U)
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (1:45 p.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst) Lincoln - B107.3 FM; Omaha - ESPN 590 AM Huskers.com, Huskers App, TuneIn

Saturday’s game will mark the final regular-season home game for four Nebraska seniors - Nicea Eliely, Kristian Hudson, Grace Mitchell and Hannah Whitish. Eliely, Mitchell and Whitish have each played more than 100 games in Husker uniforms since joining the Nebraska program as freshmen in 2016-17. The trio also helped the Huskers earn a trip to the 2018 NCAA Tournament and hopes to help Nebraska to another postseason bid in 2020. Hudson is in her second season as a graduate transfer for the Huskers after playing her first three seasons at Florida International.

Scouting Illinois

Illinois is led by junior Petra Holesinska, who is averaging 13.8 points and 2.9 rebounds. Holesinska ranks among the Big Ten’s best long-range shooters, hitting 42.7 percent (67-157) of her threes, including 37.8 percent in league play. Holesinska is the only Illini player averaging in double figures, but Kennedi Myles has added 8.9 points and a team-best 8.4 rebounds.

In Big Ten play, Illinois has been outscored by an average of 18.8 points per game (76.6-57.8), taking 11 of its 13 Big Ten losses by double digits. The Illini have been out-rebounded 43.3-30.1 (-13.2 rpg) in conference action this season. Last year, Illinois was outscored by an average of 10 points (74.3-64.3) and out-rebounded by 6.9 points (39.4-32.5) in league play. The Illini have not had a winning season since 2012-13 (19-14, 9-7), which is the last time Illinois won more than six Big Ten games.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-11, 6-10 Big Ten)
13 - Ashtyn Veerbeek - 6-2 - So. - F - 7.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg
31 - Kate Cain - 6-5 - Jr. - C - 9.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg
3 - Hannah Whitish - 5-9 - Sr. - G - 8.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg
4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - So. - G - 10.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg
5 - Nicea Eliely - 6-1 - Sr. - G - 8.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg

Off the Bench
32 - Leigha Brown - 6-1 - So. - F - 13.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg
34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 5.9 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, 2.6 rpg
14 - Grace Mitchell - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 1.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg
11 - Kristian Hudson - 5-5 - RSr. - G - 0.9 ppg, 0.8 rpg
1 - Makenzie Helms - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 0.8 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 (58-60); 13th Season Overall (251-169)

Illinois Fighting Illini (11-15, 2-13 Big Ten)
44 - Kennedi Myles - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 8.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg
50 - Ali Andrews - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 8.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg
1 - Brandi Beasley - 5-7 - Sr. - G - 8.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg
10 - Jeanae Terry - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg
13 - Petra Holesinska - 5-9 - RJr. - G - 13.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg

Off the Bench
11 - Jada Peebles - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 5.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg
30 - Courtney Joens - 5-10 - Sr. - G - 5.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg
23 - Mackenzie Blazek - 6-3 - So. - F - 4.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg
0 - J-Naya Ephraim - 5-9 - So. - G - 2.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg
5 - Cierra Rice - 5-9 - RSr. - G - 2.7 ppg, 0.7 rpg
21 - Nancy Panagiotopoulou - 6-3 - RSo. - F - 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg
2 - Lyric Robins - 5-11 - Jr. - F - 0.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg
4 - Carolyn Weleski - 5-10 - So. - G - 0.5 ppg, 0.5 rpg
12 - Taylor Edwards - 5-7 - Fr. - G - 0.4 ppg, 0.0 rpg

Head Coach: Nancy Fahey (Wisconsin, 1981) Third Season at Illinois (30-57); 34th Season Overall (767-190)