Nebraska WBB vs Indiana Preview

There is no question the Huskers are in a slump, especially on the offensive side of the court. After shooting 40 percent or better in 18 of its first 19 games this season, the Huskers have struggled over the last four contests, hitting less than 34 percent in three of the last four games. Nebraska hit a season-low 32.8 percent at Iowa, resulting in a season-low 60 points. The last time out at Pinnacle Bank Arena, the Huskers hit just 33.3 percent of their shots in an overtime loss to Ohio State.

Yikes. Not a great recipe with a ranked team coming to town.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. No. 18 Indiana Hoosiers
Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, 2 p.m. (CT)
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,000) - Lincoln, Nebraska
Tickets: Huskers.com
Special Event: Play4Kay Pink Day
Live Video: BTN+
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (1:45 p.m.)Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst) Lincoln - B107.3 FM; Omaha - ESPN 590 AMHuskers.com, Huskers App, TuneIn

This is going to sound snarky and I don’t mean for that, but you can essentially break down the current state of the Husker offense into three plays: 1) force a pass inside (turnover) 2) let Leigha Brown size up the defense, dribble, drive and either make a crazy shot, draw the foul or get hammered with no call, and 3) chuck up a three-pointer and watch the rebound go to the other team.

I’m not sure what the fix is for what ails the Huskers, but I would be surprised if they find it today. Indiana has held opponents to just 36.4 percent shooting on the season, including an abysmal 25.3 percent from three-point range. Indiana is allowing just 58.5 points per game. The Hoosiers are in the middle of their best season in school history. Indiana has been ranked in the AP Top 25 for 14 straight weeks. National Player of the Year candidate Ali Patberg leads the Hoosiers with 13.8 points and 5.4 assists per game.

I would not be surprised to see Amy Williams experiment a bit with her starting lineup in an attempt to find a spark. Freshman Isabelle Bourne has been playing solid basketball all around. Leigha Brown is the leading scorer while coming off the bench. Her improvisational style makes for some rough-looking basketball in which the other Huskers aren’t sure where they need to be for a pass or rebound, but she does score points and Nebraska needs those right now.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (15-8, 5-7 Big Ten)
13 - Ashtyn Veerbeek - 6-2 - So. - F - 7.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg
31 - Kate Cain - 6-5 - Jr. - C - 9.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg
3 - Hannah Whitish - 5-9 - Sr. - G - 9.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg
4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - So. - G - 10.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg
5 - Nicea Eliely - 6-1 - Sr. - G - 8.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg

Off the Bench
32 - Leigha Brown - 6-1 - So. - F - 13.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg
34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 5.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg
2 - Trinity Brady - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 1.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg
14 - Grace Mitchell - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 1.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg
44 - Kayla Mershon - 6-3 - So. - F - 1.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg
11 - Kristian Hudson - 5-5 - RSr. - G - 1.1 ppg, 0.7 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 (57-57); 13th Season Overall (250-166)

18/22 Indiana Hoosiers (18-6, 8-4 Big Ten)
10 - Aleksa Gulbe - 6-3 - So. - F - 8.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg
50 - Brenna Wise - 6-0 - Sr. - F - 8.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg
13 - Jaelynn Penn - 5-10 - Jr. - G - 10.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg
14 - Ali Patberg - 5-11 - RJr. - G - 13.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg
34 - Grace Berger - 6-0 - So. - G - 13.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg

Off the Bench
54 - Mackenzie Holmes - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 11.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg
11 - Chanel Wilson - 5-6 - RFr. - G - 3.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg
33 - Jorie Allen - 6-1 - Fr. - F - 2.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg
2 - Keyanna Warthen - 5-10 - Jr. - G - 1.6 ppg, 0.6 rpg
51 - Hannah Noveroske - 6-5 - Fr. - C - 1.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg
3 - Grace Waggoner - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 0.8 ppg, 0.3 rpg

Head Coach: Teri Moren (Purdue, 1992)Sixth Season at Indiana (121-72); 17th Season Overall (320-202)