Nebraska WBB Big Ten Tournament Preview

The Big Ten Tournament starts bright and early Wednesday morning with Nebraska facing the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the third time this season. In the previous two games, Nebraska came up on the short end of the score board both times.

Can they make the adjustments needed to get a win this time around?

#8 Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-11, 9-10 Big Ten) vs. #9 Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-12, 7-11 Big Ten)
March 10, 2021, 10 a.m. (CT)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, Indiana
Live TV: BTN
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (9:45 a.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst) Lincoln (B107.3 FM), Omaha (ESPN 590 AM), Huskers.com, Huskers App, TuneIn

Husker guard Sam Haiby is 26 points away from joining the 1000 point club (a feat Kate Cain achieved earlier this season). Haiby was just named second team All-Big Ten after making a large jump in her rebounding and scoring consistency this season. Cain and Isabelle Bourne were both named honorable mention All-Big Ten and Cain was named to the All-Defense Team.

It is hard to scout the Golden Gophers as they have had injuries and COVID issues, making it hard to guess who is available and who will be starting. On the flip side, the Huskers are getting healthier, with Isabelle Bourne getting back up to speed after an ankle injury and Bella Cravens returning to action after the same.

Minnesota and Nebraska by the Numbers

As a team, Minnesota is averaging 69.1 points while allowing 79.1 points per game. The Gophers carry a minus-0.9 rebound margin and a minus -2.3 turnover margin, while shooting 40.2 percent from the field and 33.2 percent from three-point range. Opponents are shooting 46.5 percent, including 38 percent against the Gophers from long range. The opposition has hit 78.3 percent of its free throws.

Nebraska scores an average of 69.1 points and allows 70.8 by their opponents. The Huskers also have a -0.9 rebounding margin and have a whopping -4.2 turnover margin. Nebraska shoots 42.4% from the field and 35.0% from three point land. Opponents are shooting 38.5% from the field and 32.5% from long range. Nebraska is making 71.5% of its free throws and opponents are making 67.2% of theirs.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-11, 9-10 BIG TEN)

No. Player Ht. Yr. Pos. PPG RPG
34 Isabelle Bourne 6-2 So. F 13.9 7.9
31 Kate Cain 6-5 Gr./Sr.C 10.3 6.3
0 Ashley Scoggin 5-7 RSo. G 8.2 2.4
4 Sam Haiby 5-9 Jr. G 17.0 6.8
11 Ruby Porter 5-10 Fr. G 5.0 2.2

Off the Bench
2 Trinity Brady 5-11 So. G 8.5 5.0
14 Bella Cravens 6-3 Jr. F 6.4 7.5
21 Annika Stewart 6-3 Fr. F 6.3 3.0
10 Whitney Brown 5-8 Fr. G 3.2 1.2
5 MiCole Cayton 5-9 Gr./RJr. G 2.1 0.8
32 Kendall Coley 6-2 Fr. F/G 1.4 0.6

Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998) Fifth Season at Nebraska (70-73) 14th Season Overall (263-182)

Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-12, 7-11 BIG TEN)

No. Player Ht. Yr. Pos. PPG RPG
30 Kadi Sissoko 6-0 RSo.F 12.6 6.6
25 Klarke Sconiers 6-2 So. C 6.2 4.1
1 Alexia Smith 5-8 Fr. G 4.7 2.7
14 Sara Scalia 5-10 So. G 14.5 3.5
24 Gadiva Hubbard 5-9 RSr.G 11.0 3.7

Off the Bench
4 Jasmine Powell 5-6 So. G 14.5 4.6
12 Laura Bagwell Katalinich 6-0 Gr. F 5.3 3.4
15 Kayla Mershon 6-3 Jr. F 4.1 3.5
21 Caroline Strande 5-11 Fr. G 4.1 2.1
23 Katie Borowicz 5-7 Fr. G 3.3 1.3
43 Grace Cumming 6-3 RFr. F 2.7 2.8
10 Erin Hedman 6-3 Fr. F 0.7 1.5
24 Justice Ross 6-0 RFr. F 0.7 1.3

Head Coach: Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota, 2004) Third Season at Minnesota (45-38) Third Season Overall (45-38)