Nebraska Cornhuskers
Big Ten (22-10, 13-5)
Nebraska’s season looks like the stereotypical bubble team. They finished fourth in the Big Ten, a position that almost is a surefire selection for the tournament most seasons, but this year is not the same. Nebraska was given an easy schedule and lost all but one of the games were they were expected to lose. They didn’t do much to wow anyone in terms of outstanding wins and frankly they have three bad losses, but all of these were on the road. They had close games with Kansas and challenged themselves with a game against Creighton. They also beat Minnesota when they were ranked, a game that was an eyeopener for many. The fact of the matter is, they won 22 games and finished 4th in the Big Ten.
Big Wins: 1/18 Michigan (72-52), 2/13 Maryland (70-66), 2/25 Penn State (76-64)
Bad Losses: 11/16 at St. John’s (56-79), 1/12 at Penn State (74-76), 2/18 at Illinois (66-72)
Coach: Tim Miles
Why They Can Surprise:
Nebraska can surprise because of James Palmer Jr. Palmer has been a playmaker all year and was one of the best players in the Big Ten. When Palmer is on fire this Cornhusker team has been able to cruise over the competition. On the year, Palmer is averaging 17.3 points per game.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This team may be susceptible to inexperience worse than any other team in the field from a power conference. They have experience in age, but not experience in winning big games, going far in a postseason tournament, or even the Big Ten tournament. When it comes to the big stage in March, Nebraska may hit a wall that they have hit often before; they can’t finish the big ones.
Probable Starters:
Glynn Watson, Junior, Guard, 10.5 ppg, 3.3 apg
Anton Gill, Senior, Guard, 8.1 ppg, 1.1 apg
James Palmer Jr., Junior, Guard, 17.3 ppg, 2.9 apg, 4.3 rpg
Isaiah Roby, Sophomore, Forward, 8.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Isaac Copeland, Junior, Forward, 12.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Key Role Players:
Evan Taylor, Senior, Guard, 6.5 ppg, 2.3 apg
Jordy Tshimanga, Sophomore, Forward, 4.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Thomas Allen, Freshman, Guard, 3.3 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.7 (213th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.7 (83, 10)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.3 (254, 11)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.3 (77, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.1 (238, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (180, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.7 (155, 7)
Rebound Margin: -1.5 (259, 14)
Assists Per Game: 13.6 (177, 12)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.2 (31, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Baylor
2011 NIT First Round loss to Wichita State
2009 NIT First Round loss to New Mexico
2008 NIT First Round win over Charlotte
2008 NIT Second Round loss to Mississippi
2006 NIT First Round loss to Hofstra
2004 NIT First Round win over Niagara
2004 NIT Second Round loss to Hawaii
*all team stats through 3/4
