Nebraska Cornhuskers
Big Ten (23-8, 14-2)
Nebraska is built around Jordan Hooper and Lindsay Moore. Hooper, a 6-2 junior, has the size of a forward and the skills of guard. She knocks down 2.4 three-pointers per contest and is a dangerous scorer inside the arc as well. She can shoot over smaller defenders or simply go around slower defenders. That versatility is why she averages 18.0 points per game. Moore is the catalyst of the offense and dishes out 5.5 assists per contest. She may not shoot as much as Hooper, but Moore is very efficient from inside and outside the arc. With those two leading the way, the Cornhuskers are tough to defend.
Big Wins: 12/8 Florida State (78-77), 1/24 Michigan State (59-54), 2/21 at Michigan (57-39)
Bad Losses: 11/18 at South Dakota State (55-60), 12/5 at Creighton (57-66), 1/17 Illinois (52-62)
Coach: Connie Yori
Why They Can Surprise:
Hooper and Moore garner most of the attention, and rightfully so, but the rest of the team deserves credit for Nebraska’s success as well. Sophomore Emily Cady has turned into the third scoring option on the team and that has been huge. The 6-2 forward, like Hooper, can step outside and make some long balls, but Cady will spend most of her time in the paint. Rachel Theriot and Brandi Jeffery are both young guards who are capable of sparking the offense. Tear’a Laudermill has been inconsistent with her shot, but the sophomore does play fine defense. Hailie Sample and Meghin Williams rarely do much in the scoring department, but they have helped Hooper and Cady on the glass.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Cornhuskers have size, but they do not have a shot blocking presence in the paint. As a result the defense leaves something to be desired. The opposition shoots nearly 40 percent from the floor and over 31 percent from beyond the arc. Nebraska is not a high risk, high reward defense, so those numbers should be better. This is not a team that can allow their NCAA Tournament opponent to knock down that many shots. If they do, it could be another first round exit.
Probable Starters:
Lindsey Moore, Senior, Guard, 15.1 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.4 rpg
Rachel Theriot, Freshman, Guard, 6.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.8 rpg
Jordan Hooper, Junior, Forward, 18.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg
Hailie Sample, Sophomore, Forward, 4.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Emily Cady, Sophomore, Forward, 9.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Brandi Jeffery, Sophomore, Guard, 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Tear’a Laudermill, Sophomore, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Meghin Williams, Senior, Forward, 2.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.1 (78th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.4 (100, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.0 (114, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.8 (180, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.3 (59, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.2 (122, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.1 (32, 5)
Rebound Margin: 3.3 (90, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.9 (56, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.2 (38, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Kansas
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Northern Iowa
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over UCLA
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Kentucky
2009 NIT Second Round loss to New Mexico
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Xavier
2008 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Maryland
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Temple
*all team stats through 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
