Nebraska Cornhuskers
Overall Rank: #13
Conference Rank: #1 Big Ten
Nebraska Team Page
Nebraska is enjoying one of the best stretches of basketball success in school history. Last year, the Huskers made their second-ever Sweet 16, also their second in four years. Nebraska brings back a lot of experience this year, as four of last year's starters return and four other letter winners also come back. In their two years of Big Ten play, the Huskers have compiled a 22-10 record and finished second last season with a 12-4 record.
2012-13 Record: 25-9, 12-4
2012-13 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Connie Yori
Coach Record: 215-135 at Nebraska, 410-275 overall
Strengths:
Other than the four starters returning, the Huskers return a lot of size. None of those four starters is less than 6-0 and that includes guard Rachel Theriot. Senior forward Jordan Hooper, who stands 6-2, led the team in scoring last season, knocking in 17.9 ppg, grabbing 8.8 rpg and averaging over a steal a game. Emily Cady, another 6'2 forward, was third on the squad, averaging 9.2 ppg and also grabbing 4.6 boards per contest. Theriot, a sophomore, will take over the point guard duties after she averaged just over six points per game and three assists a contest. The final starter is 6-1 junior forward Hailie Sample, who averaged 4.8 ppg and 4.6 rpg. So of the four starters, three are upperclassmen and three of the reserves, Tear'a Laudermill (5-9 junior guard, 5.9 ppg), Brandi Jeffery (six starts, 5-7 junior guard, 3.5 ppg) and Katie Simon (6-2 junior forward), are also upperclassmen.
Weaknesses:
While the Huskers do bring back a nice nucleus, they lose Lindsey Moore, who was a WNBA first-round draft pick. Last year Moore averaged 15.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.7 apg and 1.8 spg. So with the loss of its starting point guard, Nebraska will have to look for Theriot to take over that role. One of the aforementioned players will have to step up their scoring as well, as 15.1 ppg is a good amount to replace. The Huskers also lost three other players, but of the three, only Meghin Williams saw significant playing time.
Final Projection:
The Huskers will most likely be the class of the Big Ten and will rely on its dominant size in the frontcourt as they look to make it past the Sweet 16 this season. The team does have games against UCLA, North Carolina, Alabama, Utah, Creighton, Washington State and Oral Roberts, to help it prepare for conference play. Luckily for Nebraska, 12 of its first 14 games are at home, with the only away contests being at Utah and at North Carolina. If the Huskers do manage to make it past the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, they will have a chance to possibly play at home, as Nebraska has been selected as one of the four hosts. As if the Huskers needed more size, the team welcomes 6-'5 forward/center Allie Havers to campus. The freshman was the No. 76 player in the nation by Blue Star Basketball.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Rachel Theriot, Sophomore, Guard, 6.2 ppg, 3.0 apg
Brandi Jeffert, Junior, Guard, 3.5 points per game
Jordan Hooper, Senior, Forward, 17.9 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game
Emily Cady, Junior, Forward, 9.2 points per game
Hailie Sample, Junior, Forward, 4.8 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.0 (72nd in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.0 (102, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.3 (101, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.9 (182, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.3 (58, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.3 (119, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.5 (25, 5)
Rebound Margin: 3.6 (77, 4)
Assists Per Game: 15.0 (48, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.2 (45, 3)
Madness 2014 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#13 Jordan Hooper
Madness 2013 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#104 Hannah Tvrdy
See All Top 44 Women’s Basketball Previews
