Nebraska Basketball: How The Huskers Can Get Back On Track Against Gardner-Webb
By Evan Hummel
After losing four of their last five games, this Nebraska basketball crew looks to finally tally another win against Gardner-Webb. Here’s what to know about who the Huskers are hosting.
They’re Relatively New To The Scene
The Bulldogs are out of Boiling Springs, NC and have only been a member of Division 1 for 15 seasons. During that time, they have compiled a 199-248 record (.445 winning percentage). So yeah, not a historical powerhouse.
Not-so-Sweet Members of the South
Gardner-Webb is a current member of the Big South conference and a former member of the Atlantic Sun. Between the two conferences, the school has one conference championship, but no NCAA tournament appearances.
Coaches
During their 15-year history at the Division 1 level, the Bulldogs have had three head coaches, their current being Tim Craft. He’s gone 60-51 over his four-year tenure.
Identical Records
Nebraska and Gardner-Webb come in both sporting 5-5 records. The Huskers come fresh off of an 89-72 blowout loss to No. 3 Kansas while the Running Bulldogs’ hands are on their hips following a three-point loss to Furman. Both teams clearly need a win badly.
Players To Watch
This Nebraska basketball team is led by senior Tai Webster, who’s averaging a career-best 17.7 points per game over the first 10 games of the season. Look for Ed Morrow to handle the dirty work against an outmatched Gardner-Webb team. He leads the Huskers in rebounds, averaging eight per game.
These Running Bulldogs aren’t without talent, though. Sophomore Laquincy Rideau leads this young squad with just over 13 points per game. Senior Tyrell Nelson is their guy on the boards with 5.7 rebounds per game.
An Easy Win?
Alright, forgive me for saying this. All due respect, but this one should be a gimme for the Big Red. They’re at home facing a small school and they just got pummeled by Kansas. Tim Miles’ crew should be angry and ready to take it out on an inferior opponent.
However, if Gardner-Webb wants some hope, the Huskers haven’t made anything easy for themselves this season shooting an ugly 40.9 percent from the field. The Bulldogs have shot a substantially better percentage firing 47.3 percent.
They also average more points per game than Huskers (nearly 77 points per game compared to Nebraska’s 68.7). Gardner-Webb hasn’t had the schedule that Nebraska has, but you’ve got give them a little credit for taking on who they have. They’ve played Southern Methodist, Pittsburgh and the aforementioned Georgia. All of those games were losses with an average score of 83-61 in the opposition’s favor.
That being said, I’m willing to bet that Nebraska dishes out some much-needed punishment this weekend for its own morale.
Prediction
Nebraska plays stingy defense, shoots slightly better than they have all year and brings home the victory.
Nebraska 84 Gardner-Webb 62
Where to Catch The Action
1 p.m. CT, ESPNU