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Men’s Nebraska Basketball vs. No. 3 Kansas Preview

By Evan Hummel

Dec 7, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Tai Webster (0) and Creighton Bluejays guard Isaiah Zeiden (21) fight for the loose ball in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Creighton won 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Tai Webster (0) and Creighton Bluejays guard Isaiah Zeiden (21) fight for the loose ball in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Creighton won 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The men’s Nebraska basketball game against No. 3 Kansas will mark the 242nd meeting between the two schools. The series has been surprisingly close, dating back over 100 years.

Series History

Another game, another tough test for the men’s Nebraska basketball team. This time the foe is an all too familiar one in the Kansas Jayhawks, members of the Big 12 conference.

The series dates back to 1900 following the teams through the Missouri Valley, Big Six, Big Eight and Big 12 conferences. It has been surprisingly close with Kansas leading Nebraska by just a single win, 171-170.

This Saturday’s game is part of a two-year agreement between the schools. The Jayhawks will travel to Pinnacle Bank Arena on Dec. 16, 2017 to repay the favor of Nebraska basketball’s visit.

No Easy Task

Kansas (8-1) comes into the contest as the No. 3 team in the country led by senior Frank Mason who is averaging 20.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. The Jayhawks are red-hot from three-point range in their last four games, shooting 56.3 percent from beyond the arc. Mason has been the hottest, going 14-of-18 from downtown over that span.

If Nebraska wants to slow these Jayhawks down, look for them to defend the perimeter. It won’t be easy considering Kansas just set a school record for three-pointers at Allen Fieldhouse, draining 15 against UMKC.

A Tough Stretch And Major Opportunity

Nebraska (5-4) has had a tough schedule thus far, but the Jayhawks will be their toughest test to date. A major upset would do wonders for the Huskers’ resumé as after a tough loss to in-state rival Creighton, Nebraska is looking for some manner of redemption.

Two Bright Spots For The Big Red

Leading scorer Tai Webster (17.2 points per game) scored 20 in a 15-point loss to Creighton last Wednesday. Webster has also been on fire from the free-throw line, draining one more free throw (41) than the next three Huskers on the stat sheet combined.

nebraska basketball tai webster
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Another player who has been a force for the Huskers is sophomore Ed Morrow. Morrow is averaging 10.1 points per game and a team-high 8.1 rebounds. He produced a season-high 13 against Creighton. He’s also averaging 10.3 over the last three tilts.

What the Huskers Need to Do to Pull the Upset

Nebraska has held its last five opponents to at least 14 points below their scoring average. That includes Creighton which was averaging over 90 per game.

However, the Big Red has failed to take advantage of the opposition’s lack of offense, shooting a subpar 35.6 percent from the field during their 1-4 stretch. The Cornhuskers will have to be a much better shooting team if they want to have any chance against this Kansas squad.

It’s a tall task, especially in one of the most raucous environments in college basketball.

Kansas just delivered Bill Self’s 600th win last week and did so in decisive fashion. The Jayhawks are coming off their largest margin of victory for the season, extending its Division 1-best 47-game home win streak. Can the Huskers pull off the seemingly impossible? There’s only one way to find out.

TV:  2:15 p.m. CT, ESPN

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