Nebraska Basketball: Huskers Look To Tame Nittany Lions

Coming off a one-point overtime loss to No. 7 Wisconsin, Nebraska basketball returns to Pinnacle Bank Arena to face Penn State.

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Despite the game being on Valentines Day, don’t expect too much love to be in the air between these two teams. The Huskers aren’t feeling too sweet after losing three straight.

Here’s how the Big Red can get back in the win column:

Fresh off of a 70-69 overtime defeat at the hands of Wisconsin, Nebraska (14-12, 4-8) must regroup in time to beat Penn State (14-12, 6-7). The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, are coming off of a dominant victory, upsetting Illinois 83-70 on the road.

It won’t be an easy game, but Nebraska played the Big Ten’s best team (Wisconsin) tough. They’ll figure to do the same against Penn State.

Turnovers Continue to Be the Big Red’s Achilles Heel

We’ve heard it 100 times before, the team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game. Well, the Huskers have been atrocious when it comes to taking care of the ball this season.

Turning it over 13 times per game, that’s good for 174th in the nation. They were even worse than their average against Wisconsin, turning it over 22 times against the Badgers.

That obviously won’t cut it, and it’s miraculous that the Huskers were going toe-to-toe with the No. 7 team in the country with such careless play.

Perhaps that speaks to Nebraska’s tenacity or the fact that Wisconsin played just as sloppy. I’ll let you be the judge. Regardless, Nebraska hung tough, giving a Top-10 team a scare.

Nebrasketball can’t turn the ball over that many times against Penn State and expect to win. Taking care of the ball has to be a top priority every time out.

Tai Webster Once Again Leads The Way

If there’s one guy that’s put this team on his back all season, it’s Webster. The senior guard once again led the Huskers against Wisconsin with a team-high 19 points. He’s played with so much passion this season, you know he wants to get another Big Ten win more than anybody.

In a winnable conference contest, there’s no doubt Webster will once again put on his best game face. The Huskers will need his best to get a “W.”

Ed Morrow’s Return a Game Changer

After returning from a foot injury, Sophomore Ed Morrow is back in the lineup. The Huskers’ top rebounder and inside threat, Morrow was missed down the stretch.

His return was a sight for sore eyes as Morrow led the team with 13 rebounds and logged 26 minutes of action against the Badgers. A main cog in the Husker defense, he’ll undoubtedly be a fixture if the Huskers notch another conference win.

A Star In Tony Carr

The Blue and White have quite the talent in Tony Carr. He continues to lead the team down the stretch and had 19 points along with three assists against Illinois. He’ll look to quiet the crowd at The Vault as the Nittany Lions look to get to .500 in Big Ten play.

Defense With A Bite

Penn State forced 14 turnovers against Illinois, helping the Nittany Lions to a 13-point victory over a solid Big Ten foe. They’ll look to do the same against a turnover-prone Husker team. Nebraska can ill afford to get behind in the turnover battle this time out.

Banking on Banks

Payton Banks scored a team-high and career-high in his last game tallying 24 points and helping Penn State improve to a three-game win streak against Illinois. That’s good for their longest stretch against the Illini since 1990.

Final Thoughts

This is a game between a team that turns the ball over a lot in Nebraska and a team that likes to force turnovers in Penn State.

If Nebraska can limit the sloppy play, hit some free-throws and shoot decently from the field, they should get that fifth Big Ten victory.