Nebraska Basketball: Reeling Huskers Look To Illinois

After a demoralizing 88-72 defeat at the hands of Michigan State, Nebraska basketball (12-15, 6-9) looks to get back in the win column against Illinois (16-12, 6-9).

A matchup in Lincoln, the Big Red has a good chance to earn a victory. In order to do that, they still need some things need to fall into place.

What The Huskers Can’t Do Against Illinois

Needless to say, Nebraska can’t perform the way they did against the Spartans. The Huskers were within two points with just under five minutes left in the first half. However, they turned that small deficit into an insurmountable lead.

Sparty would put on a run that would have them go up 49-31 after the first 20 minutes was over and that’s when the game was all but decided

In order to avoid such embarrassment against the Illini, Nebraska will have to avoid scoring droughts like they did against Michigan State (See: the 21-5 run heading into halftime).

Another problem for the Huskers last time out was their allowance of second chance opportunities. The Spartans were able to convert on 18 second chance shots. The Huskers converted a measly three. That won’t do against the Illini.

What The Huskers Must Do Against Illinois

After suffering their worst loss to Michigan State in the Tim Miles Era, the Huskers should have a sour taste in their mouths. With Ed Morrow back in the lineup, Nebraska usually plays with some added fire. Nebraska’s leader in rebounds has been a force with just over nine per game.

The Huskers are going to need him to do what he does best against Illinois to pull off the victory.

Nebraska must capitalize on opportunities in the paint, something they failed to do in a big way against the Spartans. The Big Red was outscored by Michigan State 42-28 down low.

In addition, it was once again a struggle for the Huskers from downtown. Nebraska went 5-of-21 from beyond the arc. Couple that with their lack of an inside game and they were dead in the water. Look for the Huskers to get the ball inside more against Illinois, with that in-turn opening up some better looks from three-point range.

We all know Tai Webster will show up as he scored 19 points against Michigan State. Now if the rest of the Huskers can follow his lead in scoring they’ll earn another “W.”

What The Game Means For Both Teams

This matchup is a big game for both the Huskers and the Illini. Illinois comes into the game near the bottom of the Big Ten standings as does Nebraska. The Huskers are tied for ninth with Penn State, although they did beat them on Valentine’s Day which gives the Huskers a tiebreaker.

However, the Illini aren’t a team on the decline. They’re on a two-game win streak. One was a hard fought victory against Iowa, 70-66 and another was a dismantling of Northwestern, 66-50. Huskers beware.

One of the Illini’s most outspoken players, sophomore Leron Black led the team against Northwestern. He lit the fire under Illinois scoring 11 points along with securing eight rebounds in the Illini’s victorious outing.

Other Illini players to watch freshman phenom Te’Jon Lucas, leading scorer Malcolm Hill and another freshman playmaker in Kipper Nichols.

Each has been instrumental in the team winning three of their last four games and creating a sense of enthusiasm in head coach John Groce’s fifth season. It hasn’t been easy for the coach with 32 postseason appearances, but a strong finish could create some buzz around Illinois’s campus.