Nebraska basketball beat Ohio State 79-71 on Saturday. I could argue it was their biggest win to date. Not because it was the latest, but because the metrics love Ohio State (NET 26) and Nebraska needed to prove it could continue its turnaround against another bubble team.
Could the last month have been more Jekyl and Hyde for Nebraska basketball? On January 7, Nebraska blew a 15-point lead at Iowa, losing in overtime. I wrote about what they needed to do to have a successful season after the gut-wrenching loss. Five more losses followed. The season seemed...over.
Most of us, let's admit it, were panicking. And then Nebraska basketball has since won four in a row beating Illinois, Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State. Unreal.
For those who aren't counting that's:
- Two wins against ranked teams
- Two conference road wins
- Three Quad 1 wins
Just about 12 or so days ago, many of us wondered if Nebraska would even make the conference tournament. Now, they are solidly in the field of 64.
Most bracketologists have Nebraska as a 10 or 11 seed. I would suspect the win over Ohio State firmly puts them at the 10-line. Would getting to 20 wins bump them up to a 9 seed? What would a run in the conference tournament do for seeding?
It's fun to dream again, right?
Three things I loved about Nebraska basketball's victory over Oho State
Not only was the win against Ohio State one of the bigger wins of the season. It was one of the most impressive. Here's why:
It wasn't Nebraska's best game defensively but they made the plays they needed to make.
Ohio State had a couple of hot shooters in Mobley and Parrish, but they didn't let Buckeye star Bruce Thornton beat them. In a way, Nebraska had to pick their poison. And they picked right. The Huskers only turned OSU over 6 teams and let the Buckeyes shoot 40% from 3-point range. But they did enough in key moments to keep Ohio State to eight points below their season average--like Andrew Morgan's diving steal which led to Nebraska taking the lead. It's plays like that define this defense, and they'll need more of those down the stretch.
Nebraska didn't get rattled when they were down
The Huskers handled some significant adversity in this game. They were in big-time foul trouble in the first half with more than a few questionable calls. OSU freshman John Mobley Jr. could not miss from 3. And Nebraska's point guard play from Rollie Worster and Aaron Uhlis was just off all day--so much so that Brice Williams eventually took over the point. Nebraska could have easily folded when they gave up a run and went down five at halftime. But they didn't quit. That's the mark of a mature team.
Alpha Brice took over when it mattered most.
Williams had a terrific first half, but they sputtered in the second half. Ohio State did a good job forcing the ball out of his hands. At one point more than halfway through the second, Williams had only taken one shot. But then he turned it on and took the game over. Nebraska would not have won that game without Alpha Brice showing up, showing off, and simply dominating. Nebraska needs that down the stretch if they want to go on a run in March.
Three questions for the last few weeks of the Husker season
Can Brice Williams keep up his all-Big Ten pace?
In the Huskers' four-game win streak Williams has averaged 25.5 points per game. He's been able to take over games, get to the free throw line when the Huskers need to, and he's playing with focus and intensity on the defensive end. As Brice goes, so goes Nebraska. Is Alpha Brice here to stay?
How long will Berke be out?
Sophomore Berke Büyüktuncel twisted his ankle with under a minute to go against Ohio State. In his postgame interview with Husker Sports Network, coach Fred Hoiberg said it didn't seem good for Berke, who had his best game as a Husker with 15 points, including 3-6 from deep to go with 6 rebounds. He's a spark on the floor (when he doesn't lose focus). Missing him wouldn't be catastrophic, but it means Morgan, Braxton Meah, and potentially Cale Jacobson will have to pick up the slack.
Does PBA have a bit more magic left this season?
Nebraska's two toughest remaining games are this Thursday night against #18 Maryland and then on February 24 against #24 Michigan. Can Husker fans be a sixth man yet again and help make things a bit more uncomfortable for the guests? Nebraska played Maryland tough on the road (and should have won). Michigan has had a good season but isn't unbeatable. Both wins would do wonders for Nebraska basketball's resume. If PBA has any magic left, it's time to find it and use every last bit in these last three weeks.