They average 82 points and 44 rebounds per game, and their defense recently held last season’s Big Ten Player of the Year to just 10 points, 4-14 from the field, in a glorious win over 8th nationally ranked Michigan. The Nebraska Cornhuskers are a now a top 30 team and will be looking to add to their resume when they visit Assembly Hall tomorrow evening and lock up against the 6th ranked Indiana Hoosiers at 6pm.
“[Nebraska] is a really, really good team,” said Indiana University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Teri Moren, intensely exclaiming due praise for this year’s Cornhuskers. “They’re playing harder,” she answered when asked about Nebraska’s success this season, compared to the recent past. “And Jaz Shelley has been a nice addition for them,” she added.
Nebraska is 13-2 this season, 2-2 against Big Ten competition. Led by Australian-born Sophomore Guard Jaz Shelley, who has had four double-doubles and a triple-double so far this season, the Cornhuskers shoot 46% from the field, 36% from behind the arc, and 72% from the line. They also out-rebound their opponents by a margin of more than 8.
So, what will Indiana need to do in order to maintain their winning streak? According to Coach Moren, IU will need to seriously contest Nebraska’s perimeter offense, and be aggressive on the defensive boards.
“Our ability to protect the 3-point line will be crucial,” Coach Moren said during the pre-game press conference. “High-volume threes can be dangerous if they’re going down.” Coach said that every Nebraska player has the green light to, “let the 3’s fly.” The Cornhuskers have attempted 360 long balls this season, knocking down 263 of them.
Moren also discussed the need to limit second chance opportunities as an important factor in holding off Nebraska’s offense.
“Anything from beyond the arc, really will result in a long rebound,” Coach explained. Part of the game plan for Thursday is to limit second and third shot opportunities. “Like we always say, we have to gang rebound . . . allow teams [just] one shot.”
Indiana employs strong rebounding Guards. The starting trio of Graduate Ali Patberg, Graduate Nicole Cardano-Hilary, and Senior Grace Berger are veterans on the court and extremely strong on defense. They combine for 14 rebounds per game and will be up for the challenge that lays ahead of them.
This season should be an indication of Indiana’s commitment to prepare and ability to implement their game plans. Even in their 2 losses this season, IU showed strength, dictating the style of basketball that would be played. Falling short does not seem to be a trait to which this team is willing to submit. They have played some of their best ball over the past several weeks and are coming off of a well-deserved 8 days off since their 76-53 win over Wisconsin, on the road.
Indiana is 4-0 in the Big Ten, and in sole first place in the conference. A win against Nebraska will provide excellent momentum to fuel their next 2 weeks, which include games against Purdue, Michigan State, Iowa, and Illinois.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6pm at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and the game will be televised on BTN.
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