3. Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-1)
Previous rank: 4
Nebraska was really hoping that they weren’t going to fall into the same narrative as Minnesota and Northwestern from last season. Both had very high expectations and both ended with disappointing seasons. Nebraska picked up a big win over Seton Hall in the Gavitt Games. They made the Hall of Fame Classic Championship and fell pretty big to Texas Tech.
The Cornhuskers responded in the best way possible. They went on the road in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and defeated a sweet 16 team from last year in Clemson. Nebraska finally got its quality road win. It was a two-point, hard-fought victory that stayed in the 60’s. Their big three all went into double-digits. James Palmer Jr. dropped 20 points with nine rebounds. Isaac Copeland scored 16 to go along with six boards. Glynn Watson added 12 with two assists.
Nebraska didn’t have a hangover of any sorts. They responded with a 15-point win over Illinois. The three guys did it again. All of them went over 14 points. Watson was supposed to be the lead point guard, but all three have been putting up nice assist numbers. That shows unselfish play and willing to make the extra pass.
Their defense also ranks fourth in the country at just 54.5 points allowed per game. Nebraska doesn’t need much major scoring outside of Watson, Copeland and Palmer because the other guys contribute nicely on the defensive end. Isaiah Roby is a solid shot blocker and Thomas Allen is a scrappy defender. I believe Nebraska is here to stay in the top-five.