Nebraska Basketball: 3 keys to Cornhuskers beat Creighton Bluejays

Transition

This could change the game both on the offense and defensive end of the floor. Creighton loves to get out in transition and when they are able to run a successful transition offense they are very hard to beat. The Huskers and coach Fred Hoiberg are also a team who has been good in transition this season both on the offensive and defensive end. The winner of this game is very well the team who can handle transition opportunities the best.

Last year the Huskers had a great gameplan. The Huskers slowed the pace and ran a ball control offense in the half court. After a missed shot the Huskers raced back to the defensive end of the court and limited the times Creighton was able to get out in transition for easy baskets at the rim. The Bluejays love to play fast and there have been too many times in this rivalry where Nebraska has tried to match the pace of Creighton. That has proven to be a fool’s errand because Creighton is built to run and they love to get wide open threes in transition before the defense is even set up. If that happens it is going to be a death nail for the Huskers.

I look for the Husker coaching staff to do a lot of the same this season as last season. Heading into the game last year Nebraska was talent deficient and had to dictate their pace in order to have a chance. Nebraska did that by utilizing the pick and roll with Derrick Walker and Sam Griesel and slowed the pace way down. Coach Hoiberg knew that the team last year was not able to compete in a shootout so they had to figure out a way to get back in transition. Coach Hoiberg decided to not try for offensive rebounds and was content with one and done on the offensive end for as long as it would slow Creighton down. It did work and Nebraska dominated the game a season ago in Omaha.

This season the 7-0 Huskers run at a much faster tempo and over the last three weeks the offense has been running like a well oiled machine. Nebraska has been moving the ball while playing fast and has not turned the ball over much. Not turning the ball over is a crucial part of stopping the transition opportunities. Jamarques Lawrence is going to be tasked with putting a lot of pressure on Creighton on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor.

The Huskers point guard has not turned the ball over in the last two games. He is also the leader of the defense and will be tasked with shutting down the transition offense for the Bluejays. Stopping transition opportunities is going to be key for both teams but crucial for Nebraska to have a chance to win the game. The Huskers are one of the top offensive teams in the country but getting into a shootout with Creighton is not a good idea. Slow the pace and see what happens just like last season.