Nebraska Basketball: 3 keys to Cornhuskers beat Creighton Bluejays

Defense

Every time one of these articles is written about Nebraska and one of their games, Defense is going to need to be a key. Defense is something the coaching staff has been preaching and talking about as the constant. It is the one thing that Nebraska can control and over the first five games of the season the defense for the Huskers was one of the best in the country. The last two games the defense has left something to be desired and has led to many easy looks. The change in level of competition for Nebraska makes it crucial for them to lock back in on the defensive end of the floor.

The Huskers enter the game allowing 101.1 points per 100 possessions according to KenPom. Entering the game against Duquesne on December 22nd the Huskers were allowing 94.4 points per 100 possessions. It has not been good over the last two games and a lot of that is that Duquesne has arguably the best guards that Nebraska will face all season and Cal State Fullerton had a player get hot and go for 30 points. The Huskers have been slow on their rotations to get out to open shooters. The other thing that has suffered is the ability of Nebraska to rebound. Over the last two games they have been giving up a ton of offensive rebounds and allowing teams to get two or three looks on the offensive end.

The Huskers have gotten the initial stop but have struggled getting the rebounds and have given up baskets on the second look at the basket. Early on in the year Nebraska was dominating the glass and holding teams to a one look and done. The Huskers know how important it is for the defense and the rebounding to get back to where it was before the last two weeks. It has been a focal point of practice this week. Nebraska can change this game on the glass and on the defensive end. Hold Creighton to one shot and get out and set up your offense. The one thing that has remained constant is the Huskers ability to defend without fouling. Creighton doesn’t get to the line very often and this likely won’t be a factor.

One thing that I have noticed watching Creighton over the years is they do have a problem with teams who play physical with them and don’t foul. When the defense was playing very well for Nebraska they were physical and were especially physical underneath the basket. Rienk Mast, Josiah Allick and Juwan Gary are physical defenders who don’t foul.

The Huskers will need to continue to be physical, throw their weight around, and make the game uncomfortable in the paint. That is an advantage that Nebraska may have in this game. They don’t shy away from physicality and their big men embrace it. Creighton is a team that runs a lot on finesse and big man Ryan Kalkbrenner has shown that he gets uncomfortable with physical teams and especially physical big men. Physical defense without fouling and defensive rebounding will be huge in this game. Don’t allow anything easy at the rim Nebraska.