Hoops Game Day: Nebraska at Michigan State

Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-8, -5) vs Michigan Condition Spartans (8-7, two-7)

Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 – 5:thirty p.m. CT

Breslin Middle

Television set: BTN

Radio: Husker Athletics Community

Internet: FOX Athletics Application

one. Knock the rust off

It really is been 28 days because Nebraska past took the court for a video game, and the greater part of that time off was used with players performing definitely very little basketball-related though in COVID-19 quarantine.

As a consequence, there is a probably likelihood that the Huskers will be exceptionally rusty when they lastly return to action tonight.

Not only with head coach Fred Hoiberg have to manage minutes and workload with players who have held just five techniques because Jan. ten, but he’ll also have to find means to get his team back again in some rhythm right after a month-extensive break.

The Huskers will want to choose their places a little bit when it will come to pushing the pace offensively, and they’re going to also have to make certain to test and sluggish down an MSU team that likes to run as much as any individual.

There is no telling what to anticipate from Nebraska tonight, but it is really a risk-free guess that it will consider some time to get back again to playing Big Ten stage ball.

two. Regulate the defensive glass

While Nebraska would like to be a minor extra selective about when to engage in with tempo to help save players’ legs, belongings off defensive rebounds will be 1 problem wherever Hoiberg would like to run as much as possible.

But the importance of managing the defensive glass goes nicely beyond sparking transition offense.

The Huskers did an excellent task in the initial 50 % of their initial assembly with Michigan Condition by limiting the Spartans to just 1 offensive rebound. On the other hand, in the 2nd 50 %, MSU changed the game titles with eight offensive boards and concluded with 14 2nd-likelihood points in an 84-seventy seven earn.

Nebraska needs to stop belongings and spark its offense off Michigan Condition misses. It are unable to afford to expend unnecessary electricity on defense by recognizing the Spartans with several photographs.

3. Get care of the basketball

As Nebraska operates to get back its midseason sort, it will be essential that it boundaries turnovers caused by currently being out of sync right after its layoff.

Even right before they had to set their season on pause, the Huskers turned the ball above eighteen occasions in their loss to Michigan Condition on Jan. two. These resulted in sixteen MSU points in a 7-issue defeat.

The Spartans are a team that thrives off making transition offense by making turnovers, and if NU has any hopes of managing the game’s tempo, it are unable to give away fastbreak points from sloppy ball protection.

Michigan Condition (-twelve) seventy three, Nebraska 60

Robin’s season file: ten-two

vs. the distribute: 8-4