Game Day Essentials: Game #32 vs Baylor

Baylor Info

Head Coach: Scott Drew

Location: Waco, Texax

Conference: B1G 12

Nickname: Bears

Mascot: Judge

Last time out: Lost to Iowa St

Typical Rotation Depth: 8 players

Tempo: Slow Roll

Style: Love the three, like the FT line, and at least 5 alley-oop attempts

Line: Baylor by 4

Shirt not to wear: Green, Gold, 90s neon gear, especially Hypercolor or Zubaz,

Possible Starters

Huskers

0 Tai Webster 6-4 194 Fr

2 David Rivers 6-7 198 Jr

5 Terran Petteway 6-6 209 So

31 Shavon Shields 6-7 219 So

35 Walter Pitchford 6-10 234 So

Hoosiers

1 Kenny Chery 5-11 180 Jr

5 Brady Heslip 6-2 180 Sr

0 Royce O'Neale 6-6 220 Jr

21 Isaiah Austin 7-1 225 So

34 Cory Jefferson 6-9 220 Sr

The Skinny

Has it really been since 1998? We all had a feeling that Tim Miles was going to be the answer but only the eternally optimistic believed it would be this soon. The Huskers bowed out early in the B1G tournament, blowing a large 18 point lead to Ohio St. Perhaps lessons learned and fresh legs can be applied towards Baylor.

Scott Drew and Baylor run various zone defenses that works well with the length they typically recruit. They don't turn you over...they simply want to make you work and settle for 3s, which isn't Nebraska's game. Look for Shavon Shields to establish himself in the high post and for Terran to not be afraid to drive against the length of Baylor. The corner will be open against this zone...who will be out there to knock down shots when we need them? Baylor's zone and desire to fast break will give opportunities for offensive rebounds. The Huskers will bail to start the game but may crash the offensive boards if desperate.

Baylor has a lot of weapons on offensive including future NBA players Cory Jefferson, and Isaiah Austin, 3pt machine Brady Heslip, and microwave Royce O'Neale. However, the key to the Baylor half court offense is Kenny Chery. The Huskers are going to treat him much like Yogi Ferrell of Indiana and attempt to slow him from driving to set up the big men. Also look for the Huskers to put some height on Heslip starting with David Rivers.

If the Huskers can limit Baylor's transition buckets it wouldn't be shocking if they could hold the Bears under 60 points. The key for the offense will be no unforced turnovers plus patience against a zone that will have holes.

The book on Drew is that he can bring in players but isn't a great in-game coach. Let's see if Miles and Co. can pull the strings at the end of what should be a close game.

Prediction: Nebraska 68 - Baylor 63