WBB: Game #12 @ Minnesota

[Row6Seat10]

#12 Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-1) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-1)

Monday, Dec. 29, 8 p.m.
Williams Arena
 

Social Media:   @HuskersWBB  Nebraska Women's Basketball  Instagram

Television: BTN -  Play-by-Play: Eric Collins | Analyst: Brenda VanLengen
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network -  Play-by-Play-Matt Coatney, Analyst-Jeff Griesch

KBBK-FM 107.3-Lincoln; KFFF-FM 93.3-Omaha; KBRB-AM 1400-Ainsworth; KLIQ-FM 94.5-Hastings; KHAQ-FM 98.5-North Platte; KNEB-FM 94.1-Scottsbluff; KSID-AM 1340-Sidney.
Free Live Audio: Huskers.com

 

 

Huskers Open Big Ten Play at Minnesota Monday
The No. 12 Nebraska women’s basketball team opens Big Ten Conference play on the road when the Huskers take on Minnesota Monday night.

 

Tip-off between the Huskers and the Golden Gophers is set for 8 p.m. at Williams Arena.

 

The Huskers finished off one of the best non-conference seasons in school history with an 83-57 win over defending Big South regular-season champion High Point. The victory pushed Nebraska’s record to 10-1, matching the second-best 11-game start in school history.

 

The Huskers ended non-conference play as one of four Big Ten teams with 10 or more wins and owned the conference’s best NCAA RPI at No. 7. The Big Ten is the No. 1 RPI conference in the nation.

 

Minnesota posted an even better non-conference mark than the Huskers, rolling to an 11-1 record with its lone loss coming in a setback at Vanderbilt. The Golden Gophers ended non-conference play as the Big Ten’s only 11-win team and were ranked No. 37 in the official NCAA RPI.

 

Athough the Gophers lost just once, they did suffer a huge setback with a season-ending knee injury to preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Rachel Banham.

 

First year Head Coach Marlene Stollings brings the Gophers into her first Big Ten season riding a seven-game winning streak since dropping a 71-54 decision at Vanderbilt. Minnesota has shown toughness by winning close games, including a 72-69 win against Georgia Tech, and a 60-55 win at NC State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

 

Nebraska leads the all-time series with Minnesota 10-6, including four consecutive wins.

 

Probable Starters:

Nebraska Cornhuskers
3 - Hailie Sample - 6-1 - Sr. - F - 7.4 ppg
23 - Emily Cady - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 13.6
1 - Tear’a Laudermill - 5-9 - Sr. - G - 12.4
13 - Brandi Jeffery - 5-7 - Sr. - G - 8.5
33 - Rachel Theriot - 6-0 - Jr. - G - 18.3

 

Minnesota Golden Gophers
23 - Shae Kelley - 6-1 - Sr. - F - 16.0
32 - Amanda Zahui B. - 6-5 - So. - C - 15.6
3 - Shayne Mullaney - 5-10 - Jr. - G - 3.2
24 - Mikayla Bailey - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 6.8
33 - Carlie Wagner - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 9.1

 

• Nebraska is 3-0 all-time in Big Ten Conference openers.

 

• Nebraska’s Dec. 29 tip for conference play marks the earliest start date for a conference game in school history.

 

• Emily Cady crossed the 1,200-point plateau in career scoring against High Point Dec. 20. Cady ranks 17th on Nebraska’s career scoring list with 1,204 points.

 

• Rachel Theriot has produced double figures in 10 of NU’s first 11 games this season, averaging 18.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

 

• Natalie Romeo is a game time decision and could see some time in against the Gophers.

 

GAME NOTES:

[Tinpanalley]

Anyone know if Cady is able to practice with the team?

[Row6Seat10]

Most likely a game time decision. We probably won't know or hear much until then.

[Tinpanalley]

Thanks, RS. If Cady and Natalie are not available, that leaves us with 7 players for the game. Game planning for us will be interesting. For them, it will be run, run, run.

[Row6Seat10]

Here's an article from the World Herald in which they touch on a number of things including injuries, what they learned in the nonconference and a quick look ahead toward conference play.

 

Shorthanded Nebraska leads strong league

 

 

Three more factors in the nonconference portion of Nebraska’s season:

1. Theriot taking over:

2. Strong defense and even better defensive rebounding:

3. Havers growing into role:

[Bugeaters1]

Thanks, RS. If Cady and Natalie are not available, that leaves us with 7 players for the game. Game planning for us will be interesting. For them, it will be run, run, run.

The last game that Romeo played in was the Utah game on 11/23 so it has been over a month and I thought I heard Jeff Greisch say that she was close to being ready during the UC Bakersfield game which was on 12/13. But that the training staff was being cautious with her. And as for Cady she has had almost two weeks off and as long as she wouldn't fall on her tailbone wouldn't you think she could play? I'm just going from the memory I have of that injury having had one in high school.

[huskerchode]

Wondering if a cortisone injection and a toradol injection 20 minutes before game time might help a bruised tail bone.

[huskerchode]

And maybe some extra padding under the uniform just in case she falls again.

[Tinpanalley]

According LSJ article, Connie stated Cady has been practicing but is not 100%. Seven players will be suited for the game. The five starters, Havers and Wood.

[huskerchode]

What about Esther?

[cyinne]

I believe there is a bout of the stomach flu that is going around right now and has bit the team.  Thank goodness the most important ones are still healthy.... for now...

[huskerchode]

Looks like Zahui B. travels about every time she gets the ball.

[Bugeaters1]

Looks like Zahui B. travels about every time she gets the ball.

And fouls a lot also.

[Tinpanalley]

Huskers played great in the first half, leading 39 - 26. Emily has 12 points and 8 boards. Injured tailbone does not seem to be bothering her. Brandi has 9 boards. Rachel has 12 points with 5 assists. NU out rebounding Minn 32 - 20 - unbelievable. All seven available players played.

[Bugeaters1]

I wish Wood would get a shot and make it to give her some confidence.

[Bugeaters1]

Huskers played great in the first half, leading 39 - 26. Emily has 12 points and 8 boards. Injured tailbone does not seem to be bothering her. Brandi has 9 boards. Rachel has 12 points with 5 assists. NU out rebounding Minn 32 - 20 - unbelievable. All seven available players played.

And the Huskers had Minny running in mud the last 3 minutes.

[huskerchode]

I'm sensing some homer refs here in the second half.

[huskerchode]

Zahui B. slaps, shoves, walks, but Theriot gets called for traveling and Sample gets called for a foul where she never touched anyone.

[Tinpanalley]

Emily has a double double.

[Bugeaters1]

I'm sensing some homer refs here in the second half.

I was just going to say how do you only foul twice in a half then get 5 in the first 4 minutes in the second half.

[HB]

I'm sensing some homer refs here in the second half.

 

No kidding.  Called nothing inside the first half and now a bunch of touch or phantom calls on us.

[HB]

Nice missed travel.  I'm starting to get pissed

[HB]

glad I bitched; they're shaping up

[Bugeaters1]

These big 10 teams should know by now that the Huskers won't back down from physical play.

[Bugeaters1]

47 to 31 in rebounds