WBB: Game #5 @ UConn

[Row6Seat10]

Nebraska Cornhuskers(4-0)
@ Connecticut Huskies (2-0)

 

Saturday, Nov. 28, Noon
XL Center (Hartford CT)

 

Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (Matt Coatney, Jeff Griesch)

• KBBK 107.3 FM, Lincoln
• KKCD 105.9 FM, Omaha
• KHUB 1340 AM, Fremont
• KGFW 1340 AM, Kearney
• KRVN 880 AM, Lexington
• KSWN 93.9 FM, McCook
• KNCY 1600 AM/105.5 FM, Nebraska City
• KHAQ 98.5 FM, North Platte
• KNEB 94.1 FM,- Scottsbluff

Social Media: @HuskersWBB Nebraska Women's Basketball Instagram
Live Video Stream: ESPN3
Free Live Audio: Huskers.com

 

 

Huskers Travel to 10-Time NCAA Champion UConn

The Nebraska women’s basketball team hits the road for the first time this Saturday when the Huskers take on No. 1 UConn at the XL Center in Hartford. Tip-off between the Huskers and the Huskies is set for Noon central.

 

The Huskers will be making their first-ever appearance at the XL Center in Hartford, and just their second trip to UConn. The last time the Big Red faced the Huskies came in the 1997 Preseason WNIT Championship Game.

 

Since that game, Nebraska has made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a pair of NCAA Sweet Sixteens. UConn has won nine NCAA titles, including each of the last three. The Huskies have won 86 of their last 87 games dating back to the first round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

 

Jessica Shepard, a two-time Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week, leads the young Huskers to Hartford. The 6-4 forward from Fremont, Neb., is averaging 22.3 points and 9.8 rebounds through four games. She needs seven points to become the first freshman in NU history to reach 100 in just five games.

 

Coach Geno Auriemma brings another dominant UConn team into Saturday’s clash with Nebraska at the XL Center in Hartford. Auriemma, who has won better than 87 percent of his games in 31 seasons at UConn, will shoot for career win No. 920. As a team, UConn is averaging 98.5 points and shooting 53.6 percent from the field.

 

Two-time Naismith National Player of the Year Breanna Stewart leads UConn. The 6-4 forward is averaging 24.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in wins over No. 7 Ohio State (100-56) and Kansas State (97-57). She scored her 2,000th career point against the Wildcats on Monday.

 

Probable Starters:

 

Nebraska Cornhuskers
43 - Rachel Blackburn - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 5.8 ppg
32 - Jessica Shepard - 6-4 - Fr. - F - 23.3
4 - Kyndal Clark - 5-7 - RSr. - G - 4.0
5 - Natalie Romeo - 5-7 - So. - G - 17.8
33 - Rachel Theriot - 6-0 - Sr. - G - 8.8

 

Connecticut Huskies
30 - Breanna Stewart - 6-4 - Sr. - F - 24.5 ppg
3 - Morgan Tuck - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 15.0
4 - Moriah Jefferson - 5-7 - Sr. - G - 17.5
11 - Kia Nurse - 6-0 - So. - G - 12.5
15 - Gabby Williams - 5-11 - So. - G - 13.0

 

• Nebraska will make its first appearance at the XL Center in Hartford when the Huskers take on UConn.

 

• Jessica Shepard needs seven points to become the first Husker freshman in history to reach 100 points in just five games. No other Husker freshman has ever scored 100 in fewer than six games.

 

• Jessica Shepard’s next double-double will tie for fifth on the Husker freshman list with four. Only one Husker (Debra Powell) has ever produced more than five double-doubles as a freshman.

 

• Natalie Romeo’s career-high 30-point effort against Arkansas Pine Bluff marked the highest point total by a Husker in an opener in school history.

 

• Rachel Theriot is ranked No. 27 in career points at Nebraska with 1,058. She needs 11 points to catch Kate Galligan on NU’s all-time list.

 

• Kyndal Clark is expected to make her 103rd collegiate start on Saturday.

 

• Saturday’s game will mark Nebraska’s second trip to Connecticut to face the Huskies. The Huskers dropped a 71-61 decision at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs in 1997.
• While the date is not firmly set, the Huskers and Huskies are scheduled to meet at PBA in December of next year.

 

GAME NOTES:

 

Click here to view the article

[redsteve]

UConn plays good defense, by every player or they don't play for wonder coach. They play hard, but don't sub a lot.

 

I look for them to focus on our freshman Jess, and probably try shutting her down as their key. Try to hold her to 10 pts. maybe ?

If we can get scoring from our guards, we may keep fairly close. Maybe we can run a bit on them?

 

Looking froward to the game and will accept what ever happens knowing our girls will play hard too. Just hope we start fast.

[huskerchode]

We need to keep turnovers to a minimum.

[Row6Seat10]

With the strong competitive drive you find in each of the Huskers, just having the chance to play UConn should be motivation in itself. Knowing what they're going up against on Saturday, this week of practice will most likely be the most productive week in terms of concentration and preparation for the whole season. This game challenges them to play at their very best on every play. You know it's all eyes and ears trying to soak up every bit of information they can, to face them. I expect NU to be competitive and to gain a lot of confidence coming out of this game going forward.   

[Noah121]

I don't anticipate a Husker victory, but I think that even if we get blasted, that the final score will not be indicative of the competitiveness of the Huskers. (Sort of like the Maryland game in the 2007 NCAA tournament.)

[Row6Seat10]

Nebraska will have its hands full with the Huskies, though. As terrific a talent as Shepard may be, she will be facing Breanna Stewart, a daunting task even for teams with more experienced players. Shepard will get some points, she really is that good, but then she has to run down the court and defend Stewart. How long can a freshman do that against a senior that happens to be one of the best college players ever?

 

 

Check out the rest of this NU/U-Conn preview by clicking on the link below:

 

http://the-boneyard.com/blog/game-preview-uconn-women-vs-nebraska/

[hoop_head]

Thank-you for posting that link. Enjoyed the blog.

[Silverbacked1]

Nice level headed look at the Huskers. Very nice read.

[Cazzie22]

I'm not sure I'd put Jess on Stewart, let Blackburn and when Maddie Simon is in, try to defend her.  The little guard is the one who can cause a lot of problems, Jefferson.  View it as a learning experience.

[HUD]

I agree.  Jess trying to keep up with Stewart could increase an injury possibility especially as competitive as Jess is.

[redsteve]

I agree.  Jess trying to keep up with Stewart could increase an injury possibility especially as competitive as Jess is.

 

Don't see Stewart as a forward that plays only an inside game. She shoots from all over the floor, and fast breaks too.

Just me, but I wouldn't ask Jess to try and be Stewart's stopper....maybe in the paint, but that's about all.  Let it be a team effort.

 

Maybe Maddie as her shadow.

 

Let Jess, Rachel B, Havers and Kalenta try to dominate the paint.....and the guards the perimeter...both offensively, and defensively.

 

Like us ....Stewart's not their only scorer.  Neither us or them are one dimensional. But it will take a herculean effort for our defense.

 

Can't wait for tomorrow. Our girls will give them fits...hope our running game will cause issues for UConn.

[Row6Seat10]

I have to agree with Huskerchode.. "got to keep the turnovers in check". Limit the second chance points and make your free throws.

[cwshuskers]

If we keep the final score within 30 points, I think that would be a victory in and of itself. Seriously, I'd be very encouraged with this young team to keep it respectable.

[Bugeaters1]

It's game time!!!!!

[Bugeaters1]

Off to a good start

[Silverbacked1]

Up 3 at the 5:20 mark of first quarter.

[Bugeaters1]

hanging tuff.

[Bugeaters1]

19-14 end of 1

[huskerchode]

Now we are looking discombobulated.

[Tinpanalley]

Ouch.. We can't stop them and having problems scoring.

[huskerchode]

We need to keep Theriot on the floor. Our shooting has gone cold. I also think UConn has gotten away with some fouling and some loosy goosy feet moving.

[Silverbacked1]

Well when you are the best you get those calls at home.

Would like to see Shepard inside more, I know she is pulling Steward out.

But we aren't scoring unless she is inside.

[Tinpanalley]

40 - 24 UConn.  We need to improve our shooting percentage or this game could get ugly.

[Bugeaters1]

40 - 24 UConn.  We need to improve our shooting percentage or this game could get ugly.

need to get the ball released faster on the shots.

[twister31]

Not too bad after the first half. Gave up to many "easy" baskets though. I can live with Stewart making those plays, she's just that good. Don't neccessarily like leaving her standing under the hoop though. I like the fight.