Game Day Essentials: Game #4 vs St Mary's

St Mary's

Head Coach: Randy Bennett (24th year)
Location: Moraga, CA
Conference: West Coast Conference
Nickname: Gaels
Mascot: Gideon

Last time out: Beat Akron
Shirt not to wear: Blue, silver

Opening Line: St Mary's by 2.5

Nota bene:  

• This is the 3rd meeting between these schools. Nebraska lost 58-54 in 1946 and won 68-57 in 1975, both games at the UNL Coliseum 
• A Gael is essentially someone of Irish descent 
• St Mary's is known for recruiting Australia and currently has 3 Australians on the roster
• The Gaels rank 353rd in bench minutes and 16th in 2 foul participation at KenPom.  In other words, the Gaels don't play a lot of minutes into their bench even if guys get into foul trouble in the first half.  Bennett has been pretty consistent about playing guys with 2 fouls whereas Hoiberg tends to be an autobench type
• Nebraska is 2-0 all time at the Sanford Pentegon with wins over Oklahoma St in 2018-19 and Oregon St in 2023-34

Top 7 leading scorers

Player to watch: Augustas Marciullionis

The senior PG is the reigning WCC player of the year after putting up 12.4 ppg and 5.3 apg as he led St Mary's to the WCC title. "Gus" is a savvy as they come for a college basketball PG and when he isn't setting up his team for easy shots, he's slicing to the rim as the team's 2nd leading scorer. Out front he can ball-hawk given the rim protection he has behind him.  He's a so-so 3pt shooter which is about the only thing he doesn't excel at

Player to watch: Paulius Murauskas

The Arizona transfer is the other Lithuanian on the team and he's a double-double waiting to happen, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Murauskas and Berke actually went head to head this summer in the FIBA U20 Eurocup and Murauskas dominated the meeting.  If there was a rebound to be had, Murauskas was going to get it. 

Player to watch: Luke Barrett

Others to watch

• Luke Barrett - The two Lithuanians and 5th year senior and glue guy Barrett rarely leave the court. 
•  Mikey Lewis - The true freshman is splitting time at SG and with his three level scoring punch often takes over games while on the court. Sophomore guard Jordan Ross is starting for now.
• Mitchell Saxen/Harry Wessels - The two large centers are essentially interchangeable on this team, anchoring the defense and functioning as secondary scorers. 

Roster/infirmary report

Possible starters for Nebraska

3    Guard    Brice Williams     6-7    214 lbs    Senior

4    Forward    Juwan Gary     6-6    226 lbs    Senior

24    Guard    Rollie Worster     6-5    210 lbs    Senior

34    Center    Braxton Meah     7-1    264 lbs    Senior

9    Forward    Berke Büyüktuncel     6-10    244 lbs    Sophomore

Bench

0    Guard    Connor Essegian     6-4    190 lbs    Junior

2    Guard    Ahron Ulis     6-3    190 lbs    Senior
5    Forward    Braden Frager     6-7    220 lbs    Freshman
8    Guard    Jeffrey Grace III     6-3    200 lbs    Junior
12    Guard    Gavin Griffiths     6-7    193 lbs    Sophomore
20    Forward    Justin Bolis     6-8    225 lbs    Sophomore
25    Guard    Nick Janowski     6-4    208 lbs    Freshman
31    Guard    Cale Jacobsen     6-4    195 lbs    Sophomore

1    Guard    Sam Hoiberg     6-0    185 lbs    Junior

23    Forward    Andrew Morgan     6-10    242 lbs    Senior 

35    Forward    Henry Burt     6-7    222 lbs    Sophomore

Out for year
51    Forward    Rienk Mast     6-10    260 lbs    Senior

The Skinny: 

After three games, we've seen an expected shift away from 3pt shooting this season.  Thus far the Huskers have been making hay from the FT line coupled with ice cold shooting from the 3pt line when they take them. At some point you'd think the 3s might start to fall but it's no guarantee as some seasons guys just don't have it.  Today's game vs St Mary's will be a chance for Nebraska to get their outside game going as the Gaels are built on taking away the paint.  Can Nebraska start making shots?

Offensively the Gaels are a patient and efficient team who tends to work the ball inside. When they do miss, their forwards and centers are crashing the boards in search of 2nd chance points. To this point against opponents with inferior size the Huskers have looked in mid-season form on defense. Will they hold up as the Gaels' probe their defense for openings?

How much does this time and location benefit Nebraska? St Mary's is playing a game at 10 am PST in an arena that should be 95+% Nebraska fans.  Is the power of the Sanford Pentagon enough to carry Nebraska to a win?

Prediction: Nebraska 68 - St Mary's 65