Game Day Essentials: Game #5 vs Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Head Coach: Porter Moser
Location: Norman, OK
Conference: Big 12
Nickname: Sooner
Mascot: Sooner Schooner, Top Daug

Last time out: Beat South Alabama
Opening Line: Oklahoma by 5.5

Other:  

• First meeting between the two teams since Nebraska's last year in the Big 12
• Both teams have played Arkansas Pine Bluff. The Sooners defeated the Golden Lions 66-58
• Doc Sadler was recently hired as a special assistant to the Sooners who were in need of help as one of their assistants resigned mid-season

Player to watch: Grant Sherfield

The 6'2" Nevada transfer has become an immediate impact player for the Sooners, leading the team in scoring and assists.

Player to watch: Tanner Groves

The senior center leads the team in rebounds and has been a reliable outside shooter though has slumped to start this season.  His brother Luke slots in at the 4.  Both were known for taking Kansas to the limit in the NCAA tourney playing for Eastern Washington in 2021.

KenPom most used lineup

Others to watch

• CJ Noland - Made the Big 12 freshman team after shooting 43.6% from 3 last year. Has struggled with his shot this season; is turnover prone
• Jalen Hill - Classic glue guy, does his limited scoring inside the arc
• Joe Bamisile - The 6'4" George Washington transfer is a volume scorer trying to fit in with a defensive minded Sooner team
• Milos Uzan - Top 50 freshman guard who is capable of scoring though has shot about as much as Benny Parker while on the floor
• Sam Godwin - Wolford transfer is center depth

Probable starters for Nebraska
5    Sam Griesel    G    6-7
25  Emmanuel Bandoumel    G    6-4

0   C.J. Wilcher    G    6-5

4   Juwan Gary  F  6-6

15   Blaise Keita C   6-11

Bench

30  Keisei Tominaga    G    6-2

32  Wilhelm Breidenbach    F    6-10

10  Jamarques Lawrence - G  6-3

12  Denim Dawson - F  6-6

33  Oleg Kojenets    F    7-0
12   Sam Hoiberg    G    6-0

31  Cale Jacobsen  G  6-4

35  Henry Burt  F  6-6

24  Jeffrey Grace III  G  6-3
* 13  Derrick Walker    F    6-9

Injured

3   Quaran McPherson   G   6-3 - Out for the Year

*Availability Unknown

Hoiberg Presser

The Skinny: 

Porter Moser is in his second year at Oklahoma and runs the same man defense and methodical offense that won him a bunch of games at Loyola Chicago.  Expect this to be a low scoring affair as both teams defend well without fouling and Oklahoma likely will attempt to grind this game out in the half court.  Speaking of grinding, this Nebraska team seems to be working for high quality shots as opposed to jacking up the first available look on offense.  Never thought I'd see the day that a Hoiberg team at Nebraska might not lead the conference in pace.

It's going to be difficult for Nebraska to score on Oklahoma but they unlike St John's they won't pressure the ball. We'll see how much Blaise Keita can stay on the court against this Sooner squad that is capable of playing 5 out basketball. Their might be chances for transition baskets given how much Oklahoma turns the ball over. 

Often feels like these holiday tourney teams in these tiny gyms tend to be on the sloppy side.  In a low scoring game where Oklahoma doesn't seem capable of overwhelming Nebraska, let's lean into it.

Prediction: Nebraska 67 - Oklahoma 63