Game Day Essentials: Game #7 vs Doane

 Doane Info

http://www.doaneathletics.com/images_web/_defaultNewsImageSm2016.jpg

Head Coach: Ian McKeithen
Location: Crete, NE
Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (NAIA)
Nickname: Tigers

Mascot: Thomas the Tiger
Last time out: Lost to Mount Marty less than 24 hours before

Of note

• Nebraska will have Trevor Lakes and Eduardo Andre available to play in this game. Lakes, the Div-II transfer, was to sit out the year as a redshirt. However with a NCAA ruling allowing all D-I transfers to play plus a waiver granted for Lakes, he will be able to suit up in addition to still playing in 2021-22. Andre has cleared the 21 days pause for a positive covid test though he is reportedly not in game shape and will play limited minutes.
• Doane head coach Ian McKeithen was hired by Fred Hoiberg as an intern when Hoiberg was working in the Timberwolves front office.
• Doane was our exhibition game opponent last year. This year they will be a regular season opponent for the first time since 1900. Nebraska played Doane in 1899 and 1900, winning both games easily. This game will be an exhibition for the Tigers.

Hoiberg Presser

Mayen Presser

McGowens Presser

Notes: If you want to read into how important Derrick Walker is Hoiberg mentioned one reason for scheduling Doane was to get back Walker earlier. Notes this was the second day back for Eduardo and he can only go for about 3 minutes until he's winded. Hoiberg talks about Mayen playing out of position and trying to keep him out of foul trouble. McGowens talked glowingly about Lakes' ability to stretch the floor and to play great team defense. Mentioned that the players were "chippy" in practice, working on details after coming back from a two day break.

The Skinny: 

A lot of times it seems like Nebraska is being a good ambassador by putting a small Nebraska school on their exhibition schedule. Today's matchup vs Doane feels like the Tigers are doing the Huskers a solid as Doane has crammed this one in between a Wednesday road game and an upcoming Saturday matchup. Game checks a lot of boxes for a Nebraska team trying to figure itself out and add pieces before the start of conference play.

It feels like Nebraska has about half its lineup figured out, specifically the guards with at least two of Banton, Allen, McGowens, and Webster on the court at all times. (At points all 4 of them are).  The back end is murky with lack of depth and size. Watch for what combinations Nebraska might try tonight to see what works.

Nebraska should steamroll this team and Doane likes to run plenty so it should be a high scoring affair. The Huskers once beat the Tigers by 54.  Will the 'motivated to execute' Huskers of 2020 approach that?

Prediction: Nebraska 106 - Doane 62