Game Day Essentials: Game #9 vs Indiana

Indiana Info

Head Coach: Mike Woodson (4th year)
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Hoosiers

Line: Nebraska by 4.5

Rotation Depth: 8+
Last time out: Defeated Minnesota

Nota bene:  

• Nebraska smoked Indiana last year 3 times with the closest game being a 15 point loss in Indiana. Indiana leads the all-time series 19-10.
• Hoiberg and Mike Woodson are both former NBA coaches. Woodson was the coach of the Atlanta Hawks (2004-2010) and NY Knicks (2012-2014)
• This is the 4th time Nebraska and Indiana have squared off in the early B1G matchups but the first time it's been at Nebraska.
• Mackenzie Mgbako was HS teammates with former Husker Jamarques Lawrence and CJ Wilcher's brother Simeon.
• This will be Indiana's first true road game. They played three neutral court games at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
• Gabe Cupps is out after having shoulder surgery. The Soph guard made 22 starts for Indiana as a freshman but had fallen out of the rotation this season.

Player to watch: Mackenzie Mgbako

The sophomore forward has blossomed into the 3pt shooter that Indiana had hoped for, shooting 43.9% on the year. Mgbako has a NBA body and NBA game but thanks to NIL he's being paid to stay at Indiana as opposed to gambling to get drafted by a NBA team.

Player to watch: Malik Reneau

The junior post player is having his best season as a Hoosier though what makes him particularly valuable in this lane dominant group is his ability to pass out of the post 

Player to watch: Oumar Ballo

The Arizona post player is the big dog on the roster in terms of height and mass, approximately the size of Meah but easily more skilled. The key tonight for Meah (or any other big) will be to not foul out in the five minutes vs Ballo.

Player to watch: Myles Rice

The Washington St PG might be the most important player for Indiana in terms of winning given his ability to feed post players and hit from outside. He might be still adjusting to Indiana's pace given how much he's been turning the ball over vs his time at WSU.

Player to watch: Trey Galloway

The fifth year senior glue guy is still here.  As the backup PG, Galloway's numbers are somewhat flipped this season as he's turning the ball over at a career high rate though has hit 8-15 from three.

Indiana Roster

Roster/infirmary report

9    Forward    Berke Büyüktuncel     6-10    244 lbs    Sophomore (questionable, groin pull)

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

0    Guard    Connor Essegian     6-4    190 lbs    Junior

Bench

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

Hoiberg Presser

Like the last time Nebraska was held under 55 (last season at Maryland), Hoiberg has 'thrown out the numbers' during this week's practice, opting to navigate the practice with toughness instead of pace. Hoiberg also mentions that Berke still isn't 100% and will likely be on a minutes restriction

The Skinny: 

Does Indiana take Nebraska seriously even after being handed by the Cornhuskers 3 time last season? The Hoosiers have look quite sharp after returning from their holiday tournament and steamrolled Minnesota at home on Monday while witnessing Nebraska being curb-stomped at Michigan St. Mike Woodson was out last night at a cigar bar last night watching Thursday Night Football. Exactly how hungry is this Indiana team?

I think you'll see Nebraska turn things around in terms of rebounding and getting shooters like Brice Williams and Connor Essegian looks. I think you'll see Juwan Gary pull down a few of his patented 1 armed rebounds.  I think you'll get the version of Nebraska that can win this game. 

What version of Indiana will you get? The Huskers will likely kill their transition game and probably force them into turnovers. Are they willing to take those 3s Nebraska will give them despite being the team that is hesitant to take those 3s?

Pretty sure this Indiana team is better than last season but I have to think both teams will just run the same gameplans as last season and that likely favors the Huskers

Prediction: Nebraska 77 - Indiana 70