Nebraska Hoops Game Day: USC

3 keys to victory

Solve the 3-point defense

For Nebraska to beat USC or anyone else on its schedule, it must figure out its defensive issues on the perimeter. The Huskers have been torched from behind the arc during their four-game losing streak, giving up 58 made 3-pointers (14.5 per game) at a blistering 47.5% clip. Head coach Fred Hoiberg insists that it’s not as much of a schematic issue as it is his players needing better defensive effort and intensity. That means NU’s close-outs must be aggressive, the rotations must be crisp, and the intensity must be elite for a full 40 minutes. If not, the Trojans – which shoot a solid 35.2% from three – will light Nebraska up once again.

Stop giving the ball away

Nebraska turned it over 13 times last time out at Maryland, an OK-but-not-great number. Only four of those came in the second half, but sloppy ball handling early again caused the Huskers problems out of the gate. Turnovers have been an issue for NU all season, as it now ranks 186th nationally in offensive turnover rate. Nebraska’s goal each game is to finish with 10 or fewer giveaways. It’s accomplished that just four times through 18 games this season, including averaging nearly 13 turnovers over its four-game losing streak. Something to watch tonight is how much the Huskers go back to a two-point guard lineup with Rollie Worster and Ahron Ulis on the floor together. NU utilized that look in the second half at Maryland and significantly improved its handling of the Terrapins’ on-ball pressure.

Be the aggressor

Hoiberg described USC as a bunch of guys who were “all the same,” and he meant it as a compliment. The Trojans’ roster is full of tall, strong, and athletic players at all five positions, giving them physicality and versatility no matter who is on the court. However, USC still has issues with opponents who throw the first punches. The Trojans rank 17th in the Big Ten in rebounding (32.3 rpg) and dead last in offensive boards (8.1 orpg). They also commit 17.6 fouls per game (fifth-most in the conference) to allow foes to score 20.6% of their points at the free-throw line. If Nebraska can crash the glass on both ends and attack the rim on offense, it could control the boards, extend and finish possessions, and cash in at the charity stripe. There’s no better formula to end a losing streak than that.

Quotable

“It’s all out there right now. We went from being in a really good situation and a really good position to still having our goals right in front of us. A lot of teams have gone through three, four-game losing streaks in this league. It happens. You got to respond. You got to keep going out there, and one thing I really liked about the last game was I thought our defensive edge was back, and that has to be our constant.”

Head coach Fred Hoiberg on Nebraska needing to get its season back on track through defense and toughness.

Prediction

Nebraska (-4.5) 77, USC 68

Robin’s season record: 15-2

Vs. the spread: 8-9

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