Nebraska will be the last single play of the year for the Hoosiers before six straight games against teams they have already beaten. With the way college basketball has been this year, one would be stupid to assume anything. Well then I’m pretty stupid because I don’t think this game will be close. Everyone remembers what happened last year over in Lincoln but this game is being played in Assembly Hall which tends to change things a little. I don’t know if anybody on Nebraska’s roster would get any minutes on IU’s team.
I tend to respect Tim Miles and think he can improve the program in the long run, but this team’s M.O. is to win games by out scrapping their opponent. The only redeeming quality about their offense is they don’t turn it over very often. They like to play in the 60′s with as little possessions as possible. Basically, if Indiana lets Nebraska dictate the tempo it will be much closer. If the game gets up and down, just sit back and enjoy another Hoosier beat down.
With that, here is the scouting report for tomorrow night’s game:
Game time: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2013
TV: BTN (Eric Collins and Shon Morris)
Nebraska Cornhuskers: 12-12 (3-8) Rank: 146 KenPom
Probable Starters:
#15 Ray Gallegos: 6-2 181 Jr. G 13.3ppg 1.1apg 3.4rpg
#24 Dylan Talley: 6-5 216 Sr. G 13.1ppg 2.5apg 5.4rpg
-I am putting these guys together because they are pretty much the same player. They both play nearly the entire game and together they take about half the team’s total shots. Neither are very efficient shooters. Gallegos likes to settle for the three where Talley wants to drive more. Talley had 10 points last year coming off the bench.
#2 David Rivers: 6-7 191 So. G-F 6.0ppg 0.5bpg 3.4rpg
#31 Shavon Shields: 6-6 214 Fr. G-F 7.4ppg 0.3bpg 4.7rpg
-These two belong together as well. Rivers has been starting as of late. Rivers has had a few games where he scored double digits but normally is around that 5-8 ppg range. Shields had back-t0-back games earlier in the year where he randomly burst out for 18 & 29 points. Other than that he has been relatively quiet. Both have good size and look to get to the rim first. Neither can shoot. Jordan Hulls will likely guard one of them.
#13 Brandon Ubel: 6-10 234 Sr. F 11.9ppg 1.4apg 6.9rpg
-Ubel is their best offensive player. I’m sure Coach Miles wants to game plan to feed Ubel the ball to see if they can get Cody Zeller in foul trouble. He rebounds well and can block a shot every now and then. He only had two points in twenty one minutes in last year’s game.
Coming off the bench:
#3 Benny Parker: 5-9 164 Fr. G 3.0ppg 2.4apg 1.5rpg
-When you see Benny enter the game, you will think Nate Robinson is playing for the Cornhuskers.
#32 Andre Almeida: 6-11 314 Sr. C 5.6ppg 0.5apg 4.0rpg
-Andre is a good shot blocker. He is also good at not existing in some games.
#11 Jordan Tyrance – G
#14 Sergej Vucetic – C
Keys to the game:
- Like noted above, Indiana can’t let Nebraska dictate pace. They should try to speed up the Cornhuskers because that is something they are uncomfortable with.
- The Hoosiers don’t need to settle for threes in this game. Like always, if they are there, take them. Otherwise, feed the Big Handsome the rock and get out of his way.
- Securing the defensive rebound in this game will be extremely important. Nebraska will likely run off 25-30 seconds nearly every possession. If they get extra possessions that could lead to nearly a minute of no offense for the Hoosiers.
- If Indiana loses you will never hear from me again.
My Prediction:
IND 83
NEB 60
