With three regular season games remaining for the Huskers, opportunities are slipping away for Nebraska as they get set to host the 14-14 Minnesota Golden Gophers Saturday afternoon.
It has been a rough four game stretch for the Huskers, once seen as a potential 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Huskers dropped three out of four games, including a blowout road loss to Penn State, and most recently a home loss to #15 Michigan 49-46.
Although the Huskers loss to Michigan won’t affect their chances much, it makes these remaining three games much more important for a Huskers team that is now projected to be on the bubble.
The Gophers are led in by fourth year head coach Ben Johnson, and they’re in desperate need for a win if they want to make the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
With a record of 6-10 in conference play, the Gophers are currently tied for 13th in the conference, but make no mistake about Minnesota, this team has some big wins on their resume this season.
Back in January, Minnesota upset both #20 Michigan and #15 Oregon at home behind big performances from senior Dawson Garcia.
Garcia leads the Gophers in scoring averaging 19.6 PPG, ranking him 23rd in the country and tied for second in the Big Ten with Nebraska’s Brice Williams.
It won’t be an easy game for the Huskers by any means, Minnesota is a gritty and tough team and if Nebraska is still hanging on to their back to back losses, the Gophers will come right into PBA and smack them in the mouth.
Players to Watch for Minnesota:
Dawson Garcia:
19.6 PTS 7.6 REB 2 AST
Dawson Garcia is one of the best big men in the country that you won’t hear about.
His 6′ 11” frame mixed with his ability to score, shoot and defend, will be very hard for the Huskers to slow down on Saturday.
It should be worth noting that Garcia struggled mightily in his two games against the Huskers last season, averaging just 5 PPG when the two teams met last season.
Mike Mitchell Jr :
9.5 PTS 2 REB 2.9 AST
The former Pepperdine guard is not shooting the three like he was in previous seasons, shooting just 33%, but he will get his shots up.
Mitchell has shot 10 or more threes in a game four times this season, and if he can get it going on Saturday, it might take the Huskers a while to adjust.
It took Nebraska until the second half against Northwestern to shut down Ty Berry, so expect the Huskers to be ready with a hand in the face whenever Mitchell comes off a screen looking for a three.
Players to Watch for Nebraska:
Brice Williams:
19.6 PTS 4 REB 2.9 AST
Brice Williams was all the Huskers had in their loss to Michigan, scoring 26 of the teams 46 total points, that can’t be a recipe for success on Saturday.
Minnesota is going to key in on Williams and it will be up to the fifth year senior to respond.
If the Huskers can get more scorers involved, it will make things easier for Williams to acclimate himself into this game.
Juwan Gary:
13 PTS 4.6 REB 1.2 STL
For some reason, it has been hard for Juwan Gary and the rest of this Huskers team to finish at the rim, they get good lucks but more often than not, they can’t convert at the rim.
Gary can get to the rim with ease, but there has been a lack of explosiveness.
Last season we saw multiple high flying dunks and dunk attempts, but there’s been too many times this season where there is a lack of aggressiveness when attacking the basket.
With Garcia in the middle, it will be key for Gary to attack the rim hard and try to force Garcia into foul trouble.
Prediction:
Nebraska needs this game big time, no matter what Husker fan you listen to, you lose to Minnesota and you can most likely kiss the NCAA Tournament away.
Minnesota is not a better team than Nebraska, and it should show on Saturday.
Saturday, March 1st, 2025
1:00 PM CT BTN
Nebraska: 78 Minnesota: 64
