The Huskers hit the road to take on the injury depleted Northwestern Wildcats to start a two game road trip.
Coached by longtime Wildcats head coach Chris Collins, 13-12 Northwestern has been up and down as the season has gone along, and are now dealing with some major injuries to their starting lineup.
It was announced on January 28th that Wildcats second leading scorer Brooks Barnhizer will miss the remainder of the season due to injury, and just days later, the Wildcats would announce that starting point guard Jalen Leach would also miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
The absence of Barnhizer and Leach have continued to plummet the Wildcats, as Northwestern has lost three out of their last four games since their injuries were announced.
For the Huskers, they had to deal with a bit of their own injury and illness bug.
Before tipoff of the Huskers 83-75 loss last Thursday night to Maryland, it was announced that guards Brice Williams and Connor Essegian were both battling flu-like symptoms, along with an injury to forward Berke Buyuktuncel.
Buyuktuncel is still being considered day to day by coach Fred Hoiberg, but will most likely get him back before the end of the regular season.
Players to Watch for Northwestern:
Nick Martinelli:
19.7 PTS 6 REB 1.7 AST
It is going to be the Nick Martinelli show today for the Wildcats, and the Huskers will need to be ready for it.
The junior forward is having a breakout season after averaging just under 9 PPG last season.
Don’t let his size fool you, Martinelli can score in the post with great footwork, and then come out and guard on the perimeter.
If the Huskers don’t come at Martinelli with intensity and pace, then it will be a long game for the Huskers defensively.
Expect either of Juwan Gary or Andrew Morgan to be locked onto Martinelli all game.
Ty Berry:
9.6 PTS 3.1 REB 1.4 STL 39.4% 3PT
Husker fans might know the name Ty Berry a little too much.
Berry has had some big shooting games against the Huskers, many fans will remember when Berry drained 6 threes and scored 26 points against the Huskers at PBA back in 2023.
Berry is a very good three point shooter that the Huskers will have to try and take out of this game.
In the Wildcats loss to Oregon last Tuesday, Berry played one of his best games all season, scoring 23 points on 4/5 shooting from three.
The Wildcats will look to get Berry a lot of open looks for three, considering the Huskers have struggled defending the three as of late.
Players to Watch for Nebraska:
Brice Williams:
19.4 PTS 4.1 REB 2.8 AST 1 STL
The most important player for the Huskers will need to play one of his best games when needed the most.
Williams has proven time and time again for the Huskers that he can pull them through in a tough game, and that will be needed Sunday afternoon.
Williams has scored 20 points or more in each of his last five games, but his biggest strength might just be getting to the free throw line.
In conference play, Williams is averaging 5.8 free throw attempts per game, making close to 90%.
Juwan Gary:
13.5 PTS 4.8 REB 1.1 STL
The duo of Brice Williams and Juwan Gary should be the recipe for success for the Huskers against the Wildcats.
Gary has been playing some of his best basketball during his time at Nebraska as of late, and that momentum could really help against an injury be-riddled team like the Wildcats.
Prediction:
This game has the vibes that it will be back and forth mostly the whole way.
Only 2 games separate the Wildcats and the Huskers from each other in the Big Ten standings, so this game is very important to both teams.
Eyeing March, the Huskers can’t afford to lose this game on the road, and I expect them to come out and play like it.
Martinelli and Berry will make it difficult for the Huskers, but I’m putting my trust in the more healthier team.
Sunday, February 16th, 2025
2:00 PM CT BTN
Nebraska: 83 Northwestern: 72
