The Huskers are set for the second game of their back to back conference road trip, as they take on the #20 Purdue Boilermakers.
The Huskers enter with a record of 12-3, and are coming off a disappointing 97-87 overtime loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Senior guard Brice Williams led the Huskers with 28 points, but the Huskers weren’t able to extend their 15 point second half lead, which allowed the Hawkeyes to shoot their way back into the game.
The Hawkeyes shot an NBA-like 17/35 from three last Tuesday, and saw two of their starters in Ryan Dix and Payton Sandfort reach 30+ points.
For Purdue, the Boilermakers enter with a record of 12-4, including three straight conference wins by at least 10 points or more.
The defending Big Ten Champions, and National Runner-up have been tested plenty of times already this season, having played in 5 games against ranked opponents, with a record of 2-3.
Players to Watch for Purdue:
Trey Kaufman-Renn:
17.7 PTS 6.3 REB 60.4 FG%
With former Purdue center Zach Edey in the NBA, it seems like that gave the Boilermakers a new plan to use Kaufman-Renn, who is having a breakout season as a junior.
It will be tough defending Kaufman-Renn, who has made a living in the post this season.
During the Boilermakers 87-78 win over #2 Alabama, Kaufman-Renn dominated the paint all game long, scoring a game high 26 points against the Crimson-Tides best big in Grant Nelson.
Look for Juwan Gary or Braxton Meah to likely draw the matchup of Kaufman-Renn, while head coach Fred Hoiberg draws up some double teams to send his way.
Fletcher Loyer:
13.8 PTS 2.1 REB 45.5% 3PT
Fletcher Loyer has given the Huskers many troubles in the past with his ability to shoot the three, and it might be more of the same on Sunday.
After allowing both Hawkeye players Josh Dix and Payton Sandfort to shoot a combined 13-20 from three, Loyer should look to get many looks from behind the arc.
Like Sandfort did for Iowa, Loyer won’t hesitate to shoot the three, so the Huskers need to be ready with a gameplan to try and lessen the Boilermakers three point attempts.
Players to Watch for Nebraska:
Berke Buyuktuncel:
7.6 PTS 6.5 REB 48.1 FG%
In what has been an up and down season for the UCLA transfer, the size of Buyuktuncel could end up being a major factor for the Huskers today.
Buyuktuncel may not get it done offensively, but it will be on defense where he will cause the Boilermakers trouble, and should provide a good matchup for Kaufman-Renn or Caleb Furst.
Juwan Gary:
11.7 PTS 4.5 REB 1.3 STL
Despite a poor offensive performance against the Hawkeyes that saw Gary shoot just 5/21 from the field, it was the defensive intensity that took the Huskers to overtime.
It could be a struggle today against the Boilermakers offensively, as Purdue hasn’t allowed a team to score over 61 points in their last three games, but if Gary can be aggressive on the defensive end and create turnovers, it will make things a lot easier today for the Huskers.
Prediction:
We all remember what happened the last time the Huskers and Boilermakers met on a basketball court.
The Huskers took down the #1 ranked Boilermakers at home for their first win over an AP #1 team since 1982.
However, I don’t see this game on Sunday being the same, the Huskers struggle on the road and Purdue knows it.
If Nebraska can get create early turnovers and make it hard for Purdue, then they should be in this game well into the second half.
Sunday, January 12th
11:00 AM CT BTN
Nebraska: 63 Purdue: 74