Nebraska gets set to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, as the Huskers will be tasked with stopping two potential top five NBA draft picks.
Despite a slow 9-8 start, the Scarlet Knights are led by two elite freshman in Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
Both five stars in high school, Harper and Bailey are first and second on the team in scoring, averaging 20 and 19 points per game.
Outside of the two freshman phenoms, it has been a struggle for the Scarlet Knights to play consistent basketball this season.
After the starting the season ranked #25 with a 5-1 record, the Scarlet Knights would drop eight of their next 12 games, falling completely out of the top 25.
For the Huskers, they’re working their way through a tough two game losing streak, after getting embarrassed on the road 104-68 to Purdue last Sunday.
Players to Watch for Rutgers:
Dylan Harper:
20 PTS 5.2 REB 4.4 AST 1 STL
I’m not sure if there is anyone on the Huskers roster, let alone the country that can contain Dylan Harper when he gets going, which is why this is such a difficult matchup for the Huskers.
Harper is an elite shot creator that makes a living in isolation, so expect some quick double teams to be thrown Harpers way to try and throw off the true freshman.
As of Thursday, Harper has been projected to be selected within the top two picks of the upcoming NBA Draft.
Ace Bailey:
19 PTS 7.7 REB 1.1 STL 1.3 BLK
Like Harper, freshman Ace Bailey has shown night in and night out that he is one of the best players in the country.
the 6’10 guard can take and make difficult shots with hands in his face consistently, so the Huskers can’t get away with defending Bailey lightly.
Bailey has been projected as high as #3 on NBA mock draft boards.
Players to Watch for Nebraska:
Brice Williams:
18.8 PTS 3.7 REB 1.2 STL
If the Scarlet Knights hold Brice Williams to 9 points like Purdue did, then it will be a long night for the Huskers.
Williams has reached a new level in his fifth season, and when Williams is playing free and scoring, odds are the rest of the Huskers team is at their best as well.
Conner Essegian:
11.6 PTS 2.9 REB 39.6% 3PT
Ever since the Huskers entered conference play, Conner Essegian has been struggling to connect from behind the arc.
Expect Essegian to once again come off the bench and get plenty of open looks from three.
The Scarlet Knights have defended the three well in their last three games, allowing teams to shoot a combined 26.7%.
Prediction:
All of a sudden, this seems like a much needed win for the Huskers.
A loss to Purdue wouldn’t have affected the Huskers as bad as it did if they wouldn’t have lost by 40+ points.
Expect the Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey to make things interesting tonight, but ultimately, I can’t see the Huskers dropping a much needed game at home.
January 16th, 2025
8:00 PM CT FS1
Nebraska: 75 Rutgers: 70