Needing a win in the midst of a 4-game losing streak, the Huskers host one of the first year teams in the Big Ten Conference, the USC Trojans.
Led by former Arkansas head coach, Eric Musselman has the Trojans sitting at 11-7 in his first season in Southern California, which includes an upset win against one of the Big Tens best teams in #13 Illinois on the road.
It’s been up and down since that win against the Illini. The Trojans have dropped three of their last four, but found success in a 99-89 win against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Former Xavier guard Desmond Claude, who burst onto the scene as a sophomore leads the team in scoring with 16 points per game, but most Husker fans will be most familiar with Northern Colorado transfer and Omaha native Saint Thomas.
Since transferring to USC, Thomas has been a key contributor as a starter, including a 24 point, 9 rebound and 7 assist performance against the Hawkeyes.
For the Huskers, opportunities continue to slip away as we head into the final 13 games of the regular season.
After losing to Rutgers at home, which was the first loss inside PBA since December 2023, the Huskers dropped a road game against Maryland 69-66, in a game where the Huskers played good enough to win defensively.
Players to Watch for USC:
Desmond Claude:
16 PTS 3.8 REB 4.1 AST
No matter who is guarding Desmond Clause tonight, it will be a very good battle to keep an eye on.
Claude is a crafty finisher that plays his game almost exclusively inside the three point line, and that is where the Huskers can find success if they match him up with Ahron Ulis.
Ulis forced two steals in his best defensive effort of the season in the Huskers loss to Maryland.
Saint Thomas:
11 PTS 6.1 REB 4.1 AST
The Omaha, Nebraska native plays a key role for the Trojans, so don’t be surprised if USC shifts part of their gameplan to get Thomas more involved.
Thomas leads the Trojans in rebounds and assists and can shoot the three if he gets going.
Thomas has been playing with lots of confidence as of late, so it will be key for the Huskers to try and shut down Thomas early.
Players to Watch for Nebraska:
Brice Williams:
18.6 PTS 3.7 REB 2.6 AST
In a game that is so big for the Huskers to get back on track, you can almost certainly count on Brice Williams to shine at home when needed.
As of late, the Huskers offense has looked lackadaisical, committing turnovers and taking poor shots, but that’s where Brice Williams is needed the most.
If the Huskers can get early stops on the Trojans, expect Williams to be in command offensively and get to his midrange jumper.
Andrew Morgan:
8.4 PTS 4.6 REB 55.4 FG%
When Andrew Morgan is on the floor, is when things start to trend in the right direction for the Huskers.
Morgan can control his own in the paint, and his footwork has gotten him many opportunities to go to the free throw line.
Look out for Morgan to potentially start tonight against the Trojans.
Prediction:
The Rutgers loss was a massive gut check to the Huskers that showed them that they could be beat at home on any given night.
In need of a win tonight, it feels like a must-win game almost, at least for the fanbase it seems like it.
Wednesday, January 22nd
8:00 PM CT BTN
Nebraska: 82 USC: 70