Just 3 weeks ago, the Huskers seemed like a clear lock to make the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. As the Huskers hit the road to face the #18 Wisconsin Badgers, they’re now hoping that they can save this season and make the Big Ten Tournament.
After defeating a top 15 UCLA team at home 66-58, the Huskers dropped their next five games, most recently to the USC Trojans last Wednesday night at home.
It is pretty clear that the Purdue disaster shifted this team. The Huskers have the talent and hustle to come back and make a run for March, but that won’t be easy against the Badgers, who have won 7 of their last 8 games.
Greg Gard and his staff do an amazing job reloading the Badgers every season with talent, and this season is no different.
Wisconsin landed Omaha native and former Colorado State and Missouri guard John Tonje from the transfer portal this offseason, which has helped the Badgers in many ways this season.
Tonje is having a bounce back year, averaging 17.5 points per game after appearing in just 8 games at Missouri due to a foot injury.
Playing in Madison is never easy, but many Husker fans can remember when the Huskers took down #10 Wisconsin, 74-73 in the regular season finale in 2022.
Players to Watch for Wisconsin:
John Tonje:
17.5 PTS 4.8 REB 1.9 AST
Tonje is the fourth Nebraska native to face the Huskers this season, and he will give the Huskers problems on Sunday if they don’t have the right gameplan to defend him.
Tonje is a physical guard that is tough to defend when he gets downhill to the basket.
In an upset of #9 Arizona back in November, Tonje scored 41 points thanks to great opportunities set up in the play designs by Coach Gard and the off ball movement by Tonje.
John Blackwell:
16.4 PTS 4.7 REB 1 STL
After a promising freshman season, John Blackwell is having a breakout sophomore season, which provides a solid duo alongside Tonje.
Blackwell is the one of the go-to guys for the Badgers, he can shoot the three, he gets to the free throw line and he plays good defense.
Things will be over quickly for the Huskers if Blackwell gets going early, so expect the Huskers and defensive assistant Nate Loenser to try and get the ball out of Blackwell’s hands.
Players to Watch for Nebraska:
Brice Williams:
18.5 PTS 3.7 REB 2.5 AST
As important as Brice Williams is to the Huskers offensively, he is as important defensively, especially with having to defend Wisconsin’s guards.
Williams staying out of foul trouble may be one of the main keys that will help the Huskers if this is a close game down the stretch.
They’ll need his scoring efforts without a doubt, but the Huskers can’t afford to lose their best offensive scorer to early foul trouble.
Connor Essegian:
11.5 PTS 2.7 REB 41.5% 3PT
With Connor Essegian making his return to Wisconsin, expect him to get lots of opportunities to have a career day for the Huskers.
Essegian has very good range from three, and we’ve seen some Husker guards have big performances against the Badgers in the past.
If Essegian can see early attempts drop through the basket, expect the offense to start to flow through him.
Prediction:
Listen, I’m not predicting that the Huskers are going to win this game in a tough road environment, but I didn’t expect the Huskers to win on the road in 2022, nor did i expect the 19 point comeback win against the Badgers last season at PBA.
Anything can happen in College Basketball, and I do think that the Huskers will make a very good game out of this, but they haven’t proven that they can play a full 40 or more minutes on the road.
Sunday, January 26th
12:00 PM CT BTN
Nebraska: 73 Wisconsin: 81