The Nebraska Cornhuskers are playing the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the 2024 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Championship Game, after shutting down the Murray State Racers 66-49 Sunday night.
Senior big Andrew Morgan posted his first double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds off the bench, and Conner Essegian continued his hot streak from behind the arc.
Essegian scored 15 points on 5/10 shooting from three as he continues to show why Nebraska made him such a big priority in the offseason, increasing his three point shooting percentage to 45% so far this season.
The Rainbow Warriors are coming off a win in their opening round matchup 78-61 against the Charlotte 49ers, where two Rainbow Warrior starters scored over 20 points.
For the Huskers, this game will go down as a “true road contest” as appose to a neutral site game, and will be considered a Quad 3 game on the Huskers resume.
Players to Watch for Hawaii:
Gytis Nemeiksa:
15.1 PTS 6.3 REB 56.6% FG 42.9% 3PT
Playing his second season of College Basketball, Xavier transfer forward Gytis Nemeiksa is a dangerous matchup for the Huskers.
The multi-taltented big can post you up in the paint, or knock it down from three, shooting 15/35 from three on the season.
Expect Nemeiksa to get the ball a ton tonight, especially in a winner takes all championship game.
Marcus Greene:
12.7 PTS 3.0 REB 2.5 AST
Senior guard Marcus Greene has been playing consistent basketball when the Rainbow Warriors need it the most.
Greene has scored at least 15 points in his last four games, and knocked down 3 threes against Charlotte, which is big for Greene considering he only shoots 24% from three on the season.
Players to Watch for Nebraska:
Conner Essegian:
13.2 PTS 2.5 REB 45% 3PT
Conner Essegian is the perfect replacement for Keisei Tominaga that Fred Hoiberg ever could’ve imagined.
Essegian has the confidence and the range to shoot from all over the court, and his energy and shooting ability could potentially break open this game if it comes down to it.
Juwan Gary:
10.8 PTS 4.3 REB 1.2 STL
You can easily argue that Juwan Gary is the most important player on Nebraska’s basketball team, and will most likely have the battle of defending Nemeiksa throughout this game.
Ever since transferring from Alabama, Gary has brought the energy on defense every time he has stepped on the floor.
If Gary can make life difficult for Nemeiksa, then that will go a long way towards a Husker victory.
Prediction:
If the Huskers defense can play with the same energy and focus that they did last night against the Racers, then this game will belong to the Huskers.
Nebraska can’t afford to start slow in this game offensively, but if they do, I have faith in their ability on defense to close out a close win.
Monday, December 23rd
9:30 P.M. ET ESPN2
Nebraska: 76 Hawaii: 71
