Nebraska Cornhuskers
Sunday, December 7, 6:00pm
Lincoln, NE
Last Season: Nebraska went 19-13 (11-7 in the Big Ten) thanks in large part to being nearly invincible at Pinnacle Bank Arena, where they were 15-1. Despite a first-round exit in the conference tourney, they were given an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament, the program’s first since 1997-98.
Last Meeting/All-Time Series: Last December in Omaha, Creighton busted out to a 38-8 lead in the first half and steamrolled the Huskers 82-67. It was the Jays’ ninth straight regular-season win at home over the Huskers, and third straight overall in the series. The all-time series is 25-22 in favor of Nebraska, though if they hadn’t ducked the Jays during the 60s and 70s — a period of tremendous success for CU and typical mediocrity for Nebraska — the series would almost assuredly be tipped the other direction, perhaps significantly.
Head Coach: Entering his third season, Tim Miles has resurrected the Husker program and was the Big Ten coach of the year and Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year in 2013-14.
Top Returners: All five starters return from a year ago, led by junior Terran Petteway, who averaged 18.1 points and 4.8 rebounds a year ago. A terrific scorer, the 6’6″ Petteway is great at slashing to the rim, scoring in transition, and at the free throw line. On the other side of the coin, his jump shot leaves a lot to be desired (just 32% from three), and his assist-to-turnover ratio of .59 is atrocious (52 assists/88 turnovers).
Shavon Shields, at 6’7″ a similar player to Petteway, gives them an enviable duo on the wing. Shields averaged 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 32.6 minutes a year ago, and scored 22 points on 7-13 shooting against Creighton in last December’s game.
While the backcourt was strong a year ago, the frontcourt — specifically the post — was a major weakness. 6’10” junior Walter Pitchford is more of a stretch-four than a traditional post, as his team-best 41% shooting from deep shows, and he’s more comfortable at the 4 than at the 5.
Key Losses: Among the major contributors to last year’s success, only one is no longer around — Ray Gallegos, a streaky shooter who averaged 7.3 points and led the team with 54 three-pointers. He also had a terrific 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio (42/17) and gave them an additional steady ballhandler.
Key Additions: Fifth-year senior transfer Moses Abraham (who played for Georgetown when he was known as Moses Ayegba), a 6’9″, 247-pound veteran, was being touted as quality depth off the bench upon his signing. Then Leslee Smith, a 6’8″, 254-pound senior who played almost 17 minutes a game as one of Nebraska’s top reserves a year ago, tore his ACL in July and will miss the season. Smith was one of the Huskers best rebounders, particularly on the offensive glass, where he snared a team-high 59 boards (nearly two per game).
With Smith’s loss, Abraham will have to shoulder a bigger load, and if his play in two games vs Creighton is any indication, that might be counting on too much (0-1 shooting, two turnovers, five fouls, four rebounds and a block in 22 nearly invisible minutes).
True freshman Jake Hammond (6’10”, 230 lbs) was considered a redshirt candidate, but after losing Smith, it’s now possible that the Huskers will need him to play to give them an additional big off the bench.
