If you thought the environment would be tough for the Creighton men’s basketball team this past Wednesday night at Tulsa, you can bet it will be ten times the challenge this Sunday. That’s when Greg McDermott’s team heads west on I-80 for the annual matchup with in-state rival Nebraska.
This will be the first visit for the Bluejays to the Pinnacle Bank Arena that the Huskers moved into last season. Since it opened, UNL has been pretty successful at PBA. This will be the biggest test for the Bluejays yet.
While many are familiar about our friends in red, we wanted to get a little more information. So we turned to the expert of the Nebraska basketball team, Brian Rosenthal of the Lincoln Journal Star. Here is what he had to say heading into Sunday’s 6PM tip.
White & Blue Review: It appears that Tim Miles has already had some great success with Nebraska hoops taking them back to the NCAA Tournament last season. Is he the coach that will take Nebraska basketball to the next level?
Brian Rosenthal: Yes, I believe Tim Miles is the man to lead Nebraska to its first NCAA Tournament win, and more. He’s established some big-time momentum, both with his current program, and on the recruiting trail. The only thing standing in Nebraska’s way is other schools who will try to lure Miles away at some point. Will Nebraska be willing to open up the checkbook?
WBR: With Nebraska starting the year in the top 25, was that attributed more to how they ended last season? Was that too high of an expectation going into 2014-15?
BR: Well, most preseason polls are based on team’s finish the previous season and what they have returning, so in that respect, I’m not surprised Nebraska was a Top 25 team entering the season. Is it truly a Top 25 program? Probably not now. I’d say top 40, though.
WBR: Besides Terran Petteway, who does Creighton need to watch out for on Sunday night?
BR: That’s an easy question. Shavon Shields. He’s every bit as dangerous a wing as Petteway, only more efficient, and with a more accurate jumper. Teams are trying to take driving lanes away from Petteway and Shields, and forcing them to take jumpers. Shields has proven he can, more than Petteway, in my opinion.
WBR: Who has been the biggest surprise for the Huskers this season?
BR: Tarin Smith, a true freshman point guard, has stepped up with some solid minutes and some big plays – like his 3-pointer with a minute to go at Florida State. He’s a savvy player, good basketball IQ. Needs to get stronger. But he could be a bigger factor this season than first thought.
WBR: What weaknesses can opponents exploit at this point of the season.
BR: Nebraska still lacks a dominant front court. Even with the addition of Moses Abraham, the 6-9, fifth-year senior transfer from Georgetown, this is still a weak spot. Abraham’s been improving, and is good defensively and rebounding, but a liability on offense. The injury to senior forward Leslee Smith (ACL, could be back in January) has been big. It’s forced Tim Miles to play true freshman Jake Hammond, who otherwise would’ve redshirted. Hammond’s probably not ready to be in this position, but he’s getting thrown into action out of necessity.
WBR: What kind of distraction does the Bo Pelini firing and attention around finding a new head coach for football affect the attention on the basketball program.
BR: None, really. Pinnacle Bank Arena will still be full and it shouldn’t have any effect on the team’s preparations.
WBR: Is Nebraska vs. Creighton really a heated rivalry or do you think there are too many Jayskers that keep it as just a friendly argument?
BR: I asked some people this question on my weekly chat, and the responses varied. I personally feel it’s developed, or developing, into a true rivalry.
WBR: What is your final prediction? What will Nebraska have to do in order to get a win against Creighton for the first time in a while?
BR: I think Nebraska ends Creighton’s three-game winning streak in the series. Key for Nebraska include NOT coming out too hyped. This team has a tendency to want something too bad, and it presses, and things go badly. Still, I see a Nebraska victory. Nebraska 74, Creighton 69.
