The next seven days are big for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Nebraska.
For the men, Fred Hoiberg’s 2-1 squad rounds out the currently scheduled non-conference slate at home with Georgia Tech (1-2) in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge Wednesday before a road game at rival No. 9 Creighton (3-0) Friday. The Huskers lost by more than 20 points to both teams last season.
The Yellow Jackets recovered from season opening losses to Georgia State (123-120 4OT) and Mercer (83-73) with a win this past weekend over No. 20 Kentucky (79-62). They are led by senior forward Moses Wright, averaging 24 points a game. Wright scored 18 on Nebraska a season ago.
Nebraska guard Ashley Scoggin drives by defenders during Sunday’s win over Idaho State. (Photo Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office)
Creighton survived a slight scare from North Dakota State (69-58) to open the season, but has since stomped Omaha (95-67) and Kennesaw State (93-58). Senior forward Christian Bishop is pacing the Bluejays with 15 points a game. Just behind Bishop is junior guard Marcus Zegarowski at 12.3 points per contest, who scored 30 on Nebraska last year.
Amy Williams and her 2-0 team jump into conference play Wednesday, hosting Illinois (2-1) before the final non-conference game Monday at Creighton (1-3). Despite giving up 14 3s, the Huskers beat the Bluejays last season. Nebraska beat Illinois (80-58) in their only matchup of 2019-20.
Illinois has wins over Indiana State (68-49) and Omaha (53-50) with a loss to Valparaiso (62-59). This is the first road game for the Illini this season, who are led in scoring by sophomore guard Jeanae Terry at 14 points a game.
The Bluejays just got their first win of the season Sunday, 88-41 over Butler. Before that it was losses to Drake (75-62), Northern Iowa (55-52), and South Dakota State (66-47). Creighton has had one game (Xavier) postponed. The leading scorer is senior guard Temi Carda at 14 points per contest.
Feature Image Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office – Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports