Published Nov 26, 2019
Hoops Game Day: Nebraska vs. George Mason
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Robin Washut  •  InsideNebraska
Senior Writer
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@RobinWashut

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN

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Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-2, 0-0) vs George Mason (6-1, 0-0)

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019 - 6:30 p.m. CT

John Gray Gymnasium (George Town, Cayman Islands)

TV: None

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: FloHoops

Nebraska projected starters
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES

Cam Mack

6-2/175

So.

Finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in the win over Washington State.

Dachon Burke

6-4/180

Jr.

Had 14 points but was just 5-of-13 shooting from the field against Washington State.

Jervay Green

6-3/210

Jr.

Scored 14 of his 16 points vs. Washington St. in the second half and had a season-high 8 rebounds.

Haanif Cheatham

6-5/195

Sr.

Posted a season-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and seven rebounds vs. Washington State.

Yvan Ouedraogo

6-9/260

Fr.

Only had four points and two rebounds in 13 minutes of work against Washington State.

George Mason projected starters
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES

Jamal Hartwell

5-10/115

So.

Averages 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

Javon Greene

6-2/190

Jr.

Had a team-high 19 points and seven rebounds in the win over Old Dominion.

Jordan Miller

6-6/189

So.

Averages 12.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.Had six turnovers vs. Old Dominion.

AJ Wilson

6-7/210

Jr.

Finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and was 8-of-12 from the FT line vs. Old Dominion.

Greg Calixte

6-8/227

Jr.

Only averages 2.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg and has attempted just 16 shots in seven games.

3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Push the pace

Nebraska was able to break the game open in the second half against Washington State on Monday night by getting up the floor and to the rim in transition. That's always going to be a key for the Huskers. They're a team that's at their best when they get out and run. But it will be especially important against a George Mason squad that wants to slow things down and play the game in the halfcourt. The Patriots rank 306th nationally in adjusted tempo (66.6) per KenPom and don't turn the ball over much, so NU needs to find ways to ramp up the pace by creating offensive through its defense.

2. Keeping hitting the boards

Three days after getting dominated on the glass by Southern, Nebraska actually held its own in the rebounding department against Washington State. The Cougars were far from the biggest or most physical teams NU will see this year, but the Huskers were only out-rebounded 44-41 overall. Now, WSU still hauled in 15 offensive boards and held a 20-4 edge in second-chance points. But still, compared to the whopping 54-28 overall rebounding disadvantage and 25-4 discrepancy on the offensive glass against the Jaguars, Monday was at least a step in the right direction.

3. Bring the same energy

Nebraska is a team that some might consider a bit of a frontrunner. That's because when things are going well, the Huskers can look really good. But when adversity hits, things can get just as ugly. Tonight is a rare situation where NU will have less than 24 hours to prepare for an opponent and get itself ready to play again. We saw a little bit of how that could impact this team during their four-game tour of Italy this summer. In its second game of the trip, Nebraska rolled past a Lithuanian professional team for a win. But when they had a rematch with that team the very next day, the Huskers nearly blew a 24-point lead when fatigue and complacency set in. Putting together 40 minutes of focus and energy will be imperative tonight.

QUOTABLE

“We’re starting to string together more consistent stretches, but we still haven’t played that 40-minute complete game. Hopefully that starts tomorrow night.”
Head coach Fred Hoiberg on the development he's seen from his team though the first five games.

PREDICTION

Nebraska 70, George Mason 68

Robin's 2019-20 record: 3-2

vs. the spread: 1-4