Hoops Gameday: Nebraska at St. John's

NAME	HT/WT	YEAR	NOTES

Glynn Watson	6-0/174	Jr.	Now has eight career 20-point efforts and has put up 20+ points in each of the last two Husker season openers.
Evan Taylor	6-5/206	Sr.	Had 12 points, including going 10-of-12 at the free throw line, in win over North Texas.
James Palmer	6-6/210	Jr.	Averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, including a game-high 18 points vs. UNT.
Isaac Copeland	6-9/221	Jr.	Averaging 8.0 points per game, but is third on the team in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and second in blocked shots (2.5 bpg).
Jordy Tshimanga	6-11/268	So.	Leads team with 8.0 rebounds per game, including a career-high 11 in win over Eastern Illinois.

St. John's projected starters

NAME	HT/WT	YEAR	NOTES

Shamorie Ponds	6-1/175	So.	Preseason All-Big East selection who averaged 17.4 ppg as a true freshman. Set the school scoring record with 573 points last year, including 75 3-pointers, while also pacing the Big East with 2.1 steals per game.
Marcus LoVett	6-0/180	So.	Averaging team-high 19.0 ppg and 3.5 apg, scored 23 points with four steals in SJU's season opener.
Justin Simon	6-5/215	So.	Averaging 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game this season.
Bashir Ahmed	6-7/210	Sr.	Started all 33 games last season and averaged 13.4 ppg.
Marvin Clark II	6-7/230	Jr.	Averaging 10.0 points and 2.0 assists per game.

3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Control the pace

While Nebraska made it a goal to push the tempo significantly more this season, the Huskers would be wise to slow things down and keep the pace of the game under control tonight. St. John's is a team that is at its best when things get chaotic, as its guard-heavy lineup loves to pressure the ball on defense and creates offense through forcing turnovers and transition. Now, Nebraska can't eliminate its pace altogether because that's one of its better strengths. However, being smart and under control with the basketball will be crucial for a team that's had issues with turnovers this season. Through two games the Red Storm have forced 42 turnovers and converted them into 67 points, owning an overall turnover margin of +8.5.

2. Win the 3-point line

As always, Nebraska will need to hit its 3-pointers at a solid clip in order to maximize its offense. More importantly, though, defending the perimeter on the other end of the floor might be one of the biggest keys of all tonight. St. John's comes in boasting five players who have three or more made 3-pointers on the season (Nebraska has one: James Palmer, 3). The Huskers have done a decent job defending the three this year, as opponents are a combined 12-of-32 (37.5 percent). But with so many Red Storm players capable of shooting from behind the arc, the importance of contesting outside shots will be as great as ever tonight.

3. Finish at the rim

With so many tall, long athletes in the lineup, you wouldn't think Nebraska would have many issues finishing at the rim. But for some reason, the Huskers have struggled to put the ball in the basket, as head coach Tim Miles said he's tallied NU at just 19-of-50 at the rim over the first two games. Part of that low percentage has to do with just missing easy shots, but it's also a result of the Huskers making poor decisions at times of whether to take it to the hoop or pass it out to a teammate. Nebraska again will have a bit of a size advantage tonight, and it needs to be the aggressor and not only attack the rim, but finish when it gets there.

QUOTABLE

"Defense travels. Offense might not travel, but defense always travels, and that’s how we’re going to win the game."

Senior guard Evan Taylor the key to Nebraska winning its first road game of the season

PREDICTION

St. John's 81-76

Robin's season record: 2-0

vs. the spread: 1-1

FUTURECAST

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