Published Nov 25, 2016
Hoops Gameday: Nebraska vs. UCLA
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Robin Washut  •  InsideNebraska
Senior Writer
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@RobinWashut

Who, What, Where, When

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Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0) vs. UCLA Bruins (5-0)

Friday, Nov. 25, 2016 - 11 p.m.

Titan Gym

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: WatchESPN

Nebraska projected starters
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES

Glynn Watson

6-0/174

So.

Had game-high 20 points, 5 steals and 3 assists vs. Dayton

Tai Webster

6-4/195

Sr.

Scored 16 points before fouling out in final minutes vs. Dayton

Jack McVeigh

6-8/215

So.

Had 5 points on 1-of-5 shooting with 4 turnovers vs. Dayton

Michael Jacobson

6-9/239

So.

Scored 5 points with 3 rebounds and 2 blocks vs. Dayton

Edward Morrow

6-7/234

So.

Recorded double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds vs. Dayton

UCLA projected starters
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES

Bryce Alford

6-3/185

Sr.

Had 13 points and 2 assists vs. Portland

Isaac Hamilton

6-5/195

Sr.

Had 16 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds vs. Portland

Lonzo Ball

6-6/190

Fr.

Posted double-double vs. Portland with 18 points and 11 assists

T.J. Leaf

6-10/225

Fr.

Scored 14 points with 9 rebounds and 4 assists; leads team with 20.3 ppg

Thomas Welsh

7-0/245

Jr.

Had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. Portland

3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Buckle up on D

Nebraska has not and probably will not see a team as offensively explosive as UCLA all season. The Bruins came into the Wooden Legacy leading the nation in scoring at 105.3 points per game and having defeated its first four opponents by an average of 27.8 points. Six of UCLA's players are averaging double figures in scoring, led by star freshmen T.J. Leaf (20.3 ppg) and Lonzo Ball (16.3 ppg, 9.0 apg). The Huskers better be ready to put on their best defensive performance yet if they're going to keep this one within reach.

2. Keep attacking the basket

One of the biggest reasons for Nebraska's consistent offensive success vs. a traditionally stout Dayton defense was that it was aggressive in getting to the basket from the opening tip until the final horn. The Huskers out-scored the Flyers in the paint 40-24 and had 46 of their 80 points come inside the 3-point line. NU is at its best when it creates its offense by driving to the hoop, and that must be the game plan again tonight and for the rest of the season.

3. Improve the perimeter defense

Nebraska was very fortunate that Dayton only made 10 of its 24 attempts from beyond the arc on Thursday night, because the Flyers had numerous open looks that could have made that total much higher. Dayton was able to drive the lane, draw NU's defenders in, and kick out to a wide-open shooter for 3-pointers far too often, and that sparked two key rallies that nearly cost Nebraska the game. If the Huskers are counting on team as potent as UCLA to have an off night from 3-point range, they're going to have some serious problems.

QUOTABLE 

"At the end of the day, we were really good offensively. I think that helped us a great deal. When I look at Dayton, we got them in the paint, where I thought we could. We had an excellent team effort that set the tone defensively early and ran an excellent offense early."

- Head coach Tim Miles on Nebraska's win over Dayton

PREDICTION

UCLA 81, Nebraska 72

Robin's season record: 4-0