Published Dec 20, 2017
Hoops Gameday: Nebraska vs. UTSA
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Robin Washut  •  InsideNebraska
Senior Writer
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@RobinWashut

Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-5, 1-1) vs. Texas-San Antonio Roadrunner (7-5, 0-0)

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017 - 7:00 p.m.

Pinnacle Bank Arena

TV: BTN

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: BTN2Go

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Nebraska projected starters
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES

Glynn Watson

6-0/174

Jr.

Scored 11 points with three assists in Nebraska's 73-72 loss to Kansas.

Evan Taylor

6-5/206

Sr.

Finished with six points and a team-high four assists vs. the Jayhawks.

James Palmer

6-6/210

Jr.

Had his 11th double-figure scoring effort in 12 games with 14 points along with a season-high eight rebounds vs. Kansas.

Isaac Copeland

6-9/221

Jr.

Scored 12 points with a team-high nine rebounds in loss to Kansas.

Jordy Tshimanga

6-11/268

So.

Had two points, one assist, and four fouls in 10 minutes of work against Kansas.

UTSA projected starters
NAMEHT/WTYEARNOTES

Keaton Wallace

6-3/170

Fr.

Second on team with 15.0 points per game and has made a team-high 34 3-pointers this season.

Byron Frohnen

6-6/215

So.

Scoring 7.0 points and leads team with 7.3 rebounds per game.

Giovanni De Nicolao

6-3/175

So.

Averages 8.5 points and a team-high 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

Austin Karrer

6-4/190

Sr.

Averaging 4.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Nick Allen

6-8/215

Jr.

Averaging 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 56.9 percent from the field.

3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Get to the foul line

There might not be a more concerning stat for Nebraska over the past two games than its inability to get the free throw line. In losses to Creighton and Kansas, the Huskers attempted a total of 11 free throws, making just eight of those. While NU has definitely improved its shooting from previous years, the strength of the offense is attacking the rim and operating inside and then out. Guys like James Palmer, Glynn Watson, Evan Taylor, and Isaac Copeland have to be more aggressive and create contact in the lane to even out the foul shot disparity going forward.

2. Change Jordy's role

No player is struggling more for Nebraska right now than Jordy Tshimanga. While he's remained in the starting lineup for the first 12 games, the sophomore center is averaging just 2.9 points on 31.1 percent shooting from the field and is playing just 15.7 minutes a night. He's also still committed more fouls on the season (38) than he's scored points (35). The Huskers need to change up the lineup and give sophomore forward Isaiah Roby the start not only to put their best five on the floor to open the game, but to also maybe give Tshimanga a boost by coming off the bench. Head coach Tim Miles said that probably won't be in the cards tonight, but another poor showing vs. UTSA could be the final straw.

3. Don't let Kansas beat you twice

The old cliche in a situation like what Nebraska's facing now is that it can't afford to let its heartbreaking near upset of Kansas linger into tonight and potentially cost it another loss. Given how visibly emotional and upset the Huskers were after the KU game, it will be crucial that they find a way to put the defeat behind them and turn their full attention to UTSA, a sneaky good mid-major who gave Tulsa (100-96) and Oklahoma (97-85) all they could handle.

QUOTABLE

"We were all in it together. I just said, 'Listen guys. I'm proud of you. They just made one more play than we did. That's they way I see it. That's the way I look at it. Don't let this game beat us twice. "
Head coach Tim Miles on the importance of NU bouncing back strong after its loss to Kansas

PREDICTION

Nebraska 83-71

Robin's season record: 10-2

vs. the spread: 5-7