Nebraska Basketball Game Day: North Carolina State

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Published Dec 1, 2021

Nebraska Basketball Game Day: North Carolina State

Robin Washut • InsideNebraska

Senior Writer

@RobinWashut

Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2) vs North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-1)

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 - 6:15 p.m. CT

PNC Arena

TV: ESPNU

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: ESPN App

Nebraska projected starters

NAME	HT/WT	YEAR	NOTES

Alonzo Verge Jr.	6-3/164	Sr.	Ranks second in Big Ten in assists (5.1 apg) with a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Bryce McGowens	6-7/179	Fr.	Was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the second time in three weeks after averaging 20.0 ppg on 50% shooting, 7.0 ppg and 4.0 apg.
Keon Edwards	6-7/204	Fr.	Has started the past four games. Averaging 0.6 points and 1.0 rebounds per game.
Lat Mayen	6-9/217	Jr.	Had just 2 points on 1-of-2 shooting with four fouls in 14 minutes vs. South Dakota.
Derrick Walker	6-9/239	Jr.	Averaging 14.5 points per game while hitting 25-of-27 shots from the field during NU's four-game winning streak.

North Carolina State projected starters

NAME	HT	YEAR	NOTES

Cam Hayes	6-3	So.	Scoring 11.7 points per game and has a nearly 5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Casey Morsell	6-3	Jr.	Averaging 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.
Dereon Seabron	6-7	So.	Ranks 4th in the ACC in scoring (18.8 ppg), 2nd in rebounding (9.8 rpg), 4th in field goal percentage (.603) and 2nd in steals (2.7 spg).
Jericole Hellems	6-7	Sr.	Second on the team averaging 14.8 points per game with a team-high 13 made 3-pointers.
Ebenezer Dowuona	6-11	So.	Averages 3.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and a team-high 1.8 blocks per game.

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3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1. Handle the press

What immediately jumped out about North Carolina State to Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg was how relentless the Wolfpack were with their full-court pressure defense.

Hoiberg said NCSU would press for the full 40 minutes tonight and swarm to the ball from all angles to try and create turnovers and transition offense.

The Huskers have been fairly good against the limited full-court presses they've faced this season, but this will be unlike anything they've seen yet.

How well NU's guards are able to get the ball up court will be a critical component tonight.

2. Take the right shots

While North Carolina State ranks 43rd nationally in defensive steal percentage (12.2), it generates offense through its defense in more ways than just its press.

Hoiberg said the Wolfpack had been exceptional at creating transition opportunities off blocked shots and missed attempts at the rim.

A team that had struggled mightily with getting its shots blocked the past two years, NU has been much better in that regard this season, ranking 57th nationally in offensive block percentage (6.2).

The key tonight won't just be getting shots off in the paint, but also not trying to force things at the rim that lead to blocks. The next layer to that is making sure to not to rush 3-pointers that allow for transition run-outs off of long rebounds.

The Huskers have to be smarter than ever with the ball, because the Wolfpack will definitely make them pay if they aren't.

3. Rally together on the road

After seven straight games at Pinnacle Bank Arena to start the season, the degree of difficulty ramps up in a major way tonight as Nebraska takes the road for the first time.

Not only will this be the Huskers' first true road environment, but for the first and second-year freshmen on the roster, it will also be their first experience playing in front of an opposing fan base in the stands.

Some players thrive off of having to rally together in a hostile road venue and take on an us-against-the-world mentality. Others might find it a little daunting and let the crowd impact their play.

Hoiberg is about to learn a lot about how his group responds that adversity.

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QUOTABLE

"This is definitely going to be a learning experience, good, bad, or indifferent. Basketball is a game of runs and ups and downs, so we're going to learn some good things about us, learn some bad things about us, and then learn some areas we can improve on."

Freshman guard C.J. Wilcher on what Nebraska will learn about itself in its first road game of the season.

PREDICTION

North Carolina State (-7) 78, Nebraska 73

Robin's season record: 5-2

vs. the spread: 4-3

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