Nebraska Faces Penn State in Final Game of Eastern Road Swing
Nebraska’s men’s basketball team wraps up its two-game eastern road trip with a matchup against Penn State on Wednesday night. The Huskers will take on the Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, with tipoff shortly after 5:30 p.m. (central). The game will be broadcast on BTN and the Huskers Radio Network, as well as available on Huskers.com, the Huskers app, and the Fox Sports App.
In their last outing, Nebraska (17-9, 7-8 B1G) staged an impressive comeback to defeat Northwestern 68-64. Trailing by 20 points early in the second half, the Huskers rallied to outscore the Wildcats 47-23 the rest of the way. Brice Williams led the charge with 22 points, supported by Juwan Gary (17) and Braxton Meah (10) in the remarkable comeback. This victory marked a significant milestone as it had been seven years since a Big Ten team overcame a 20-point deficit on the road.
Brice Williams and Juwan Gary have been key players for the Huskers in recent games, but Braxton Meah made a crucial contribution in the victory over Northwestern. Meah’s solid performance included tying or setting season-best figures in rebounds (seven) and blocked shots (two). Since Berke Büyüktuncel’s injury, Meah has stepped up, averaging 6.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in the last two games.
Meanwhile, Penn State (13-13, 3-12) is looking to bounce back from a tough 75-73 loss to Washington. Ace Baldwin Jr. led the Nittany Lions with 20 points, eight assists, and six steals in a close contest. Penn State faces a critical juncture as they aim to secure a place in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament and will be motivated to perform well against Nebraska.
Key Points to Note:
Nebraska’s Strong Performance:
– Nebraska ranks No. 46 heading into the Penn State game, in the midst of a challenging eight-game stretch featuring six Quad 1 matchups.
– The Huskers have excelled on the road, seeking their fourth consecutive road win against Penn State.
– Coach Fred Hoiberg is on the verge of tying for eighth place on Nebraska’s career wins list.
Top Performers:
– Brice Williams continues his impressive form with his sixth consecutive 20-point game against Northwestern.
– Nebraska has achieved success against ranked opponents, displaying resilience in tight matchups.
Father-Son Milestone:
– Brice and Henry Williams became the seventh father-son duo to combine for 4,000+ career points at the college level.
– Brice is nearing the 1,000-point mark at Nebraska, following in his father’s footsteps.
Bench Strength:
– Nebraska’s depth has been a key asset, with six players averaging at least 7.2 points per game.
– Connor Essegian has emerged as a valuable sixth man for the Huskers, contributing significantly off the bench.
Outlook on Penn State:
– Penn State, led by Coach Mike Rhoades, faces Nebraska with a balanced offensive lineup.
– Senior guard Ace Baldwin Jr. spearheads the Nittany Lions, supported by impactful newcomers Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Nick Kern.
Series History:
– The upcoming game marks the 28th meeting between Nebraska and Penn State, with the Nittany Lions holding a slim 14-13 advantage.
– Nebraska has had a competitive record against Penn State since joining the Big Ten, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup.
As Nebraska and Penn State clash in their final showdown of the eastern road swing, both teams will aim to showcase their strengths and secure a crucial victory. With Nebraska’s recent momentum and Penn State’s resilience, this matchup promises to be a compelling battle on the basketball court.