Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Indiana Hoosiers Picks and Predictions December 13th 2024

Indiana Seeks to Extend Winning Streak Against Nebraska

The Indiana Hoosiers (8-2, 1-0 Big Ten) visit the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-2, 0-1) on Friday night in Lincoln, Neb., aiming to end a three-game losing streak in the series. Indiana has momentum with four consecutive wins and a dominant start to Big Ten play, but Nebraska looks to rebound after a tough loss to Michigan State.

Hoosiers’ Balanced Attack Leads the Way

Indiana’s success this season has been powered by its inside game, led by center Oumar Ballo and forward Malik Reneau. Ballo, a transfer from Arizona, averages 13.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while Reneau contributes a team-high 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Reneau has been particularly efficient, shooting over 60 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line, making him one of the most versatile big men in the nation.

Head coach Mike Woodson praised his team’s effort but emphasized maintaining consistency:
“When you get a team down 15, 20 points, you got to remember how you got them down and continue to do the same things that got you the lead.”

The Hoosiers are coming off an 82-67 win over Minnesota, where they controlled the game early but struggled to maintain intensity late.

Nebraska Looks to Bounce Back

Nebraska started the season strong, highlighted by a win over then-No. 14 Creighton, but their most recent outing was a blowout 89-52 loss to Michigan State. In that game, Nebraska allowed the Spartans to shoot over 50 percent from the field and were dominated on the boards, being outrebounded 48-19.

Head coach Fred Hoiberg stressed the need for physicality:
“The physicality of the game in this league … we’re going to see it every night. I’ve been pleased with how they’ve responded, but we’ll see how they step up to the challenge Friday night.”

For Nebraska, improved defense and rebounding will be critical to staying competitive against Indiana’s strong frontcourt. On offense, the Cornhuskers are dangerous when scoring in volume. They are 4-0 this season when scoring at least 80 points and 38-2 under Hoiberg in such games.

Key Players to Watch

Indiana Hoosiers:

• Malik Reneau: The versatile forward is Indiana’s leading scorer and a matchup nightmare in the paint.
• Oumar Ballo: The transfer center is a double-double threat and a force on the boards.

Nebraska Cornhuskers:

• Brice Williams: Nebraska’s top scorer at 17.5 points per game, he will need a strong performance to keep the Huskers competitive.
• Connor Essegian: A sharpshooter hitting 42.6 percent from beyond the arc, Essegian can stretch Indiana’s defense.

Keys to the Game

Indiana Hoosiers:

• Dominate the Paint: Use their size advantage with Ballo and Reneau to control the boards and score inside.
• Sustain Defensive Intensity: Avoid lapses late in the game to maintain control if they build a lead.

Nebraska Cornhuskers:

• Improved Rebounding: Address the rebounding issues that hurt them against Michigan State to limit Indiana’s second-chance points.
• Exploit the Perimeter: Utilize Essegian and other shooters to challenge Indiana’s defense from beyond the arc.

Outlook

Indiana’s balanced attack and superior size make them the favorites, but Nebraska has shown it can compete with high-level opponents. For the Cornhuskers to pull off an upset, they’ll need to rebound effectively and take advantage of scoring opportunities from deep. With Indiana looking to maintain momentum, this Big Ten clash promises an intriguing battle.