The Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers are set to face off against the Iowa Hawkeyes in a crucial Big Ten matchup, with Nebraska looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses, including a 72-75 defeat at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines, where they were outscored by 5 points in the second half, and a 69-78 loss to Illinois, where they allowed the Fighting Illini to shoot 51.9% from the field. Over their last 5 games, Nebraska has averaged 73.2 points per game, while allowing 70 points per game, resulting in a 2-3 record during that stretch. Meanwhile, Iowa is riding a two-game winning streak, having defeated the Oregon Ducks 84-66 and the Washington Huskies 84-74, with an average margin of victory of 10 points. The Hawkeyes have been averaging 74.2 points per game over their last 5 games, while allowing 73 points per game, resulting in a 3-2 record during that stretch.
Nebraska's recent struggles can be attributed to their inability to close out games, having lost two of their last three games by a margin of 3 points or less. However, they still boast an impressive 22-3 overall record and an 11-3 conference record, with a 5-3 record in Quad 1 games. The Cornhuskers have been led by their strong defense, which has allowed just 65.5 points per game over their last 10 games, with a defensive efficiency rating of 92.1. On the other hand, Iowa has been fueled by their high-powered offense, which has scored 80 points or more in three of their last five games, including an 84-66 win over Oregon, where they shot 54.5% from the field. The Hawkeyes have also been impressive on the glass, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 4.5 rebounds per game over their last 5 games.
Nebraska's Dominant Defense
One player to watch in this matchup is Nebraska's leading scorer, who has been on a tear lately, averaging 21.5 points per game over his last 5 games, including a 28-point performance against Rutgers. He will be matched up against Iowa's stingy defense, which has allowed just 42.1% shooting from the field over their last 5 games. Another key matchup will be between Iowa's big man and Nebraska's interior defense, which has allowed just 44.7% shooting from the field in the paint over their last 10 games. The Hawkeyes' big man has been dominant in the paint, averaging 18.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game over his last 5 games, including a 22-point, 10-rebound performance against Northwestern.
As the game approaches, it's clear that Nebraska is the favored team, with a predicted score of 74-69 in their favor, according to the CHD Scout prediction.
CHD Scout Prediction
Nebraska
74
Iowa
69
This prediction is based on Nebraska's strong defense and their ability to limit Iowa's offense, which has been averaging 74.2 points per game over their last 5 games. The Cornhuskers have been impressive on the defensive end, allowing just 65.5 points per game over their last 10 games, with a defensive efficiency rating of 92.1. Additionally, Nebraska has been dominant on the glass, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 5.5 rebounds per game over their last 10 games. However, Iowa's offense has been clicking lately, with an average of 84 points per game over their last two games, including an 84-66 win over Oregon, where they shot 54.5% from the field.
The implications of this game are significant, particularly for Nebraska, which is firmly on the top-16 seed line. A win would solidify their position and give them a strong chance of earning a top-4 seed in the tournament. On the other hand, a loss would drop them to 22-4 and put them in a precarious position, with several tough games remaining on their schedule. For Iowa, a win would be a significant boost to their resume, particularly given that it would be a Quad 1 victory.
A win for the Hawkeyes would move them up to 19-7 on the season and give them a strong chance of earning a top-4 seed in the tournament. However, a loss would drop them to 18-8 and put them in a tough position, with several tough games remaining on their schedule. The Hawkeyes' tournament hopes are still very much alive, but they need to string together some wins to feel secure. Nebraska, on the other hand, is in a strong position, but a loss would give them their third consecutive defeat and put them in a precarious position. The Cornhuskers need to bounce back from their recent struggles and get back to their winning ways if they want to stay in contention for a top seed in the tournament.
In terms of recent form, Nebraska has been struggling, having lost two of their last three games, including a 72-75 loss to Michigan and a 69-78 loss to Illinois. However, they have been dominant at home, with a 13-1 record at Pinnacle Bank Arena, including an 80-68 win over Rutgers, where they shot 51.9% from the field. Iowa, on the other hand, has been impressive on the road, with a 7-3 record away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including an 84-66 win over Oregon, where they shot 54.5% from the field. The Hawkeyes have also been strong in conference play, with an 8-6 record in the Big Ten, including a 76-70 win over Northwestern, where they outrebounded the Wildcats by 10. The Cornhuskers have been equally impressive in conference play, with an 11-3 record in the Big Ten, including a 68-49 win over Northwestern, where they held the Wildcats to just 34.6% shooting from the field.
The trends suggest that this game will be a closely contested affair, with both teams having shown the ability to score and defend at a high level. Nebraska's defense has been impressive, allowing just 65.5 points per game over their last 10 games, with a defensive efficiency rating of 92.1. Iowa's offense, on the other hand, has been clicking lately, with an average of 84 points per game over their last two games, including an 84-66 win over Oregon, where they shot 54.5% from the field. The Hawkeyes have also been strong on the glass, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 4.5 rebounds per game over their last 5 games. However, Nebraska has been dominant on the glass, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 5.5 rebounds per game over their last 10 games. The Cornhuskers have also been impressive from beyond the arc, shooting 41.2% from three-point range over their last 5 games, including a 10-20 performance from three-point range against Rutgers.