Nebraska-Omaha's Paul Djobet stole the show at the Swinney Center, leading his team to a resounding 77-60 victory over Missouri-Kansas City. Djobet's impressive double-double, consisting of 23 points and 11 rebounds, was the catalyst for Omaha's dominant performance. The win marked a successful prediction by CHD Scout, who had Omaha winning by 5.6 points, although the actual margin of 17 points far exceeded expectations.
From the outset, Omaha asserted its control, taking a commanding 44-34 lead into halftime. Kansas City's Kasheem Grady II tried to keep his team afloat, scoring 15 points, but it wasn't enough to counter Omaha's balanced attack. Tony Osburn and Christian Richardson chipped in with 12 points each for Omaha, while Chris Dockery and Jayson Petty added 10 and 9 points, respectively, for Kansas City.
The second half saw Omaha continue to pull away, outscoring Kansas City 33-26 to seal the win. Djobet's performance was a key factor in Omaha's success, as he consistently found ways to score and rebound against the Kansas City defense. His 11 rebounds helped Omaha gain a significant advantage on the glass, outrebounding Kansas City by a considerable margin.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The win improves Omaha's record to 10-12, while Kansas City falls to 4-17. Although the result wasn't an upset, given the teams' respective records, it's a significant win for Omaha in terms of building momentum and bolstering its resume. As a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, the outcome won't drastically alter their tournament chances, but it's a positive step for Omaha nonetheless.
Omaha's net ranking of 268, according to the current metrics, suggests the team still has work to do to become a serious tournament contender. However, with performances like Djobet's, the Mavericks demonstrate they have the talent to compete against weaker opponents. Kansas City, on the other hand, remains at the bottom of the rankings, with a net ranking of 347, and must drastically improve its performance to avoid a disappointing season.
The convincing win for Omaha reinforces the pre-game prediction, which had the Mavericks winning by a slim margin. Instead, they delivered a resounding victory, showcasing their potential when playing to their strengths. As the season progresses, Omaha want to build on this win, aiming to climb the rankings and make a push for a postseason berth. For now, the Mavericks can take pride in a dominant performance, led by the outstanding efforts of Paul Djobet.