Nebraska MBB Recap: Nebraska is Still Undefeated with a 58-56 Win!!

FIRST HALF ANALYSIS:

If you were looking for explosives, then you were in for a large dud in the first 4 minutes of the game. Both teams were playing “brick city nights”, as both teams were a combined 2-13 in the opening 4 minutes, with the score tied at 3. Pryce Sandfort, who averages 15 points a game for Nebraska, picked up his 2nd foul of the half just 5 minutes in, and he promptly sat the entire rest of the half.

Turnovers were a big issue early, as Michigan State had 5 and Nebraska had 3 in the opening 6 minutes. The offenses eventually woke up, specifically Rienk Mast for Nebraska and Jaxon Kohler for Michigan State. Nebraska and Michigan State would eventually trade 6-0 runs and 8-0 runs, leading to an overall even half. The teams went into the locker room with the score tied at 33.

FIRST HALF STATS:

Michigan State shot 11-26 for 42% from the floor. They went 7-17 for 41% from deep and 4-4 from the free-throw line. The Spartans collected 17 rebounds, 2 of which were offensive. Michigan State had 10 turnovers to 9 assists. They had 9 points off of turnovers.

The Spartans were led by Jaxon Kohler, who had 14 points, courtesy of going 5-5 from the floor, including 4 3-pointers. Kur Teng and Carson Cooper each had 4 rebounds. Jeremy Fears Jr. had 4 assists.

Nebraska shot 11-28 for 39% from the floor. They went 8-17 for 47% from deep and 3-3 from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 13 rebounds, 2 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 10 assists to 6 turnovers. They had only 6 points in the paint.

The Huskers were led by Rienk Mast, who had 15 points. Jamarques Lawrence had 10. Berke Buyuktuncel led the way with 3 rebounds. Sam Hoiberg had 4 assists to pace Nebraska.

SECOND HALF ANALYSIS:

The second half started off much like the first half, a lot of brick and low scoring in the opening 4 minutes. Michigan State led 36-35 at the under 16 timeout, if you remember it was 33 apiece at half. Foul trouble immediately ensued for both sides, as Sam Hoiberg and Coen Carr picked up their 3rd fouls in the opening exchanges. Michigan State would go on a terrible scoring drought of 7+ minutes, committing 6 turnovers in the process, but Nebraska went just 1-9 from the floor in that timespan, which kept Michigan State in this ballgame.

Pryce Sandfort committed his 4th foul with just over 10 minutes left, leaving Nebraska without a Bonafide scoring option most of this game. Braden Frager hit a 3 pointer to give Nebraska a 9 point lead with 9:31 left, but was immediately given a technical foul for taunting. Michigan State would then start a rally purely based on free-throws, and Michigan State regained the lead courtesy of a 12-3 run. With the game tied at 55 with 2 minutes left, Nebraska challenges and the review gives the ball to Nebraska.

Mast hits a 3 to give Nebraska a 58-55 lead. Michigan State hits a free-throw to get them within 2. Pryce Sandfort fouls out on a questionable call at best with .7 seconds to go. Carson Cooper missed the first free-throw, purposely missed the second but commits a lane violation. Nebraska runs out the clock and wins.

FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:

Michigan State shot 17-50 for 34% from the floor. They went 10-28 for 36% from deep and 12-16 for 75% from the free-throw line. The Spartans collected 45 rebounds, 11 of which were offensive. Michigan State committed 19 turnovers and had 12 assists. They only had 10 points in the paint.

The Spartans were led by Jaxon Kohler, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jeremy Fears Jr. contributed 14, including going 10-10 from the free-throw line. Carson Cooper had 13 rebounds to lead the way. Fears had 7 assists.

Nebraska shot 18-57 for 32% from the floor. They went 13-37 for 35% from deep and 9-13 for 69% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 31 rebounds, 8 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 15 assists to just 8 turnovers. They only had 10 points in the paint as well.

The Huskers were led by Rienk Mast, who had 19 points and 7 rebounds. Pryce Sandfort had 13 points despite fouling out. Berke Buyuktuncel and Braden Frager had 5 rebounds each. Sam Hoiberg had 5 assists.

This game was the proverbial heavyweight title fight. Both teams came out very slow in the opening exchanges, with multiple shots that were missing, and it was going to turn into a slugfest at some point. It never became a slugfest in the sense they were throwing haymakers at one another trying for the knockout shot, but rather it was a big wang contest on who could land the most body shots. The largest lead of the night was 9 points, which was held by Nebraska, only for it to get immediately erased by Spartan free-throws on multiple possessions.

I’ve tried to convince everyone who will listen to me in some capacity that this team is different. This team was built like the tournament team 2 years ago, but better. Tonight was your proof. Nebraska is currently 14-0 and will threaten the top 10 in the polls next week. I’ve never been so excited to be a Nebrasketball writer/fan. Nebraska travels to Ohio State next. The game is Monday, January 5th at 5:30 pm CST on FS1. Follow this team ladies and gentlemen and enjoy the ride! Go Big Red!!