Nebraska and Penn State are trending in different directions, to say the least.
The Cornhuskers hope to continue pushing toward an NCAA Tournament berth Wednesday when they visit the Nittany Lions, who are desperate to end a long losing streak.
Nebraska (17-9, 7-8 Big Ten) has earned four wins against ranked opponents this season, including recent victories over then-No. 18 Illinois and then-No. 16 Oregon during its current 5-1 stretch.
In their last matchup, the Cornhuskers nipped host Northwestern 68-64 on Sunday by rallying from a 20-point deficit. Leading scorer Brice Williams (19.5 points per game) scored 15 of his 21 points after halftime, while Juwan Gary tallied 13 of his 17 points after intermission, helping Nebraska storm to another league victory.
“As I told the guys after the game,” said Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg, “it just goes to show you what we’re capable of when we play the right way, when we play with an edge.”
Hoiberg also singled out center Braxton Meah (10 points, seven rebounds) in his postgame press conference. Meah had totaled nine points and 14 rebounds in his previous six games.
Meanwhile, Penn State (13-13, 3-12) has lost seven straight and 11 of its last 12.
The Nittany Lions came close to knocking off visiting Washington in their most recent contest Saturday, but fell short 75-73. Leading scorer Ace Baldwin Jr. (14.0 ppg) was one of the bright spots with 20 points, eight assists and six steals, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser chipped in 10 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Penn State allowed Washington to shoot 11 of 23 from 3-point range as defense continued to be a major issue. The team has allowed at least 75 points six times during its seven-game skid.
“There’s only so many opportunities in your life you get up to put on a uniform in any sport that you pursue, and we have (five) games left here,” Penn State coach Mike Rhoades said. “Let’s put them on with pride and knowing that you lose these opportunities, right? There’s only a few (games) left to try to have pride, to take advantage of them.”
The Cornhuskers won last season’s matchup with the Nittany Lions, 68-49, in Lincoln, Neb.
–Field Level Media
