Indiana Basketball Game Preview: Nebraska – key storylines, injury report, how to watch

Indiana basketball is set for their second Big Ten game of the season with a tough road trip on tap facing the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Hoosiers are coming off a win vs Minnesota to start the Big Ten season 1-0.

The Cornhuskers enter the game with a record of 6-2 overall (0-1 Big Ten) and a 5-0 mark at home under sixth-year head coach Fred Hoiberg. Senior wing Brice Williams leads Nebraska in scoring at 17.5 points per night. Junior guard Connor Essegian adds 13.0 points per outing with a team-best 20 made 3-pointers. Senior forward Juwan Gary averages 10.6 points and 4.4 boards per game.

Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET and will be on FOX.

Below is the full preview of Indiana basketball at Nebraska.

Key Indiana basketball Storylines

First true road game

Yes, Indiana basketball has played outside of Assembly Hall this season already, but that was a neutral site game and honestly, we will just leave it at that cause we already know what happened there.

Tonight, Indiana not only has its second Big Ten game this week but also has its first true road game at Nebraska. This is place that since Mike Woodson has took over, Indiana basketball is just 1-1 at.

It will be interesting to see how this team fairs on the road in somewhat hostile environment. This team’s toughness has been questioned at times this season and in order to win on the road, you have to play with a tough mindset.

It does not have to be pretty, but getting a win on the road would be great for this Indiana basketball team.

This Indiana basketball bench starting to be a strength

It may have taken awhile, but slowly this second unit of Indiana basketball is starting to come into there own. Last game was a perfect example of it with strong play from Kanaan Carlyle, Bryson Tucker, and Luke Goode.

Carlyle, who was a starter before his injury, looked so much more comfortable coming off the bench and having senior guard Trey Galloway remain as a starter. Tucker had his best game of the season and Goode has been strong piece as of late making his shots and defending.

Also throw in guys like Anthony Leal and Langdon Hatton who have always shown to be ready when their name is called, this unit is deep, even with Gabe Cupps being sidelined for the foreseeable future.

If the second unit is playing strong consistently, that takes so much pressure off the starters. Will be very curious to see what they do tonight.

Remember: You got smacked by Nebraska three times last year

For the players that returned from last year’s team and the coaching staff, it is time to take a game personal. This Nebraska game needs to have a new level focus heading into it.

Last year, Nebraska had Indiana numbers in embarrassing fashion. They played three times, home-and-home and Big Ten Tournament, and the Cornhuskers smacked the Hoosiers all three times by an average of 19.3 points. Indiana basketball had zero answers to counter them.

You would hope going into this game, some pride would be on the mind of the people from last year’s Indiana basketball team. Getting embarrassed three times like that is not something anybody wants to have happened to them.

These teams are completely different than last year’s squads, but for the runs that experienced the three games, it should mean much more.

Series History

Indiana holds a 19-10 series advantage against Nebraska. The Hoosiers carried a seven-game winning streak into last season before the Huskers won all three matchups in 2024.

Mackenzie Mgbako averaged 14.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game against Nebraska last season. Malik Reneau added 12.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per outing. Reneau shot 54.2% (13-of-24) from the field and 90.0% (9-of-10) from the free throw line.

The Hoosiers last won in Lincoln on Jan. 17, 2022, by a score of 78-71. All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis tallied 23 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.

Indiana basketball Injury Updates

Gabe Cupps: Indiana basketball sophomore guard Gabe Cupps underwent a successful surgery to treat a preexisting, nagging injury to his lower body. He will be out indefinitely.

Quick Hitters

Who?: Indiana (7-2) (2-0) at Nebraska (6-2) (0-1)

When?: Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 • 8 p.m. ET

Where?: Pinnacle Bank Arena

TV: FOX (Brandon Gaudin, LaPhonso Ellis)

Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)

Betting Lines: Indiana is listed as a 4-point underdog.

SEE ALSO: Indiana Basketball opens Big Ten play with 15-point win over Minnesota

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