Hoops Game Day: Nebraska vs. McNeese State

Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-0) vs McNeese State Cowboys (0-0)

Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 – 11 a.m. CT

Pinnacle Bank Arena

TV: BTN

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: Fox Sports App

1. Find the lineups that work

When Fred Hoiberg met with media on Tuesday to preview today’s game, he said he still hadn’t even locked in a starting five yet, let alone have a firm grasp on his rotation. The depth, versatility, and interchangeability of this year’s roster provide Nebraska with luxuries it hasn’t had in a long time. But with that, the Huskers will have to figure out on the fly what combinations work the best together and who will be the core group that’s on the court at the end of games in crunch time.

2. Make your 3s

Nebraska was more reliant on the 3-point shot last season than almost any other NU team ever. The Huskers made 7.9 threes per game in 2019-20, which ranked second in school history and was the most since the 2001-02 season. If the Huskers are going to shoot from the perimeter at that rate again this year, they better do it efficiently. In one of the team’s recent scrimmages, the Red and White teams went a combined 17-for-60 (28.3%) from behind the arc. Of the 131 total shot attempts taken in that scrimmage, 45.8% were 3-pointers. It’s one thing to let it fly like that, but you better hit enough of them to make it work.

3. Keep Kuxhausen in check

A former Nebraska high school basketball star will be returning to Pinnacle Bank Arena today, as Scottsbluff, Neb., native Dru Kuxhausen is now a senior guard for McNeese State. Kuxhausen isn’t just a feel-good story of a Nebraska kid coming home, either. The 6-foot transfer from Western Nebraska C.C. led the nation with 125 made 3-pointers last season and ranked top-three nationally in 3-pointers per game (3.9, second) and 3-point percentage (.458, third). Kuxhausen scored 2,110 career points at Scottsbluff HS, ranking 17th all-time among boys in the state of Nebraska. Needless to say, he can light it up, and Nebraska better know where he is on the floor at all times.

Nebraska (-14) 86, McNeese State 70

Robin’s season record: 0-0

vs. the spread: 0-0