Nebraska Basketball Game Day: Colorado

Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-0) vs Colorado Buffaloes (0-0)

Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021 – 11 a.m.

Pinnacle Bank Arena

TV: None

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: BTN+ (streamed for free)

1. Attack the glass

It’s no secret that Nebraska’s most significant weakness this season, as it’s been most years, is rebounding.

Even against a Peru State team that didn’t have a player taller than 6-foot-8, the Huskers struggled to control the glass on either end of the floor and only ended up with a 33-32 overall rebounding edge.

The Bobcats hauled in seven offensive boards for 14 second-chance points, often with Nebraska crashing the defensive glass with four or even five guys.

Colorado will be a much more formidable challenge in that department today. The Buffaloes boast eight players listed at 6-8 or taller and return several key pieces from a team that ranked third in the Pac-12 in rebounding margin (4.2).

2. Push the pace

When Nebraska gets defensive rebounds or creates turnovers, it can be as dangerous as anyone in offensive transition.

With as many as five players on the floor that can run the break at any time, few opponents will be able to run with the Huskers for an entire game.

Colorado is an athletic team with talented scorers in its own right, but it’s unlikely that head coach Tad Boyle will want to get into a track meet with NU.

If Nebraska can dictate the pace and keep CU off-balance on both ends, it would go a long way in countering the Buffs’ advantage with their size and physicality in the post.

3. Hit your threes

Head coach Fred Hoiberg said this offseason that one of the most noticeable upgrades his team had made this year was its perimeter shooting.

We saw some of that in the exhibition vs. Peru State, as the Huskers hit 11-of-22 from behind the arc and had six players with at least one made three.

But the shooting didn’t start that hot, as NU missed its first five attempts and went just 4-for-13 in the first half before finishing 7-of-9 in the second.

Nebraska likely won’t have the luxury today of being able to warm up on the fly like it did last time out, so it needs to come out firing and set the tone from the jump.

Colorado 77, Nebraska 74

Robin’s season record: 1-0

vs. the spread: 0-0