Pryce Sandfort’s 20 and Cale Jacobsen’s career-high 16 got the headlines in Nebraska’s 106-64 opener. The second wave might decide Saturday. The Huskers got 48 points from their reserves against Le Moyne, including 35 from Connor Essegian (13), Damon Wilkinson (11) and Jacob Lanier (11).
Why the bench is the story against Providence
Providence opened with an 83-56 win over Maine built on pressure: 23 turnovers forced, 17 steals (seven from Miles Byrd) and a 29-6 edge in points off turnovers. First-year coach Bryan Hodgson turned over nearly the entire roster. If the Friars speed Nebraska up at Mohegan Sun Arena, Fred Hoiberg will need clean minutes from the next group.
- Essegian, a fifth-year senior, played only seven games last season after a November injury. Two years ago he averaged 10.7 points.
- Wilkinson and Lanier are part of an eight-newcomer class that replaced four starters from the Sweet 16 team.
- Nebraska is 53-10 under Hoiberg when scoring 80 or more and has won 18 straight games of 80-plus after Monday.
Saturday’s setup
Tip is 6 p.m. CT on FS1 in Uncasville, Conn., the featured game of the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off. Nebraska’s school-record 23-game regular-season non-conference win streak is on the line. Adam Giardino and Donny Marshall have the TV call. Kent Pavelka and Jake Muhleisen are on the Huskers Radio Network in Pavelka’s final season behind the mic.
Featured image: Photo: Michael Barera. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nebraska_vs._Michigan_men’s_basketball_2015_03.jpg.
