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HOUSTON — For the third time in a little more than one month, Iowa and Nebraska will meet on the hardwood.
The Hawkeyes took the first game in a 57-52 rockfight. The Cornhuskers got their revenge with a nine-point overtime win in Lincoln. And now, the two teams will face off in the most consequential of the three contests: A rubber match with a ticket to the Elite 8 on the line.
Here are some keys to the game, using the context from the first two clashes.
The former Hawkeye, who averages a team-high 17.9 points per game this season, possesses a game-changing scoring ability.
Bennett Stirtz did an outstanding job disrupting Sandfort in the first matchup. Sandfort had just 13 points and was just 3-of-7 from the field and 2-of-6 from deep. In the second meeting, Sandfort had 15 points and was actually more inefficient shooting than in the first game, but he made a bigger impact in other areas, dishing out five assists and grabbing seven rebounds. For comparison, Sandfort had zero assists and zero rebounds in Iowa City.
Like his older brother Payton, who scored more than 1,600 points in his Iowa career, Pryce can be a microwave scorer. It could be trouble for Iowa if they let Sandfort dictate the terms offensively with his scoring and passing.
The Hawkeyes put on an incredible defensive display against Nebraska in Iowa City, holding the Cornhuskers to just 41% from the field and 21% from the three-point line. Nebraska’s 52 points are tied for the fewest the team has scored in a game this season.
But it was a different story in Lincoln. Nebraska scored 84 points on a much more efficient 50% from the field and 37% from the field. The Cornhuskers had seven players score at least six points, including four in double-figures.
More: The eccentric quirks and superstitions of Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum
It would benefit Iowa to make this a low-scoring, low-possession game. Getting into an offensive shootout with Nebraska would not be ideal, as the Cornhuskers are much more built to win a high-scoring affair.
Nebraska runs such great offensive actions under head coach Fred Hoiberg, which is part of what makes them such a challenge to guard. But if the Hawkeyes defend at a high-level, they should at least give themselves a chance.
For Iowa simply not to get blown out of the water on the glass would’ve been a positive development against a physically imposing Florida team. But improbably, the Hawkeyes did far better than that. The rebounding battle was tied 27-27 overall. The Hawkeyes had one more offensive rebound than the Gators (10-9) and outscored them in second-chance points, 7-6.
Iowa is much more comparable to Nebraska from a physical and athletic standpoint than other teams it has faced this season, including Florida. That makes this Sweet 16 matchup more manageable than it could’ve been.
More: Iowa basketball's turn in national spotlight gives Hawkeyes program fuel for future
Iowa was clearly the tougher team the first time around against Nebraska. The Hawkeyes outrebounded the Cornhuskers 37-24 overall, including a 12-2 advantage on the offensive boards.
The Hawkeyes held the edge on the glass in the second matchup, but it was much less decisive. Iowa grabbed 32 rebounds to Nebraska's 29. Offensive boards were just seven to five.
Rebounding, effort and defense are more controllable than whether shots are going down. The more those areas tilt in Iowa’s favor, the better.
The Hawkeyes’ ball security in Lincoln was abysmal as the team committed 19 turnovers. Iowa was fortunate that Nebraska only had seven points off turnovers. But those were still empty possessions for the Hawkeyes on the offensive end.
Free throws were not good enough in Lincoln, either. Iowa was just 10-of-15 from the charity stripe. The first time these two teams played, Iowa was a near-perfect 17-of-18. If Iowa can put Nebraska in binds defensively and force them to foul, it’s important that they capitalize by making free throws. This is something that Iowa struggled with against Florida, converting on just 14-of-22 from the charity stripe. If the Hawkeyes had fallen short against the Gators, free-throw shooting would’ve loomed large.
More: What it'll take in decisive Round 3 between Iowa, Nebraska | Leistikow
Closing out games against elite teams has not been a strength for Iowa this season. There have been plenty of examples in which the Hawkeyes have come up just short, including Iowa State and Purdue on the road, and Michigan at home.
The Hawkeyes have been on both ends of the spectrum against the Cornhuskers this season. Iowa delivered down the stretch against Nebraska in Iowa City. After Kael Combs’ game-tying 3-pointer in regulation on the road, the Hawkeyes crumbled in overtime and were outscored 14-5 in the extra period.
The fact that Iowa came through with heroics against Florida is a positive sign in its ability to deliver in crunch time. But it's still not a sure thing, given the Hawkeyes' track record this season.
There are a couple of scenarios that could be disastrous for the Hawkeyes. One, Iowa has a total letdown after an emotional high against Florida. Two, Nebraska goes nuclear offensively.
Iowa has been vulnerable to giving up big runs. The Hawkeyes did a similar dance in losses to Michigan, Nebraska (the second time) and Ohio State (in the Big Ten Tournament) late in the season, where they dug themselves sizeable second half holes. So when Nebraska does go on a run, it's crucial that Iowa doesn't let it balloon out of control
If Iowa can execute the way it did against Florida — controlling the tempo, being physical and getting contributions from a variety of players — there’s reason to believe the Hawkeyes can take down the Cornhuskers for the second time this season.
Iowa 72, Nebraska 69
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa basketball vs. Nebraska keys to game, Sweet 16 prediction
Continue reading...
The Hawkeyes took the first game in a 57-52 rockfight. The Cornhuskers got their revenge with a nine-point overtime win in Lincoln. And now, the two teams will face off in the most consequential of the three contests: A rubber match with a ticket to the Elite 8 on the line.
Here are some keys to the game, using the context from the first two clashes.
Can Iowa contain Pryce Sandfort?
The former Hawkeye, who averages a team-high 17.9 points per game this season, possesses a game-changing scoring ability.
Bennett Stirtz did an outstanding job disrupting Sandfort in the first matchup. Sandfort had just 13 points and was just 3-of-7 from the field and 2-of-6 from deep. In the second meeting, Sandfort had 15 points and was actually more inefficient shooting than in the first game, but he made a bigger impact in other areas, dishing out five assists and grabbing seven rebounds. For comparison, Sandfort had zero assists and zero rebounds in Iowa City.
Like his older brother Payton, who scored more than 1,600 points in his Iowa career, Pryce can be a microwave scorer. It could be trouble for Iowa if they let Sandfort dictate the terms offensively with his scoring and passing.
Which Iowa defense shows up?
The Hawkeyes put on an incredible defensive display against Nebraska in Iowa City, holding the Cornhuskers to just 41% from the field and 21% from the three-point line. Nebraska’s 52 points are tied for the fewest the team has scored in a game this season.
But it was a different story in Lincoln. Nebraska scored 84 points on a much more efficient 50% from the field and 37% from the field. The Cornhuskers had seven players score at least six points, including four in double-figures.
More: The eccentric quirks and superstitions of Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum
It would benefit Iowa to make this a low-scoring, low-possession game. Getting into an offensive shootout with Nebraska would not be ideal, as the Cornhuskers are much more built to win a high-scoring affair.
Nebraska runs such great offensive actions under head coach Fred Hoiberg, which is part of what makes them such a challenge to guard. But if the Hawkeyes defend at a high-level, they should at least give themselves a chance.
Can Iowa bully Nebraska physically?
For Iowa simply not to get blown out of the water on the glass would’ve been a positive development against a physically imposing Florida team. But improbably, the Hawkeyes did far better than that. The rebounding battle was tied 27-27 overall. The Hawkeyes had one more offensive rebound than the Gators (10-9) and outscored them in second-chance points, 7-6.
Iowa is much more comparable to Nebraska from a physical and athletic standpoint than other teams it has faced this season, including Florida. That makes this Sweet 16 matchup more manageable than it could’ve been.
More: Iowa basketball's turn in national spotlight gives Hawkeyes program fuel for future
Iowa was clearly the tougher team the first time around against Nebraska. The Hawkeyes outrebounded the Cornhuskers 37-24 overall, including a 12-2 advantage on the offensive boards.
The Hawkeyes held the edge on the glass in the second matchup, but it was much less decisive. Iowa grabbed 32 rebounds to Nebraska's 29. Offensive boards were just seven to five.
Rebounding, effort and defense are more controllable than whether shots are going down. The more those areas tilt in Iowa’s favor, the better.
Doing the little things
The Hawkeyes’ ball security in Lincoln was abysmal as the team committed 19 turnovers. Iowa was fortunate that Nebraska only had seven points off turnovers. But those were still empty possessions for the Hawkeyes on the offensive end.
Free throws were not good enough in Lincoln, either. Iowa was just 10-of-15 from the charity stripe. The first time these two teams played, Iowa was a near-perfect 17-of-18. If Iowa can put Nebraska in binds defensively and force them to foul, it’s important that they capitalize by making free throws. This is something that Iowa struggled with against Florida, converting on just 14-of-22 from the charity stripe. If the Hawkeyes had fallen short against the Gators, free-throw shooting would’ve loomed large.
More: What it'll take in decisive Round 3 between Iowa, Nebraska | Leistikow
Closing out games against elite teams has not been a strength for Iowa this season. There have been plenty of examples in which the Hawkeyes have come up just short, including Iowa State and Purdue on the road, and Michigan at home.
The Hawkeyes have been on both ends of the spectrum against the Cornhuskers this season. Iowa delivered down the stretch against Nebraska in Iowa City. After Kael Combs’ game-tying 3-pointer in regulation on the road, the Hawkeyes crumbled in overtime and were outscored 14-5 in the extra period.
The fact that Iowa came through with heroics against Florida is a positive sign in its ability to deliver in crunch time. But it's still not a sure thing, given the Hawkeyes' track record this season.
Iowa vs. Nebraska prediction
There are a couple of scenarios that could be disastrous for the Hawkeyes. One, Iowa has a total letdown after an emotional high against Florida. Two, Nebraska goes nuclear offensively.
Iowa has been vulnerable to giving up big runs. The Hawkeyes did a similar dance in losses to Michigan, Nebraska (the second time) and Ohio State (in the Big Ten Tournament) late in the season, where they dug themselves sizeable second half holes. So when Nebraska does go on a run, it's crucial that Iowa doesn't let it balloon out of control
If Iowa can execute the way it did against Florida — controlling the tempo, being physical and getting contributions from a variety of players — there’s reason to believe the Hawkeyes can take down the Cornhuskers for the second time this season.
Iowa 72, Nebraska 69
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa basketball vs. Nebraska keys to game, Sweet 16 prediction
Continue reading...
