Column: Scouting the Cornhuskers

WHO Nebraska (9-8, 1-5)
WHAT IU’s chance to snap a two-game losing skid
WHEN 7 tonight
WHERE Lincoln, Neb.
HOW Big Ten Network, IU Radio Network, Live Audio on IUHoosiers.com

Scouting Nebraska

Head coach Doc Sadler, sixth season
Leading scorer Senior guard Bo Spencer No.23, 14.8 ppg
Leading rebounder Junior forward Brandon Ubel No.13, 5.4 rpg
Best win Home against Penn State, 70-58
Worst loss Home against Wake Forest (10-7, 1-2), 55-53

What they do well: On average, opponents score just 61.3 points per game against Nebraska, sixth best in the conference
What needs work: Offense. The Huskers rank dead last in the Big Ten and 305th in the nation in scoring, averaging 61.1 points per game.

Projected starters

Indiana
G Jordan Hulls 12.3 points per game
G Verdell Jones III 8.1
G Victor Oladipo 10.9
F Christian Watford 12.9
F Cody Zeller 14.8

Nebraska
G Bo Spencer 14.8 points per game
G Caleb Walker 6.8
G Brandon Richardson 6.4
G Toney McCray 10.4
F Brandon Ubel 6.6

My take

After scraping by the Big Ten’s worst team, Penn State, on the road, IU now has the chance to capture a more convincing victory against the conference’s second-weakest team in Lincoln.

As Nebraska’s new neighbors, the Big Ten has not brought any Jell-O or cookies to the Cornhuskers’ door. Rather, Doc Sadler’s team has had to face
Wisconsin twice, Michigan State and Ohio State on the way to a 1-5 conference
record.

Although Nebraska is a strong defensive team and has seven players averaging at least 20 minutes of playing time per game, the Cornhuskers simply cannot score.

Facing one of the worst offensive teams in the country, the No. 11/13 Hoosiers need to rediscover their 3-pointer shot, decisively beat Nebraska and win big.

IU is better than the team that lost to Minnesota at home and was pounded by Ohio State. The next two games at Nebraska and at home against Penn State are a chance to get back in the groove of things.

Even on the road, I think the Hoosiers are capable of thoroughly beating Nebraska if they play up to their potential.

Bet to Campus

If IU loses, I will eat canned corn with no utensils throughout the next Three-Man Weave video following the Penn State game.