The Nebraska Cornhuskers are rolling. Sitting atop the Big Ten standings and riding a 22-game win streak, Fred Hoiberg’s squad is eyeing an 19-0 start to the season as they welcome the Washington Huskies to Lincoln on Wednesday night.
At 10-8 overall and 2-5 in conference play, Washington’s record doesn’t scream “threat,” but this is still a team with talent-even if they’re coming in shorthanded. The Huskies recently lost Desmond Claude, one of their most dynamic players, for the season. That’s a major blow for a team already struggling to find rhythm in Big Ten play.
Washington’s Key Weapons
Even without Claude, Washington has a couple of names Nebraska fans should get familiar with. Zoom Diallo, a 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, is averaging 15.1 points and 3.6 assists per game.
He’s not shy about getting his shots up either-he’s taken at least 12 attempts in four of the last five games. While his 32% clip from beyond the arc isn’t lights-out, he’s a volume shooter who can heat up in a hurry.
Then there’s Hannes Steinbach, a freshman from Germany who’s been a revelation for the Huskies. He leads the team in scoring at 17.8 points per game and is pulling down a Big Ten-best 11.1 rebounds per contest. He’s efficient inside the arc, shooting 55% from the field, though his 3-point shot (28%) is still a work in progress.
Wesley Yates is another player to watch, but he’s still working his way back from injury and has been limited to fewer than 20 minutes in each of his last three outings. With Washington dropping four of its last five games and struggling defensively, they’ll need all hands on deck to hang with a Nebraska team firing on all cylinders.
Where Nebraska Can Take Control
Let’s start with the obvious: Nebraska’s shooting. Hoiberg made it a point this offseason to re-establish the Huskers as a perimeter threat, and the results speak for themselves.
Nebraska leads the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (12.3 per game), attempts (31.1), and percentage (39.1%). That’s a lethal combination against a Washington defense ranked 14th in the conference in 3-point percentage allowed.
Washington does a decent job limiting the volume of threes-opponents average just 21.4 attempts per game-but that’s easier said than done against this Nebraska offense. Just ask Northwestern, who also tried to limit perimeter shots and still watched the Huskers launch over 30. If Washington can’t close out hard and contest consistently, it could be a long night from deep.
Battle on the Boards
Rebounding is another area that could swing this game. Nebraska averages 9.2 offensive rebounds per game while giving up 10.2.
In Big Ten play, that margin tightens, with the Huskers nearly breaking even on the offensive glass. But Washington is aggressive in this area, averaging 12.2 offensive boards per game.
That said, Nebraska has been solid cleaning up defensive rebounds, ranking sixth in the Big Ten with 22.6 per game. Sam Hoiberg leads the charge there, averaging 4.2 defensive rebounds himself. If Nebraska can limit Washington’s second-chance opportunities, they’ll take away one of the Huskies’ few reliable scoring avenues.
Keep Attacking the Paint
While the Huskers have been lights-out from three, they’ve also been quietly dominant inside. Nebraska is shooting 59.9% on 2-point attempts-good for 19th in the nation. That’s not just a stat; it’s a reflection of how well this team finishes at the rim, moves the ball, and takes smart shots inside.
Washington, meanwhile, ranks 10th in the Big Ten in defending 2-point shots. They do block shots at a decent rate-fifth in the conference-but Nebraska’s offensive efficiency around the basket has been consistent all season. Expect the Huskers to keep attacking the paint and force the issue.
Taking Care of the Rock
One of the most underrated strengths of this Nebraska team? They don’t beat themselves.
The Huskers rank among the nation’s best in turnover rate-fifth-fewest total turnovers and seventh-fewest per possession. That kind of ball security is critical, especially in conference play, where one or two sloppy possessions can flip a game.
If Nebraska continues to value the ball, rebound well, and shoot the way they’ve been shooting, they’ll be tough to beat-especially at home.
The Bottom Line
This game sets up well for Nebraska. They’re at home, they’re playing confident, connected basketball, and they’re facing a Washington team that’s reeling a bit, both from injuries and recent performances. The Huskers are double-digit favorites for a reason.
But that doesn’t mean they can coast. Washington still has scorers, and if Nebraska lets up on the defensive end or gets beat on the boards, things could get interesting.
Still, if the Huskers stick to their identity-spacing the floor, defending with grit, and dominating the fundamentals-they should have a strong shot at win No. 19.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CST on BTN.