On Wednesday night, Nebraska basketball took a while to find their rhythm, going nearly six minutes without scoring. Despite being favored by 17.5 points, the Huskers found themselves trailing by three midway through the second half.
However, they managed to rally and secure a 74-61 victory over Maryland. While they didn't cover the spread, the win keeps their hopes alive for the Big Ten title and maintains their control over a top-four finish for a triple bye in the Big Ten tournament.
Key contributions came from Rienk Mast, who scored six points in a crucial stretch, and Braden Frager, whose seven-point burst helped Nebraska take the lead. Pryce Sandfort then extended the lead to 10, and Maryland couldn't mount a comeback.
Frager was instrumental, leading with 21 points and hitting three from beyond the arc. Sam Hoiberg also shone with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, adding seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals to his stat line.
Defensive Prowess
While Nebraska's offense faced challenges, their defense was a consistent force. Maryland managed to hit 12 three-pointers but only shot 33 percent overall.
The Terps were limited to just eight free throws, while Nebraska capitalized on 24 attempts. Moreover, the Huskers held Maryland to 45 percent on two-pointers.
Maryland's shooting woes were compounded by 12 turnovers and just five offensive rebounds, showcasing Nebraska's defensive tenacity.
Braden Frager's Impact
When Nebraska's offense was sputtering, Braden Frager provided the needed spark. His efforts in both halves were pivotal, especially a personal 5-0 run in the second half that turned a one-point deficit into a four-point lead.
From there, Nebraska never looked back. This marked Frager's sixth 20-point game of the season, as he continues to elevate his play, averaging 11.7 points per game before this matchup.
His performance opens up opportunities for teammates like Pryce Sandfort, making Nebraska a more dynamic team.
Addressing Slow Starts
Slow starts have been a recurring theme for Nebraska. This game marked yet another sluggish opening, a pattern seen in recent home games. Although they managed to pull away from Penn State early in a previous game, the initial pace was still lacking.
Big Ten opponents are challenging Nebraska's ability to create shots and move effectively without the ball. Despite this, the Huskers handled the ball well on Wednesday, committing only six turnovers and keeping fouls to 10. They also outperformed Maryland on the offensive boards.
However, Nebraska needs to improve their offensive starts. Opening an NCAA tournament game with a six-minute scoring drought is risky, and the team has been flirting with danger in this regard. To make a deep run, they'll need to address these early-game struggles.