Nebraska Hoops Gameday: UCLA

After a successful run through non-conference play, Nebraska will host No. 15 UCLA today, beginning the year with 18 straight Big Ten games.

Here’s what you need to know before the Bruins’ first visit to Lincoln since 1955…

Who, What, Where, When

Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) vs. UCLA Bruins (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten)

Saturday, January 4, 2025 – 1:00 p.m. CT

Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,500)

TV: FOX

Radio: Huskers Radio Network

Internet/Streaming: Fox Sports app

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Nebraska projected starters

UCLA projected starters

3 keys to victory

Cherish every possession

Nebraska has struggled with ball security all season, recording 10 turnovers in the second half alone in its last game against Southern. Fred Hoiberg has consistently preached the importance of taking better care of basketball, and this area will be more important now than ever. UCLA will be as formidable a defensive challenge as the Huskers were this year. The Bruins are particularly good at creating turnovers with heavy full-court and half-court pressure. They rank second nationally with 18.2 forced turnovers per game and are seventh with a turnover margin of +6.7. Nebraska needs to be on the right track offensively from start to finish, as any sloppy mistakes with the ball will almost certainly be converted into UCLA points.

Pass to the UCLA defense

A unique aspect of this season has been how much Nebraska’s identity has transformed into an elite defensive team. The Huskers currently rank in the top five of the Big Ten in scoring defense (65.1 points per game) and opponent field goal percentage (38.1%). That includes holding their last five opponents to just 34% shooting to an average of 56.2 ppg while maintaining a +6.2 rebound advantage. As good as NU was on that end of the floor, UCLA was even better. The Bruins rank eighth nationally in scoring defense (58.7 ppg), fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency (89.9) and first in defensive turnover rate (26.6). For Nebraska to have a chance at an upset today, it will have to match UCLA’s defensive performance for 40 minutes.

Food made from PBA

On paper, UCLA is currently considered one of the best teams in the Big Ten, especially when it comes to defense. However, Nebraska has one of the conference’s biggest equalizers – its home-field advantage at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Today will be a perfect storm for PBA to perform at its best. The Bruins, a top-15 blue blood opponent, come to Lincoln for the first time in 70 years for a Saturday afternoon nationally televised event on FOX. The Huskers are off to an 11-2 start and have won their last five games. More importantly, they have won 19 straight home games since December 2023, just shy of the program record. That includes 11 straight Big Ten home wins, capped by a 17-point win by Indiana on Dec. 13. When the PBA is underway, Nebraska can compete with and beat any team in the conference. That might be the biggest X-factor of all in this case.

Quotable

“We are focused; we are ready. We will do our best. Everybody’s ready and we’re just ready to put the world and the Big Ten on the map.”

Senior guard Brice Williams on what tonight’s game against UCLA means to Nebraska’s season.

forecast

Nebraska (-2.5) 66, UCLA 65

Robin’s season record: 12-1

Vs. the spread: 7-6

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