Nov 27, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Connor Essegian (0) shoots a three-point basket against South Dakota Coyotes guard Shey Eberwein (2) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images Nebraska will try to make December start like the previous month finished when it hosts North Florida in a non-conference game Sunday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.
The Cornhuskers (5-1) are a 3-point loss to Saint Mary’s from being unbeaten this season, but their signature performance was an 11-point win at in-state rival Creighton, then ranked No. 14, on Nov. 22.
Nebraska most recently beat South Dakota 96-79 on Wednesday behind a career-high 29 points from Connor Essegian for their 16th consecutive home victory dating to last season.
“You see what happens when the first couple go down — it’s the domino effect that goes on to the rest of the team,” Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said of Essegian, a transfer from Wisconsin. “It’s just a confidence builder. The North Florida game, we’re going to see quite a bit of zone, and hopefully this confidence will carry over to Sunday.
“You have to go into games trying to find what you can do to expose a certain defense.”
North Florida (5-2) comes to Lincoln after winning 78-73 at SIU-Edwardsville on Friday night, but the Ospreys’ more notable victories came the first week of the season, when they won at South Carolina and Georgia Tech.
The Ospreys play with a fast-paced attack that looks to shoot quickly — and often — from outside.
“Quality of shot is way more important, in my opinion, than anything else,” North Florida coach Matthew Driscoll said.
North Florida makes an average of 13.4 three-pointers per game, shooting 38.2 percent from that distance, with six players averaging at least 10 points per game, including two non-starters.
Nebraska only has two starters averaging in double figures in scoring, with senior guard Brice Williams at 18.7 and Essegian at 13.5.
The Cornhuskers hope to be at full strength on Sunday after a pair of starters missed most of the South Dakota game. Senior wing Juwan Gary played only two minutes after getting poked in the eye, while sophomore forward Berke Buyuktuncel suffered a hip injury that limited him to 12 minutes.
–Field Level Media
