Indiana vs. Nebraska: Big Ten Basketball Matchup Preview

The Indiana Hoosiers travel to Lincoln, Nebraska for the first time since December 30th, 1942. Wednesday's game will be the first between these two since Nebraska joined the Big Ten this season. Tipoff is at 7 p.m., and the game will be aired on the Big Ten Network.

Indiana has had success against Nebraska in the history of these two programs. Indiana holds an 8-1 margin, including 4-1 all-time in Lincoln.

The only loss to Nebraska was February 6th, 1920 in a 38-18 loss to the Cornhuskers. That came a day after a 24-20 win over Nebraska the day before.

I think Indiana will end its recent string of losses on Wednesday night. There's really no reason to lose to Nebraska.

Matchup wise, Christian Watford should end his slump of cold shooting. Nebraska starts four guards, and he most likely will have a smaller defender of 6'6" or shorter on him.

One thing Nebraska does have is upper-class leadership.

Nebraska starts four seniors and a junior and brings two juniors off the bench.

Nebraska will try to spread Indiana out and work the dribble drive and kick. If Indiana stays down on defense, then they won't have a problem.

Nebraska has only one win in Big Ten play, and that was a 70-58 win at home against Penn State on January 11th. They lost 59-54 at Illinois, 71-40 at Ohio State, 68-55 at home to Michigan State and were swept by Wisconsin with the most recent loss on Sunday.

The Huskers are led by 6'2" senior guard Bo Spencer. Spencer averages 14.9 points per game and 3.8 assists per game.

Another few impact players for Nebraska are senior Toney McCray, who averages 10.6 points per game, and 6'11" junior Jorge Brian Diaz with 10.1 points per game.

Diaz will be tough for freshman Cody Zeller to defend since he is so much bigger than Zeller.

What will get Indiana the win will be the lack of depth from Nebraska. They only rely on seven players, and if they get in foul trouble or in a slump, the Huskers won't have anyone to go to.

Starting Line-Ups

Nebraska (9-8, 1-5 Big Ten)

G 3 Brandon Richardson 6'0" Sr. 6.8 PPG

G 23 Bo Spencer 6'2" Sr. 14.9 PPG

G 25 Caleb Walker 6'4" Sr. 7.0 PPG

G 0 Toney McCray 6'6" Sr. 10.6 PPG

F 13 Brandon Ubel 6'10" Jr. 6.6 PPG

Indiana (15-3, 3-3 Big Ten)

G 1 Jordan Hulls 6'0" Jr.

G 12 Verdell Jones III 6'5" Sr.

G 4 Victor Oladipo 6'4" So.

F 2 Christian Watford 6'9" Jr.

C 40 Cody Zeller 6'11" Fr.