Nebraska (13-6) at (20) Kansas State (15-5)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) -- Manhattan, Kansas. Television: FSN Midwest. Home Record: Nebraska 12-2, Kansas St. 11-1. Away Record: Nebraska 1-4, Kansas St. 2-1. Neutral Record: Nebraska 0-0, Kansas St. 2-3. Conference Record: Nebraska 2-4, Kansas St. 5-1. Series Record: Kansas State leads, 121-91.
GAME NOTES: Coming off their first conference loss of the season, the 20th- ranked Kansas State Wildcats return to the friendly confines of the Bramlage Coliseum, for a Big 12 showdown with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Wildcats recorded their most impressive win of the year last weekend, upending rival Kansas in Manhattan by a score of 84-75. However, the team suffered a huge letdown next time on the court, dropping a 77-74 decision to a depleted Missouri team in Columbia on Tuesday. The loss halted a six-game win streak and dropped the 'Cats to 15-5 on the year and 5-1 in league play. The Cornhuskers are much further down the Big 12 ladder, winning just twice in conference play thus far. Both those wins though have come in the last six days, with a 66-62 victory at Missouri last Sunday, followed by a 64-56 win over Iowa State on Tuesday. This is the 213th all-time meeting between these two old rivals. KSU holds a 121-91 edge in the series and has dominated at home holding a 70-30 advantage all-time. In addition, Kansas State has won nine of the 11 matchups in Manhattan since the inception of the Big 12.
The Cornhuskers have struggled in league play thanks in large part to their inability to keep up offensively. One of the lowest scoring teams in the conference, NU is averaging just 68.4 ppg. However, the team makes up for it at the defensive end, holding opponents under 40 percent shooting (.387), while yielding a meager 58.1 ppg. Nebraska also holds a +1.9 rebounding edge and is forcing just over 17 turnovers per game. Center Aleks Maric is the top performer at both ends of the floor, leading the team in scoring (15.4 ppg), rebounding (8.7 rpg) and blocked shots (36). No other player is currently averaging double digits for the team, although Ade Dagunduro (9.3 ppg) and Ryan Anderson (9.1 ppg) aren't far from it. In the eight-point win over Iowa State last time out, Nebraska shot a bland .426 from the floor, but forced the Cyclones into 20 costly turnovers. Maric once again led the way with a double- double consisting of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Anderson and Sek Henry added 11 points apiece, while Dagunduro chipped in 10.
Kansas State will do its best to turn up the heat offensively in this one, as they possess plenty of weapons to get the job done. The team is putting up a healthy 80.4 ppg this season, while holding the opposition to just 66.9 ppg. It all centers around freshman sensation Michael Beasley. Arguably the best player in the country already, the 6-10 Beasley has done it all for Kansas State in his first season in Manhattan. He currently leads the Big 12 in scoring, putting up 24.9 ppg, on an efficient .560 shooting. He also happens to lead the nation in rebounding (12.3 ppg) and although he leads the team in turnovers (63), he also paces the squad in blocks (35) and steals (27). Beasley is not the only star from KSU's freshman class, as both Bill Walker (15.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Jacob Pullen (9.6 ppg, team-high 66 assists) have made immediate impacts as well. It sounds strange to think that Missouri held Beasley in check, as he tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds in this week's matchup, but that is a pretty good job against KSU's star forward. The other four starters also posted double digits, but the team blew a 10-point halftime lead by shooting just .393 from the floor in the season half, compared to a sizzling .643 effort from the Tigers.
The Wildcats have too much firepower for Nebraska to contend with in this game. Beasley will have little to no trouble shining in this one. Maric will do his best to keep pace, but in the end, KSU should win this one comfortably.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) -- Manhattan, Kansas. Television: FSN Midwest. Home Record: Nebraska 12-2, Kansas St. 11-1. Away Record: Nebraska 1-4, Kansas St. 2-1. Neutral Record: Nebraska 0-0, Kansas St. 2-3. Conference Record: Nebraska 2-4, Kansas St. 5-1. Series Record: Kansas State leads, 121-91.
GAME NOTES: Coming off their first conference loss of the season, the 20th- ranked Kansas State Wildcats return to the friendly confines of the Bramlage Coliseum, for a Big 12 showdown with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Wildcats recorded their most impressive win of the year last weekend, upending rival Kansas in Manhattan by a score of 84-75. However, the team suffered a huge letdown next time on the court, dropping a 77-74 decision to a depleted Missouri team in Columbia on Tuesday. The loss halted a six-game win streak and dropped the 'Cats to 15-5 on the year and 5-1 in league play. The Cornhuskers are much further down the Big 12 ladder, winning just twice in conference play thus far. Both those wins though have come in the last six days, with a 66-62 victory at Missouri last Sunday, followed by a 64-56 win over Iowa State on Tuesday. This is the 213th all-time meeting between these two old rivals. KSU holds a 121-91 edge in the series and has dominated at home holding a 70-30 advantage all-time. In addition, Kansas State has won nine of the 11 matchups in Manhattan since the inception of the Big 12.
The Cornhuskers have struggled in league play thanks in large part to their inability to keep up offensively. One of the lowest scoring teams in the conference, NU is averaging just 68.4 ppg. However, the team makes up for it at the defensive end, holding opponents under 40 percent shooting (.387), while yielding a meager 58.1 ppg. Nebraska also holds a +1.9 rebounding edge and is forcing just over 17 turnovers per game. Center Aleks Maric is the top performer at both ends of the floor, leading the team in scoring (15.4 ppg), rebounding (8.7 rpg) and blocked shots (36). No other player is currently averaging double digits for the team, although Ade Dagunduro (9.3 ppg) and Ryan Anderson (9.1 ppg) aren't far from it. In the eight-point win over Iowa State last time out, Nebraska shot a bland .426 from the floor, but forced the Cyclones into 20 costly turnovers. Maric once again led the way with a double- double consisting of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Anderson and Sek Henry added 11 points apiece, while Dagunduro chipped in 10.
Kansas State will do its best to turn up the heat offensively in this one, as they possess plenty of weapons to get the job done. The team is putting up a healthy 80.4 ppg this season, while holding the opposition to just 66.9 ppg. It all centers around freshman sensation Michael Beasley. Arguably the best player in the country already, the 6-10 Beasley has done it all for Kansas State in his first season in Manhattan. He currently leads the Big 12 in scoring, putting up 24.9 ppg, on an efficient .560 shooting. He also happens to lead the nation in rebounding (12.3 ppg) and although he leads the team in turnovers (63), he also paces the squad in blocks (35) and steals (27). Beasley is not the only star from KSU's freshman class, as both Bill Walker (15.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Jacob Pullen (9.6 ppg, team-high 66 assists) have made immediate impacts as well. It sounds strange to think that Missouri held Beasley in check, as he tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds in this week's matchup, but that is a pretty good job against KSU's star forward. The other four starters also posted double digits, but the team blew a 10-point halftime lead by shooting just .393 from the floor in the season half, compared to a sizzling .643 effort from the Tigers.
The Wildcats have too much firepower for Nebraska to contend with in this game. Beasley will have little to no trouble shining in this one. Maric will do his best to keep pace, but in the end, KSU should win this one comfortably.
