Pregame: Illinois vs Nebraska, Saturday, December 13th, 3:00pm CT, Peacock/YTTV

[Illinialldayeveryday]

Greg from sleepers picks Nebraska in this one by 6

He points out that Illinois won't shoot that well again which is fine, but Nebraska just played out of their mind too so what about that regression. I understand Mast being a tough matchup, but he also has to guard our guys as well. I like that Nebraska isn't great at reboudning.

 

[GBR]

Greg on Sleepers picked Nebraska. I get the love. They are 10-0 but who have they played? I think this game will answer a lot of questions about the consistency of this team and if we are truly contenders we will win these must home games. This GAME SHOULD be a win. No excuses. Vegas has it -4.5 Illinois at the moment.

Oklahoma and Wisconsin are the two best, but nothing like the schedule you've played. New Mexico and KSU are ok, but nothing great.

Kenpom I think gives us 1 Q1 and NET has 0.

No question Saturday will be our biggest challenge yet.

 

[GBR]

He points out that Illinois won't shoot that well again which is fine, but Nebraska just played out of their mind too so what about that regression. I understand Mast being a tough matchup, but he also has to guard our guys as well. I like that Nebraska isn't great at reboudning.

I think we rebound pretty well defensively, we just don't commit much to the offensive boards instead get back on defense.

 

[Illinialldayeveryday]

Oklahoma and Wisconsin are the two best, but nothing like the schedule you've played. New Mexico and KSU are ok, but nothing great.

Kenpom I think gives us 1 Q1 and NET has 0.

No question Saturday will be our biggest challenge yet.

It looks like they really turned it on against Creighton and the Badgers.

 

[fuggles]

I'm not one to really think about what was in the past. Many on here are. So this is for you.

History vs Nebraska. 23-9
Home 15-2
Last 10 9-1

Maybe this is the best Nebraska team in the past 30 years. But that is a low bar. We should be favored by 10 at home.

I do like Hoiberg. Stand up guy. Good coach. And his son is a pest. And they smoked Wisconsin. Who maybe isn't good this year. Or they just played terrible in Lincoln. 0.87 ppp. smh. Nebby's defence isn't that good. Anyway

 

[LvilleILL1]

Can't overlook Nebraska. Have to come out like the last two and play with that same energy.

 

[TheGMan]

Is that close enough to the Balkans that he might switch teams mid game?

 

[skyIdub]

So this is “not” another humble weather brag, but I’m out on the golf course here in 70 degree HTown, and randomly paired with another single golfer who just happens to be a ….wait for it……Nebraska grad.

Simulation strikes again.

 

[IlliniFan42]

It's weird that Kenpom and Torvik seem to prefer Ohio State slightly over Nebraska, but NET heavily favors Nebraska, which I actually agree with because in my opinion Nebraska is the far scarier team and where I felt there was next to zero chance we'd lose to Ohio State, Nebraska poses a decent challenge. But maybe they'll look awful tonight against Wisconsin and that'll change my mind.

Nebraska has now surpassed Ohio State on both sites. If this was a morning game I'd expect a loss to be honest, but because it's the afternoon I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[Rebounding Dog]

GBR
Enjoy your perspective! Lived there 1980-83. Football years! I was encouraged to bet 100.00 each week on Neb to cover the spread! I did not have 100.00 to lose but was winning nearly every weekend! Red beer cheers to you! Enjoy a nice match up!

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Until we have a classic letdown game it seems that someone will come along before every game and prophesize that this is going to be a classic letdown game.

Yeah, I will say that I have been very impressed with this group so far as not really having a game where we just looked like we didn't come to play and weren't dialed in ... and I include the UConn loss in there, as that one was more just awful execution and some poor decision making. Last year by this time, we had already witnessed the 13-point loss to Alabama where we gave up 100 points and a TOTAL dud of a loss at Northwestern, where we scored 66 points ... in overtime.

 

[ILLINI IN NE]

Oklahoma and Wisconsin are the two best, but nothing like the schedule you've played. New Mexico and KSU are ok, but nothing great.

Kenpom I think gives us 1 Q1 and NET has 0.

No question Saturday will be our biggest challenge yet.

I know it was an exhibition game, but didn't the huskers beat BYU?

If I recall BYU might have been shorthanded but Dybantsa did play.

 

[Grandpa]

Am I crazy though, I needed much more help with the pronunciation of the last name!

"Berke Büyüktuncel (pronounced bear kay)"

The last name is pronounced just like it's spelled.

 

[jrichisamazing]

I do. We don't have a guy like Brice who you could just clear out and let him create, but we're so much more balanced with legit 3-4 guys that can make plays on offense and play really decent team defense (saw a stat where we're one of the top in the country in "opponents shot distance from basket"). But as I said before I don't think we've played anyone who can challenge us in the frontcourt like you should be able to so it will be interesting to see.

I'm curious how you'll defend Mast. Most teams need to double him in the post but he's a GREAT passer so he's super deadly when teams do that. But you guys might have the dudes to frustrate him 1v1.

There's been a couple posts on here about being tired and maybe emotionally but honestly we didn't have to play our starters most of the 2nd half vs Wisconsin (crazy to type that). I think Mast and BB only played 10 min or so in the 2nd half. We pretty much subbed everyone with 7-8 minutes left. I'm not super worried about physical tiredness.

But I could see an emotional let down. Creighton is always a huge game for us and I know the players were really up for Wisconsin because they kinda handed it to us last year. So will they be up emotionally for a road game against Illinois? We'll see.

Speaking of Brice, ironically as good as he was he wasn't a great fit for Fred's offense. Brice's game was long range jumpers (and he was probably one of the best from 15 ft to ever wear a Husker uniform) but Fred's offense is all 3's and in the paint. The long range jumper is really frowned upon. Fred adapted what he wanted to do for Brice, but I think now he's operating an offense much closer to what he wants to do.

I see the game Saturday as a really good measuring stick, even more than Wisconsin. We should have an idea if we really are competitive for the top 5ish in the B1G which I'd be thrilled with.

This is the main reason I'm optimistic about this one. We definitely won't be doubling, even if Mast is killing us down low. Our philosophy is to make him work for it and hopefully if he puts some points up its inefficient.

I'm hoping the Ivisic twins can use their length to slow him down, especially Big Z. I also think we will try to attack Mast offensively. Either get him in foul trouble or at least wear him down.

 

[BigE]

This is the game where I feel our team proves itself or doesn't at this point in the season. A conference game with a red hot opponent at home, it seems at times we struggle in this type of game. As long as we play tough and are competitive I'll be happy! Hoping for a home win and I don't care by the amount!

 

[DICKnaggie]

Greg from sleepers picks Nebraska in this one by 6

Sleepers is entertainment. They are not serious basketball analysts and make picks based on what they think will get the most clicks. Every. Time.

 

[ptgrd23]

Illinois one of just nine teams nationally with 3 or more quad 1 wins.

Michigan 3-0
Duke 4-0
Gonzaga 3-1
Vanderbuilt 3-0 (UCF,VCU and St Mary's - not all Quad 1 wins are equal)
UConn 4-1
BYU 3-1
MSU 4-1
Bama 3-2
ILL 3-2

2026 NET Rankings and Quad Wins

2026 Quad wins for NCAA College Basketball. NET rankings and Quadrants are used to help select teams for the NCAA Tournament during March Madness.

bballnet.com

 

[NarrowJ]

Michigan 3-0
Duke 4-0
Gonzaga 3-1
Vanderbuilt 3-0 (UCF,VCU and St Mary's - not all Quad 1 wins are equal)
UConn 4-1
BYU 3-1
MSU 4-1
Bama 3-2
ILL 3-2

2026 NET Rankings and Quad Wins

2026 Quad wins for NCAA College Basketball. NET rankings and Quadrants are used to help select teams for the NCAA Tournament during March Madness.

bballnet.com

Sure thought Michigan had more than 3 Q1 wins but I suppose some of the high-major teams they've faced just aren't good enough to be Q1: Wake Forest (59), Rutgers (187), Villanova (37), etc.

TCU is 66 so if they fall below 75 that won't be Q1 anymore

(I'm not saying Michigan is a bumslayer by any means, they've clobbered Auburn and Gonzaga as well.. they're scary asf lol)

 

[GBR]

I know it was an exhibition game, but didn't the huskers beat BYU?

If I recall BYU might have been shorthanded but Dybantsa did play.

Yeah, exhibition.

Dybansta played.

I don't put a ton of stock into exhibition, but it definitely was more intense than others that we've played. Essegian who's an off the bench 3 point specialist for us is out for the season now. And obviously Mast isn't going 7 for 8 from 3 every game haha

 

[ptgrd23]

 

[NashvILLe05]

I'm not one to really think about what was in the past. Many on here are. So this is for you.

History vs Nebraska. 23-9
Home 15-2
Last 10 9-1

Maybe this is the best Nebraska team in the past 30 years. But that is a low bar. We should be favored by 10 at home.

I do like Hoiberg. Stand up guy. Good coach. And his son is a pest. And they smoked Wisconsin. Who maybe isn't good this year. Or they just played terrible in Lincoln. 0.87 ppp. smh. Nebby's defence isn't that good. Anyway

Good points. We probably should’ve lost the 2023-24 game at home if not for a bail out ref call at the end and Domask being a stud.

 

[Timj83]

I do. We don't have a guy like Brice who you could just clear out and let him create, but we're so much more balanced with legit 3-4 guys that can make plays on offense and play really decent team defense (saw a stat where we're one of the top in the country in "opponents shot distance from basket"). But as I said before I don't think we've played anyone who can challenge us in the frontcourt like you should be able to so it will be interesting to see.

I'm curious how you'll defend Mast. Most teams need to double him in the post but he's a GREAT passer so he's super deadly when teams do that. But you guys might have the dudes to frustrate him 1v1.

There's been a couple posts on here about being tired and maybe emotionally but honestly we didn't have to play our starters most of the 2nd half vs Wisconsin (crazy to type that). I think Mast and BB only played 10 min or so in the 2nd half. We pretty much subbed everyone with 7-8 minutes left. I'm not super worried about physical tiredness.

But I could see an emotional let down. Creighton is always a huge game for us and I know the players were really up for Wisconsin because they kinda handed it to us last year. So will they be up emotionally for a road game against Illinois? We'll see.

Speaking of Brice, ironically as good as he was he wasn't a great fit for Fred's offense. Brice's game was long range jumpers (and he was probably one of the best from 15 ft to ever wear a Husker uniform) but Fred's offense is all 3's and in the paint. The long range jumper is really frowned upon. Fred adapted what he wanted to do for Brice, but I think now he's operating an offense much closer to what he wants to do.

I see the game Saturday as a really good measuring stick, even more than Wisconsin. We should have an idea if we really are competitive for the top 5ish in the B1G which I'd be thrilled with.

Appreciate the informative and even handed commentary! The Mast vs Ivisic twin matchup(maybe some Mirk/Hummer?) will be critical. If they can containish him 1 on 1 I like our chances. You guys have been a thorn in our side during Underwood's entire tenure here so I expect nothing less on Saturday. If we can hit our open 3's(which is always a big if ) I think we pull away by 8ish with free throws late otherwise it's going to be another cardiac ending.

 

[SescIllini]

A lot of Keaton well deserved promotion by Illinois Athletics, but If I'm one of the Vets on the team I'm pushing myself to step up my game. But not out of spite or jealousy.

 

[IlliniFan42]

Nebraska doesn't have a single Center on their roster. They don't even have a guy with F/C as his position. If things aren't working defensively, I would not be surprised if we go small and the Ivisic twins lose some playing time in favor of Humrichous/Davis/Lee.

 

[jamie13197]

Good match up for us. Both teams are big. Huskers about athletic as a girl scout cookies squad. They shoot well. Gotta keep Kylan healthy and Tomi progressing. Keaton and Mirk becoming kids I wanna buy Christmas presents for. Only big athletic teams worry me. Michigan and Michigan st. scare me. Purdue, because they are huge, mean, and old. Nebraska will be a battle, I have us by 8. 86-78. They will play some zone and we won't screen zone defense again. For some awful reason.
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