Game Notes: Wisconsin 70, Nebraska 69

Cracking open the notebook and sharing our game notes from Nebraska’s 70-69 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers.

First Half

Glynn Watson Jr. was back in the starting lineup in place of Jack McVeigh after coming off the bench against Iowa because of a groin injury.
The fans gave Ed Morrow Jr. a big round of applause when he checked in for the first time, which happened right after Wisconsin star Nigel Hayes picked up his second foul and took a seat.
Tai Webster picked up two early fouls and took a seat but returned at the U-8 timeout to close out the half.
Freshman Isaiah Roby did not score in the first half but was a difference-maker on defense, using his length to gobble up rebounds, deflect passes and block shots.
Nebraska held Wisconsin scoreless over the final 3:49 of the first half. After falling behind 21-11 at the 7:34 mark, Nebraska closed the half on a 13-4 run to pull within one at halftime.
The two teams combined to shoot 19-of-58 from the field and 6-od-11 from the free-throw line with 18 turnovers in the first half. Yuck.

At the 13:07 mark, the teams had combined for 27 field goals and 27 fouls.
Tai Webster threw it up to Roby and the freshman skied to slam home the alley-oop, then the Huskers forced a shot-clock violation on the other end to get PBA on its feet.
Jordy Tshimanga is having a rough day offensively but continues to work. After starting 1-of-7, he converted a three-point play to pull Nebraska within two, and he had 10 rebounds at that point.
A steal and coast-to-coast layup by Roby put the Huskers up 50-49, their first lead of the game after pulling within one several times.
Roby fouled out in a scrum, finishing with 4 points, 8 rebounds, a block and a steal (although I swear he had 3 or 4). Terrific game for the freshman even if the numbers aren’t eye-popping.
Costly turnover by Morrow with the Huskers down one, trying to put the ball on the deck in traffic after Webster hit him in the lane. He got tied up with the arrow in Wisconsin’s favor.
Down 28 with 17 on the shot clock and 28 on the game clock, the Huskers can’t get a stop. Nigel Hayes hits a tough shot with a friendly roll to make it a three-point game.

Glynn Watson Jr. had a brief opening, but pump-faked and passed to Michael Jacobson who hit his fourth 3-pointer of the year to tie the game up at 58-all and send it to overtime.
Jacobson with a tough pull-up fade away with 1 on the shot clock puts the Huskers back up one. Big plays by MJ down the stretch.
Crucial review of an out-of-bounds call goes against the Huskers, but Koenig misses the shot anyway and Morrow secured the board. However, Morrow missed two free throws to keep the lead at two.
Nebraska’s struggles defending the 3-point line cost them again. Leading by two, Nigel Hayes got an open look from straight on and drilled it. That proved to be game over.