South Florida at Nebraska (-8) - 12:00pm Pacific

Nothing but positives coming vibes coming from Nebraska basketball followers this season.  This could easily be the most improved team in the Big 12.  No other team in the conference returns a higher percentage of scoring from last season.  Fans have been patient with well respected fourth year head coach Barry Collier and with four returning starters back, seven of top eight scorers, and some nice newcomers, this could be the year Nebraska starts to move up the ultra tough Big 12 standings.

 

Not only does Nebraska look improved on paper, but they have already shown improvement on the court.  They are a perfect 3-0 and coming off a solid 6 point win over a good Arizona State team and consensus all-American Ike Diogu.  Last year the Sun Devils beat Nebraska handily by 12 (led by 22 in second half) in Tempe.  The Cornhuskers can easily go nine deep and had four players score in double figures vs Arizona State.  Top newcomer freshman point guard Charles Richardson has added some much needed quickness to the lineup.  Through three games Nebraska has a 18 more rebounds and 10 more assists than their opponents, with 5 less turnovers.  They are holding opponents under 38% shooting.  This is a very good defensive team, particularly on the perimeter which is where USF gets the majority of its points.  All three of the Bulls top scorers are guards.

 

USF first year head coach Robert McCullum comes over from Western Michigan.  He is attempting to turn an undisciplined team who has preferred a fast pace in the past into a strong half court man to man defensive team that is both mentally and physically tough.  Knowing USF's talent on hand, this is going to be no easy task.  The Bulls only have 10 scholarship players available and two of them have missed the last two games.  G/F Sam Barber (15.5 minutes per game) is expected to make the trip but his playing time is uncertain.  He has missed the last two games due to a suspension for missing practice.  Center Brandon Brigman (18.0 minutes per game) remains doubtful with a hernia.  Meanwhile, Junior guard Marlyn Bryant, who the Bulls rely heavily on, is still not fully recovered from an ACL injury suffered last year.  He is playing, but is not himself.  The Bulls shot 47% in last game at Providence and still lost by 24.  I doubt they will shoot nearly that well today.  USF is averaging 20 turnovers per game and finished just 1-11 on the road last season.  That was with a senior point guard, Reggie Kohn (6.2 assists per game), who has since graduated.

 

Nebraska is going to be a very tough out at home this season.  They only lost six games at home last season, five vs ranked teams, and the other by only one point.  This years team is much improved and is going to surprise some people.  They already avenged a loss to Arizona State and now will look to avenge a 5 point loss at South Florida last season that they came very close to winning.

 

Nebraska  1 UNIT