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WNBAIowa State (14-15) At Nebraska (16-11)
GAME NOTES: For the 230th time Nebraska and Iowa State will square off on the hardwood, as the Cornhuskers host the Cyclones this evening in Big 12 action at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers currently hold a solid 129-100 edge over Iowa State in the all-time series, but the Cyclones have won five of the last seven contests, including a 65-53 victory earlier this season. The Cyclones have done very little since opening the season on fire. In fact, since mid-January the Cyclones have played so poorly the team has just two wins in its last 12 games. The last time Iowa State was on the floor the team fell to Texas A&M, 87-69, and the setback dropped ISU to 3-11 in Big 12 play. As for the Cornhuskers, they also come into this matchup on a low note, having lost three consecutive games. On Saturday Nebraska fell to a mere 6-8 in conference action thanks to a 77-72 loss to Kansas State on the road.
Offensively the Cyclones have been extremely inconsistent, as the team is netting just 64.6 ppg, behind a lackluster 42.9 percent shooting effort. Craig Brackins is the only player netting double figures on the season, as the forward is posting 19.9 ppg, to go along with a team-best 9.1 rpg. Diante Garrett is chipping in 9.7 ppg, while dishing out a team-high 5.1 apg. The last time Iowa State was in action the team shot a strong 49.2 percent from the floor, but finished with just 69 points in an 18-point setback to Texas A&M. Brackins led the way in the setback with 20 points and five rebounds, while Lucca Staiger tallied 10 points.
Tenacious play defensively has been the main reason for Nebraska's success, as the team is limiting opponents to just 59.3 ppg. At the other end of the floor the team has done just enough to collect victories, as the squad is netting 64.3 ppg. Ade Dagunduro is leading the way with 12.4 ppg and is also grabbing a team-high 4.3 rpg. Steve Harvey is contributing 10.3 ppg, while Sek Henry is chipping in with only 8.1 ppg. Shockingly, the last time Nebraska took the floor the team was torched by Kansas State, as the squad allowed 77 points in a loss. Nebraska allowed the Wildcats to shoot 45.3 percent from the floor and sent them to the line 37 times, where they made 25 of those attempts. The team's performance at the other end of the court was overshadowed as well, as the Huskers finished with 72 points, behind a 49.0 percent shooting effort. Dagunduro led the way for Nebraska with 16 points and seven boards, while Cookie Miller added 14 points and seven assists.
Neither team is playing well at this point in the season, but the Cornhuskers are home, and would love nothing more than to close out its home schedule with a victory over rival Iowa State.
Predicted OutcomeNebraska 72, Iowa State 55Copyright 2009 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
