Nebraska was in the last game to be played by a Big Ten team before the pandemic shut down sports in March.
Wednesday, the Huskers began the season by releasing all the frustration of a team that had to wait this long for a new season.
“I was confident that our guys would come out and play with great energy,” Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said. “That was one thing that I really felt good about with this group and a lot of that’s just because of their competitive spirit.”
Nebraska forward Late Mayen takes a shot during Nebraska’s 102-55 win over McNeese State Wednesday. Mayen scored 13 points and added six rebounds. (Photo Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office)
The new look Huskers (1-0) started four players that did not play a single minute for the team a year ago. That fresh energy, plus the returners of Thor Thorbjarnarson and Yvan Ouedraogo, sparked the offense from the first tip. Newcomer Lat Mayen started the scoring with a three pointer, his first of what would be three makes from downtown.
The Huskers made six of their first nine threes as the season opener against McNeese State (0-1) was never in doubt. A quick 11-3 lead to start the game ballooned to 50-28 by halftime. Nebraska scored just 47 in a season opening loss to UC Riverside last year.
Nebraska coasted in the second half for the 102-55 win.
Delano Banton had a hand in nearly every facet of the win. The 6-foot-9 guard tallied 14 points, six rebounds, six assists, four blocked shots, and three steals.
“I love playing with (Banton),” junior guard Shamiel Stevenson said. “His skillset is crazy. He gets everybody involved. He can score. He’s a do it all kind of guy so I love having him as a teammate.”
Nebraska guard Kobe Webster shoots over a McNeese State defender during Wednesday’s game at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Webster made 5-of-7 shots for 13 points. (Photo Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office)
Nine of 11 Huskers that logged minutes scored in the game, including six in double-figures. Teddy Allen, Trey McGowens, and Stevenson all scored 14 while Mayen, and Kobe Webster each scored 13. Ouedraogo had a team-high seven rebounds.
Nebraska shot 50-percent from the field for the game, including 10-of-24 from three. The Huskers assisted on 19 of their 36 made baskets while committing only 10 turnovers.
Defensively, Nebraska forced 27 turnovers, 16 of which were steals. Thorbjarnarson was tasked with chasing scorer Scottsbluff native Dru Kruxhausen who finished with a team-high 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
Not playing after sitting out last season as a transfer was Derrick Walker. The junior was announced as ineligible a couple hours before tip, suspended by the NCAA for a violation of team and NCAA rules while a member of the Tennessee program in 2018-19.
Also out was 6-foot10 freshman Eduardo Andre. Hoiberg said he couldn’t discuss Andre’s absence, adding, “we’re hoping to get him back at some point, hopefully some point soon.”
Nebraska Athletics confirmed after the game that “one student athlete did not participate today because of a positive (COVID-19) test result from the Big Ten Conference’s testing protocol.”
With no crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena, Nebraska’s team and starters were introduced in a video by the player’s families, including Hoiberg’s parents. You can view that video below.
Every time we take the floor, we’re a family. ✊
Now introducing your 20-21 Nebraska Huskers: pic.twitter.com/0r4Qsh17Qx
— Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) November 25, 2020
“I thought that video was absolutely phenomenal,” Hoiberg said. “I thought that was a great start and really got our guys excited for the game.
“That was a really, really cool way for us to start the season.”
Nebraska next takes on Nevada in the Golden Window Classic at 1 p.m. Thursday.
Game Notes
*-Nebraska’s 102 points was the Huskers’ highest point total since scoring 106 against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 6, 2018. It is the 42nd time Nebraska has scored 100 points in a game (38-4 record)
*-Nebraska put six players in double figures, the first time that has happened since Nov. 11, 2018 against Southeastern Louisiana. All six players who reached double figures were making their Husker debut today.
*-Nebraska forced 27 turnovers, including 16 steals. Six players finished with multiple steals. Nebraska turned the 27 turnovers into 43 points.
*-Lat Mayen’s 13 points was his career best, as his previous high was 12 when he played at TCU in 2018-19.
Feature Image Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office