College Hoops Friday: Our Best Bet for Indiana vs. Nebraska

We are back after a short hiatus and looking to continue our positive run in college basketball this season. As conference play has begun, we are starting to get very intriguing matchups.

Tonight’s play takes a look into the Big10 (Big18), as we have the Indiana Hoosiers traveling to take on the Nebraska Huskers tonight at 8 pm.

Road Problems

A trend I like to follow is either ranked teams or the team with the better record, going on the road for their first true road game, both out and in conference. This is a position that, in the right spot, has cashed time and time again. Welcome, Indiana Hoosiers.

Indiana is in their first true road game this season, after going 1-2 in the Battle 4 Atlantis tourney in the Bahamas. Indiana is looking to avenge their loss last season at Nebraska which saw them lose by 16 points. Indiana started last season 2-6 in conference play before winning their final 2 toad games.

Nebraska’s Gameplan

Nebraska has the advantage in a few areas based on advanced metrics from KenPom. Nebraska has the 33rd ranked adjusted defensive efficiency in the country. They also rank 25th in turnover %, while Indiana turns the ball over at the 286th highest rate. They are tough on the offensive glass, and they hold opponents to 102nd ranked 2P%, which Indiana scores 57% of their points from.

Nebraska is also a deep team with 40% of their minutes coming from the bench, which is always a stat I like to have in my favor. I expect Nebraska to draw some fouls on the offensive end and get to the foul line. They rank 20th in the county in Free Throw % point distribution scoring basically 25% of their points from the line.

If Nebraska can find efficiency on offense, turn Indiana over when they have the ball, and get to the foul line, especially later in the game, Nebraska should be able to find a way to win by margin. I 100% expect this to be a close game most of the way, but with the free throw tendency, and the fact they shoot free throws a tad better than Indiana, gives me the confidence in this pick tonight.

My Best Bet:
Nebraska -3.5 (-120) FanDuel