Game Primer: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Nebraska at Kansas

Everything you need to know as the Jayhawks take on the Cornhuskers to end the non-conference slate.

The Kansas Jayhawks finish up non-conference play tonight with an opportunity to get some revenge. Last season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers were the only team to defeat them in non-conference play. With the advantage of Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas will look to boost their resume headed into conference play.

The Cornhuskers are led by 8th-year head coach Amy Williams, who has compiled a 124-101 record at the school. Williams and Kansas head coach Brandon Schneider have met four previous times, all at their current school. Nebraska is 3-1 in those matchups.

Before today's important matchup, here are the essentials:

The Numbers

Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are provided by CBB Analytics. CBB Analytics is a new stats website in college hoops, covering both men and women's basketball in D-I, D-II and D-III. You can follow them on Twitter @CBBAnalytics

Kansas: 6-4: CBB Analytics Net Rating - 75th overall, 66th offense, 113th defense

Nebraska: 9-2: Net Rating - 18th overall, 15th offense, 52nd defense

Line: NEB -2.5

O/U: 137.5

How to Watch

Saturday, December 20th, 6:30 p.m. CST

Lawrence, KS: Allen Fieldhouse

TV: Big 12 NOW on ESPN+

- Josh Klingler (Play-by-Play), Brenda VanLengen (Analyst)

Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network

- Steven Davis (Play-by-Play), David Lawrence (Analyst)

Webcast: Kansas Online Radio

Game Coverage

Follow along during the game for live updates on Twitter.

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Opponent Team Form

The Cornhuskers have a high-powered offense that scores early and often. While they don't play at a particularly fast pace, they do shoot on a high percentage of their possessions. Add in that they have the 17th highest true shooting percentage, and it can be difficult for opponents to keep up. They take over 40% of their shots from three point range, so perimeter defense will be extremely important. Plus, when they do miss they are a very good offensive rebounding team.

The Cornhuskers play physical defense and work to keep their opponents out of the paint. But they tend to foul quite a bit, and despite the physicality, they don't force many steals or block many shots. The rebounding does carry over to this side of the ball.

Players to Watch

Jaz Shelley - 5'9" Senior Guard

13.8 pts, 3.9 rebs, 4.9 asts, 1.6 stls, 34.3% 3P%

Shelley is the main three-point threat on the team, even though she is hardly the only one. But she does a little bit of everything: from sharing ball-handling duties with fellow senior Darian White to hitting the boards to disrupting passing lanes with her quick hands.

Alexis Markowski - 6'3" Junior Forward

17.2 pts, 9.8 rebs, 0.6 asts, 0.7 stls, 0.3 blks, 61.0% 2P%

Markowski leads the team in scoring, and she has a huge impact on the inside. She averages just under a double double, and makes it extremely difficult for opposing inside players to be successful.

Natalie Potts - 6'2" Freshman Forward

11.3 pts, 5.7 rebs, 0.6 asts, 0.6 stls, 0.9 blks, 75.9% 2P%

Potts has started every game in her young career and has been an absolute boon on the inside. She provides a one-two punch that does more to affect shots than block them.

Matchups to Watch

It's going to be a difficult night for Taiyanna Jackson, but there is the possibility to get things through with some good ball movement. Kansas will need to take advantage of the physicality of this defense and force some fouls. 

The perimeter defense is going to be crucial as well, given the number of threes that Nebraska likes to take. Kansas will not only need big defensive nights from S'mya Nichols, Holly Kersgieter, Zakiyah Franklin and Wyvette Mayberry, but they will also need to come close to matching the offense from outside. 

Prediction

Kansas finally gets to face a Top-25 caliber team at home, and their recent resurgence and full bench may be just what they need. In addition to the starters, the play of Laia Conesa on the outside and Paris Gaines on the inside should give the Jayhawks enough to go back and forth with this team. It will be extremely close, but give me the home team.

Kansas 78, Nebraska 76.

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