How to Watch: Nebraska Basketball's B1G Semifinal Matchup Against Illinois
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers are in the semifinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament! They have a tough matchup on deck, but first let's recap how they got here.
After earning an automatic berth in the quarterfinals following their third-place conference finish in the regular season, the Huskers took on the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday.
The Hoosiers are a traditional power in men’s basketball, but let’s just say you couldn’t tell that after the 93-66 beatdown the Huskers put on them. Nebraska, now 23-9 on the season, was led by Keisei Tominaga and Brice Williams with 23 points apiece. Jamarques Lawrence also had a brilliant day with 15 points as he shot 5-for-6 from the field.
It was the final game of the day as three other competitions took place. The results:
- Purdue 67, Michigan State 62.
- Wisconsin 70, Northwestern 61.
- Illinois 77, Ohio State 74.
- Nebraska 93, Indiana 66.
Below is how to watch Nebraska's semifinal matchup Saturday against a tough Illinois squad.
- Time: Approximately 3 pm CDT
- TV: CBS
- Where: Target Center, Minneapolis
- Last meeting: Feb. 4, 2024 (Illinois won 87-84 in overtime)
- Next matchup: The winner faces Purdue or Wisconsin on Sunday.
Illinois (24-8) is led by elite-level guard Terrance Shannon Jr., who is fresh off a 28-point performance against the Buckeyes. This will be a tough player to stop, but if the Huskers can lock him down they could have a legitimate shot to finish off the Fighting Illini. Shannon had 18 points against the Huskers in the teams' lone meeting this season.
Prediction: I believe this game will be another close one, but I don't think it will quite as high-scoring as last time. I do believe this is a one-possession game in favor of Nebraska with another high-level performance from Tominaga. I have the Huskers taking this one. Nebraska 79, Illinois 77.
Other semifinal prediction: Purdue is an elite team and the world knows that. As long as Zach Edey is on fire, I see no chance that Wisconsin wins this one. Give me Purdue 74, Wisconsin 61.
