The Lindenwood Lions will make their way to Pinnacle Bank Arena to take on the #25 Nebraska Cornhuskers in what will likely be their toughest test of the season. The Lions opened up the year against TCU, suffering a 39-point loss to the Horned Frogs while shooting just 40% from the field, 5-for-21 from three and a shocking 6-for-21 from the free-throw line. Nebraska’s defense is going to present another major challenge for Lindenwood, as the Cornhuskers are holding opponents to just 61 points per game and 34.7% shooting from the floor.
Pryce Sandfort gives Nebraska an edge offensively, averaging 22.5 points per game while shooting 59% from the field through his first two contests. Lindenwood is going to have a difficult time matching the talent of the Cornhuskers. Makhan Diouf leads the Lions with 15.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 65.2% from the floor, but Lindenwood has yet to prove that it can compete against this level of competition. Nebraska is loaded with talent and should be able to control the game from the opening tip. I expect the Cornhuskers to use their defensive pressure to force turnovers, get out in transition and create easy scoring opportunities. Lindenwood may be able to keep things close early on, but I expect Nebraska’s defensive intensity to wear the Lions down, force difficult shots and eventually create separation on the scoreboard.
Lindenwood vs Nebraska prediction: Nebraska -34.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.
