The upcoming college basketball game features the No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers hosting the Penn State Nittany Lions at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. Nebraska, with a record of 22-4 and 11-4 in the Big Ten, aims to rebound after losing four of its last six games, including recent tough losses to Iowa, Purdue, Illinois, and Michigan. Despite their recent setbacks, Nebraska maintains a strong home record of 13-2 and has a solid defense, allowing only 65.6 points per game, second in the Big Ten. Head coach Fred Hoiberg emphasizes the importance of reducing turnovers and improving execution, especially in transition, to secure a win. The Huskers are favored by 18.5 points, with a 95.2% chance of winning according to ESPN matchup predictor and a projected score of 84-64 from KenPom. Penn State, with an overall record of 11-16 and 2-14 in the conference, has shown resilience in close games, including wins over Minnesota and Washington, but struggles defensively, allowing 79.2 points per game, the worst in the Big Ten. Key players for Penn State include Freddie Dilione V and freshman Kayden Mingo, the Big Ten leader in steals per game. Nebraska's game plan involves limiting turnovers, controlling rebounding, and playing efficiently in transition, with a particular focus on star guard Jamarques Lawrence. The game will be broadcast on BTN with tip-off at 1:07 p.m. local time. Overall, Nebraska is expected to secure a comfortable victory, aiming to improve their NCAA Tournament seeding and maintain their position among the top Big Ten teams.