It is only game two of the Bryan Hodgson era, but he is getting a true litmus test on the quality of his team when the Friars travel down the road to Mohegan Sun to take on the Fightin’ Fred Hoibergs of Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are 1-0 on the season, pasting Le Moyne 106-64 in the opener.
We take the time below to preview the game, what we are watching for, and what to know about Nebraska. Enjoy!
Nebraska Team Overview
1-0 on season, Receiving Votes for Top 25 (second in most votes), KenPom has them at 15 while PC is at 51
Nebraska is on a run unlike any seen in recent program history. Last year, Nebraska finished 28-7 and #14 in final AP Poll. The 28 wins were a program high. They ended up losing to Ben McCollum and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Sweet 16, with that Sweet 16 the first in program history. The wins in the NCAA tournament were the first in basketball program history as well.
This is all to say that Nebraska is riding a wave of positive momentum from last year and hoping to create a level of elite consistency in 2026-2027. Nebraska returns seven players from last year, non-ironically a high number of returnees in this NIL and free agency world. Notable returnees are Pryce Sandfort, Braden Fager, Casey Jacobson, and Connor Essegian.
Sandfort is a match-up nightmare. The 6’7 senior averaged 18 points and 5 rebounds on 42% from deep. Frager is a great complimentary piece who averaged 12 and 4 last year on 35% from 3.
Their starting line-up is a big one. Against Le Moyne, every starter was at least 6’4, and they have a few interchangeable wing pieces in the 6’6-6’8 range.
Defend the Three
The Hoiberg offense is predicated on an explosive attack from deep. Last year, they averaged 35.3% from deep. In the home opener against Le Moyne, they were a scorching hot 46.7% from three on thirty attempts.
If Providence can stay honest defensively and make Nebraska work for those open looks, I like our chances. This isn’t the defense of old in Friartown where the opposition is flying around wide open all around the perimeter.
Byrd should be locked into Sandfort all game long, and you need everybody else to be completely engaged on the defensive end and not fall asleep.
I’d personally have Hightower ready to play 30 minutes and focus exclusively on the defensive end of things.
It’s a tall task, but Providence can show that defense is here to stay with a solid showing against the Cornhuskers.
See if Nebraska Can Handle Defensive Pressure
This is pretty simple: does Nebraska have the ball handlers to withstand Hightower and Byrd’s defensive presence for 40 minutes? Can they keep turnovers to single digits? I am optimistic the relentless pressure causes the Cornhuskers to wilt by the second half.
Page & Bannarbie an X Factor
I do think this is a game where the athleticism of the Friar bigs can be something Providence can exploit. This is why I’m closely monitoring the health of Page. He has the athletic ability to expose the Nebraska bigs, and I feel similarly about the junkyard dog Jacob Bannarbie.
If Bannarbie can be serviceable against a Nebraska after his showing against Maine, fans have to feel incredibly confident about where the frontcourt stands all season long.
Health of Vanterpool
Exemplified by Nebraska scoring triple digits in game one, Providence may need all hands on deck offensively, and Vanterpool is certainly an explosive offensive option.
Layer on Vanterpool’s defensive prowess, and Devin could be an integral piece in both keeping pace offensively with the Cornhuskers while slowing down their potent offense.
Sabol and Mela on Track from Deep
If Providence does get into a shootout, which I’m frankly not expecting, Sabol is going to need to step up from behind the arc. He went 0-2 from deep and seemed a bit out of sorts. I’m chalking that one up to rust from the injury and acclimating to a new team with a new role.
We’ve heard about Mela’s improvement from the perimeter, but I saw in Game 1 the same hesitancy and lack of decisiveness from deep that we saw from him the past two years.
If both these guys can get it going offensively, I feel really good about where the Friars stand in this one.
Home Court Advantage?
Can the close proximity to Providence provide an edge to the Friars? That is what I’m banking on. Mohegan has been difficult for us historically and of recent, but I’m of the belief it is because we’ve been a really subpar team of late. I think the Friar fans are going to pack the Mohegan and make it a home game for the Friars. Get loud!
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