Delaware State @ Nebraska preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 19, 2015 ) Delaware State 60, Nebraska 75

The feeling around Nebraska this fall was this season was going to be different than most of the previous ones under sixth-year coach Tim Miles, and its two most recent games have been a perfect illustration of why that appears to be the case. Coming off their highest-scoring effort in 12 years, the Cornhuskers continue their four-game homestand Friday when they host struggling Delaware State.

After knocking off then-No. 15 Minnesota earlier in the month, Nebraska had a second win over a ranked opponent in December last Saturday in its grasp until it gave up a late go-ahead 3-pointer in a 73-72 loss to No. 13 Kansas. The Cornhuskers, whose last three seasons have been marred by shocking home losses to Incarnate Word, Samford and Gardner-Webb, showed the resolve that had eluded them in recent years against a mid-major opponent, outscoring UT San Antonio 18-8 over the final 4:23 on Wednesday to defeat the Roadrunners 104-94. "We have lost this game three years in a row. Today we won. … We were able to weather the storm and win a tough one," senior guard Evan Taylor said. The Hornets seem unlikely to pose a similar threat, however, as they have dropped seven straight and fell to 0-11 against Division I competition following Tuesday's 74-68 defeat at Pittsburgh.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network Plus

ABOUT DELAWARE STATE (2-11): The Hornets trailed by 27 points late in the first half and by 22 at halftime against the Panthers before Kavon Waller (nine), Simon Okolue (10) and Artem Tavakalyan (10) combined to score 29 of the team's 46 second-half points to spark a rally. "The combination of Pittsburgh’s hot shooting and some of our guys being a little overwhelmed by the big-time environment put us in a deep hole in the first half. Our play in the second half shows the potential of this team," coach Keith Walker said. Sophomore guard Kobe Gantz (team-high 11.6 points) has not played in any of the last seven games, leaving the 6-10 junior Okolue (10.2) as only Delaware State player averaging more than 10 points.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (8-5): Anton Gill (10.2 points) was unable to warm up normally Wednesday, but the senior guard proved to be the difference for the Cornhuskers with a career-high 21 points off the bench, including the tiebreaking 3-pointer to begin their game-ending run. "(Gill) had a migraine in the pre-game (and) wasn't even able to go through pre-game. It was kind of a question mark (but) by game time, he was giving it a try. You look at 21 points later and you think 'well that worked out good.' We needed him," Miles said. Leading scorer James Palmer Jr. (15 points per game) poured in a career-high 25 points, going 13-of-17 from the foul line as Nebraska shot 50 free throws (making 37) - its most attempts in a game since 1996.

TIP-INS

1. The Cornhuskers have won all four meetings by an average of 33.3 points, including a 75-60 decision in 2015.

2. Nebraska topped the century mark Wednesday for the first time since beating North Carolina A&T 107-57 on Dec. 19, 2005.

3. With Wednesday's win, the Cornhuskers completed a four-game stretch in which every team was ranked 30th or higher in the country in scoring offense. Only UTSA scored more than 80 points.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 84, Delaware State 62