Nebraska vs Indiana Odds, Pick: Way to Bet This Big Ten Tilt

When the Indiana program is right, Assembly Hall is an environment that would strike fear into any visitor, but especially one like Nebraska.

Earlier this season, Hoosier fans certainly impacted the game, particularly when Indiana hosted Maryland, Kansas and Ohio State.

Given the direction of Indiana's program and the apparent distaste for its head coach, it seems unlikely the fans will bring the same energy to give a true advantage to the home team.

After falling by a score of 86-70 in Lincoln, Indiana will look to avenge that defeat on Wednesday.

Keisei Tominaga has been bringing the juice back to Nebraska basketball in 2024. He's a sharp shooter who's reminiscent of J.R. Smith in his ability to heat up in an instant and carry an offense on his lonesome. Also like Smith, Tominaga's occasional long range "heat checks" can cause his head coach to bury his face in his palm.

Still, Tominaga is the exact type of player unaffiliated NCAA tournament fans would fall in love with. Tominaga first has to focus on simply earning his Cornhuskers their first NCAA tournament bid in a decade. Winning Wednesday at Indiana would be another key step in Nebraska's effort to earn that bid.

Tominaga was the best player in the first matchup between these two teams, tallying 28 points on an efficient 9-of-15 from the field. Brice Williams, Jamarques Lawrence and C.J. Wilcher also pitched in with double-digit individual scoring efforts, as Nebraska's backcourt dominated the Hoosiers.

However, Rienk Mast did struggle with his matchup inside against Indiana's Kel'el Ware. Ware scored 20 points, making nine of his 11 attempts from the painted area. Mast also labored on the offensive end when guarded by Ware, finishing with nine points on 3-of-10 shooting.

The most concerning factor for Nebraska was Ware's physical advantage over Mast on the glass. Ware managed a double-double by gobbling up 10 rebounds — including four on the offensive glass — while Mast finished with only three total boards.

Fred Hoiberg will likely implement something new in his scouting report and game plan to address Indiana's size advantage.

The game of basketball has evolved — particularly at the collegiate level — but Indiana is a throwback team. And to be clear, I don't mean that as a compliment.

The best teams in college basketball this year are by and large filled with great shooters. Matt Painter addressed the shooting shortcomings of his roster by adding Lance Jones and continuing to develop Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton are thriving for UConn to compliment Donovan Clingan.

Kansas' lack of shooting prowess is a bit of an outlier, but at least it has two potential All-Americans in Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr. to lead its team.

Meanwhile, Indiana's roster is built in an old school fashion, fitting the mold of their head coach Mike Woodson. By that, I mean that filling the roster with elite shooters was last on Woodson's list of priorities.

Ware was a great transfer signing from Oregon, though. Ware has been the lone bright spot on an underwhelming Hoosiers team this season, averaging nearly a double-double while also leading the team in blocks.

Unfortunately, Ware has had no support from his backcourt throughout the year.

Xavier Johnson had been Indiana's best guard when he was able to take the floor. Unfortunately, his season has been riddled with injuries. Johnson missed all of December with a leg injury, and hasn't played since January 30 because of an elbow ailment he suffered against Iowa.

Johnson's injuries have forced freshman Gabe Cupps to try to grow up fast.

Cupps has been serviceable since being forced into action, but, frankly, Cupps just doesn't look to score himself. He seems content to facilitate the offense and, at least, hasn't turned the ball over much.

Cupps is an average defender at this early stage in his career, so he certainly won't strike fear into Tominaga and company.

Cupps simply doesn't stress the defense by being an offensive threat, and isn't likely to force live-ball turnovers that would help generate easy scoring opportunities, which energizes the crowd.

I have mentioned often in recent articles that this time of the year reveals a lot about the state of a program.

Nebraska couldn't be more motivated to beat Indiana on Wednesday. The Cornhuskers can almost taste another NCAA tournament bid. Interestingly, the last time Nebraska managed to sweep a home-and-away series in the same season against Indiana was also the last time the Huskers made the NCAA tournament (2014).

Indiana's only chance to make the NCAA tournament is by winning the Big Ten Tournament. At this point in the year, Indiana is playing for pride.

And with a potential lame duck coach at the helm, Indiana's roster may also be playing to put out good individual tape to impress other programs that may try to nab them in the transfer portal.

I'm taking Nebraska to prove it can win a Big Ten road game by beating Indiana. Yes, Nebraska is 0-7 straight up on the road in Big Ten play, but its road schedule in conference play has been quite difficult.

A decisive 16-point victory in Manhattan, Kansas, earlier this year is proof that the Huskers can do it, and I think Nebraska's backcourt will carry it to another road win Wednesday night.

Pick: Nebraska Moneyline (Bet to -145, or to -3)

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