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How to Watch: Nebraska Basketball's B1G Semifinal Matchup Against Illinois

The Husker men have one more game to win in order to play for the Big Ten championship

Caleb Sisk

How to Watch: Nebraska Basketball's B1G Semifinal Matchup Against Illinois
How to Watch: Nebraska Basketball's B1G Semifinal Matchup Against Illinois /
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers are in the semifinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament! They have a tough matchup on deck, but first let's recap how they got here.

After earning an automatic berth in the quarterfinals following their third-place conference finish in the regular season, the Huskers took on the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday.

The Hoosiers are a traditional power in men’s basketball, but let’s just say you couldn’t tell that after the 93-66 beatdown the Huskers put on them. Nebraska, now 23-9 on the season, was led by Keisei Tominaga and Brice Williams with 23 points apiece. Jamarques Lawrence also had a brilliant day with 15 points as he shot 5-for-6 from the field.

It was the final game of the day as three other competitions took place. The results:

  • Purdue 67, Michigan State 62.
  • Wisconsin 70, Northwestern 61.
  • Illinois 77, Ohio State 74.
  • Nebraska 93, Indiana 66.

Below is how to watch Nebraska's semifinal matchup Saturday against a tough Illinois squad.

  • Time: Approximately 3 pm CDT
  • TV: CBS
  • Where: Target Center, Minneapolis
  • Last meeting: Feb. 4, 2024 (Illinois won 87-84 in overtime)
  • Next matchup: The winner faces Purdue or Wisconsin on Sunday.

Illinois (24-8) is led by elite-level guard Terrance Shannon Jr., who is fresh off a 28-point performance against the Buckeyes. This will be a tough player to stop, but if the Huskers can lock him down they could have a legitimate shot to finish off the Fighting Illini. Shannon had 18 points against the Huskers in the teams' lone meeting this season.

Prediction: I believe this game will be another close one, but I don't think it will quite as high-scoring as last time. I do believe this is a one-possession game in favor of Nebraska with another high-level performance from Tominaga. I have the Huskers taking this one. Nebraska 79, Illinois 77.

Other semifinal prediction: Purdue is an elite team and the world knows that. As long as Zach Edey is on fire, I see no chance that Wisconsin wins this one. Give me Purdue 74, Wisconsin 61.

Huskers Rout Indiana in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals

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Caleb Sisk
CALEB SISK

Caleb Sisk is a contributor for Volunteer Country, Inside The Reds, All Bearcats, Blue Wings Rising and All Huskers, bringing a consistent mix of both quality and quantity content and posting daily content for supporters across the world. He is a fan of both college and professional sports. He is originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, but now lives in a small city in Georgia named Tunnel Hill. He was born and raised to love sports and is living out a passion of his as he loves and enjoys writing about a plethora of different teams and sports. 

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