Peak Nebrasketball
The Cornhuskers' huge week, Mackenzie Holmes' record and Bubble updates
With 10 minutes left to go in Sunday afternoon’s game between Iowa and Nebraska, it felt like it might be time to witness history.
Last Week’s Hoopla:
The game felt relatively in hand for the Hawkeyes, who led 69-55 heading into the fourth. At this time, it felt like it was up to Caitlin Clark to decide what Hoopla was about to focus on for, well, what you’re reading right now. She had 31 points through three quarters, putting her eight shy of surpassing Kelsey Plum and becoming the NCAA’s all-time Division I points leader on the women’s side.
That was where my mind was headed entering the fourth quarter, at least. Something tells me Nebraska’s mind was on something else.
The fourth quarter begins, and the teams immediately trade two-point baskets in the first 35 seconds. Over the next two minutes, one Nebraska make by Natalie Potts is the only score, as Iowa misses a pair of threes and commits two turnovers. A second made jumper by Potts, a true freshman, cuts the lead to 10 with 7:24 to go.
Another minute goes by. Two more misses by the Hawkeyes, including the first of the quarter by Clark. Again, it’s Potts, whose layup with 6:13 left cuts the lead to eight. Two more Iowa misses then, boom, Kendall Moriarty hits a layup. 5:23 to go, Iowa’s lead is now six, the Hawkeyes’ scoreless streak is now at more than four minutes, and I realize I wrote off the home team too soon.
Kate Martin broke the spell on the next possession with a three, but the damage was done, and Nebraska could feel the door had opened. Jaz Shelley countered Martin with a rebuttal three 23 seconds later. Martin hit another three at the 3:21 mark to put Iowa up seven, just for Logan Nissley, another true freshman, to hit the counter three within 20 seconds.
These six points by Martin — all six of which were immediately accounted for on Nebraska’s follow-up possessions — made up the majority of Iowa’s point in the fourth quarter. Two Hannah Stuelke layups were the other points, as Nebraska completely disrupted the nation’s top offense at the final hour, and with the nation’s top player on the precipice of history.
Clark went 0 for 6 from the field in the fourth quarter and remains eight away from Plum’s record.
Final Score: Nebraska 82, Iowa 79
Nebraska had to pull off a whole lot to make this stunner happen. The Cornhuskers outscored the Hawkeyes 27-10 in the fourth quarter, holding the Hawkeyes to 4-of-17 shooting in the final frame. Nebraska hit 8 of 9 free throws in the final four minutes of the game. Iowa did not attempt a free throw in the fourth quarter.
Shelley, the fifth-year senior who came to Nebraska from Oregon, helped to build the culture in this program and decided to return for one final year this offseason, was the hero. She hit five threes in the game, none bigger than this contested three late to put the Cornhuskers up with 32 seconds to go. She then hit all four of her free throws late to help seal the win.
The 23 points and 5 assists by Shelley led the way, but this was an extremely well-rounded performance by Nebraska. Alexis Markowski had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Potts and Nissley — again, both true freshmen — combined for 29 points and 13 rebounds.
This is the type of win that can change a season. Last week, I talked about Nebraska with disappointment as the tone. Losing to Rutgers at home while battling for NCAA Tournament placements was not what I expected to see. Beating Michigan in Ann Arbor on Tuesday was a great start, and taking down Iowa with the whole world watching is proof of what this roster is really capable of.
Of the many cool moments in this incredible game, Amy Williams’ postgame interview stands out. The final question about what a win like this means for a program she played at and now coaches for, that’s what it’s all about.
Bubble Watch
Rising: Nebraska, Maryland
Nebraska we’ve already discussed, but the other team that had a 2-0 week on the bubble was the Terps, and man did Maryland just need some wins to find some momentum.
Yes, Maryland’s wins were against Rutgers and Illinois and yes, the offense wasn’t necessarily humming in either. But both games were on the road and Maryland ended with two wins, plus the Illini victory ended up being by 16 after a dominant fourth quarter.
It was also nice to see Shyanne Sellers get back in some scoring rhythm. After behind held under 15 points in six straight appearances, Sellers had 16 and 18 points in the two wins, the latter also came with 11 rebounds.
So, while not setting the world on fire, Maryland got the wins and is now at 14-10. ESPN’s latest Bracketology had them as the first team out, but the Illini win has come since, so they are likely in the projected field for now.
Falling: Minnesota, Penn State, Illinois
Michigan State did lose twice, but those losses were to Indiana and Ohio State and the Hoosiers one was in one of the best games of the season, so I can forgive.
Minnesota, however, lost to the Spartans to start the week, then lost to the Buckeyes by 24 at home. The Ohio State defeat was Minnesota’s fifth in a row.
The Gophers have not been able to make up for the loss of Mara Braun, and it’s hard to blame them. Braun proved she was a No. 1 all season for the team, and her injury is an extremely difficult one to replace. Fortunately for Minnesota the schedule eases up and there’s a chance to gain momentum and stay in the projected field.
The same can not be said for Penn State. The Nittany Lions have followed a six-game win streak with three straight defeats, most recently losing to Wisconsin 69-64 behind a Serah Williams masterclass: 31 points, 15 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Williams is playing out of her mind, so these things happen. The next two games — home vs. Illinois and at Maryland — are huge ones for this team. This cold spell is not overly alarming yet, but Wisconsin has caused a few alarm bells.
Finally, Illinois. I spoke to you on how the schedule favored the Illini, and how a 3-0 week this week could get them right back into the tournament picture. Unfortunately, Illinois went 1-2, so this will likely be the last you hear about them surrounding the bubble.
Home of Holmes
It was an eventful week for Indiana women’s basketball, and after a remarkable comeback win over Michigan State to start it, the Hoosiers ended on a big high, handedly taking down in-state rival Purdue 95-62.
Chloe Moore-McNeil’s 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists led the way, but Mackenzie Holmes was the one to make history. She scored 17 points in the game, enough to pass Tyra Buss and become Indiana’s all-time leading scorer with 2,365 points.
It’s an honor fitting for Holmes, who has bled Indiana crimson ever since arriving on campus. Plenty of players love the school they play for, I get that, but few show the level of commitment and honor that Holmes has. She is one of the best players I have gotten to watch since writing this newsletter and, along with Grace Berger and Ali Patberg, is a massive reason why Indiana women’s basketball is what it is today.
What to Watch
Nebraska at Ohio State, 2/14 (Wednesday), 7 p.m., Peacock
Ohio State is the hottest team in the Big Ten and is inching closer and closer to 1-seed recognition for the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska just beat Iowa and is playing its best basketball. Valentine’s Day can’t compete with these types of hoops (apologies to my fiancée, if she asks I’m definitely kidding I swear).
Michigan at Iowa, 2/15 (Thursday), 8 p.m., Peacock
Caitlin Clark is going to break the scoring record at home and you should watch history unfold. It’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere and hey, the Wolverines could also really use another top-tier win, so I think the game itself will be pretty good, too.
Wisconsin at Rutgers, 2/17 (Saturday), 3 p.m., B1G+
Winning on the road is never easy in the Big Ten, and Rutgers knows this is one of its stronger chances at picking up a win. Also, use this as an opportunity to watch Serah Williams. She is playing truly special basketball right now.
Michigan State at Michigan, 2/18 (Sunday), noon, BTN
This is the game of the week when not considering NCAA records being broken. In-state rivalry, in Ann Arbor, with both teams in need of a boost to their résumés. This one should rule extremely hard.
Penn State at Maryland, 2/18 (Sunday), 1 p.m., B1G+
Hey look at that, two more teams that really could use some wins, and it’s Ashley Owusu’s return to College Park. Sunday afternoon slate is required two-screen viewing.
Photo Credit: Nebraska Women’s Basketball (@HuskerWBB), Twitter/X
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