Essegian leads Nebraska against No. 15 UCLA after 20-point outing
UCLA Bruins (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten)
Lincoln, Nebraska; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Nebraska plays No. 15 UCLA after Connor Essegian scored 20 points in Nebraska's 77-43 win over the Southern Jaguars.
The Cornhuskers are 7-0 on their home court. Nebraska scores 77.7 points and has outscored opponents by 12.6 points per game.
The Bruins have gone 2-0 against Big Ten opponents. UCLA ranks fourth in the Big Ten shooting 37.1% from 3-point range.
Nebraska makes 47.2% of its shots from the field this season, which is 7.1 percentage points higher than UCLA has allowed to its opponents (40.1%). UCLA averages 7.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.2 fewer made shots on average than the 8.8 per game Nebraska gives up.
The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams in conference play.
TOP PERFORMERS: Rollie Worster is averaging 8.2 points for the Cornhuskers.
Kobe Johnson is averaging 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals for the Bruins.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cornhuskers: 8-2, averaging 77.4 points, 33.4 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 7.3 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.1 points per game.
Bruins: 9-1, averaging 78.6 points, 30.3 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 8.9 steals and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 60.1 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
2026 NCAA Tournament Projections: Michigan State Rises, Illinois Drops
2026 College Basketball Odds: Back Underdog Illinois Against Michigan
4 Takeaways From UConn's Historic Blowout vs. Rick Pitino's St. John's
Last Night in College Basketball: Mikayla Blakes Bested Caitlin Clark Streak
College Basketball Games of the Week: Big East Title, Big Ten Record Up for Grabs
2026 College Basketball Odds: Best Bet for Bama-Tenn; Duke to the Final Four?
No. 13 Michigan State Grabs Close Road Win Over No. 8 Purdue, 76-74
4 Takeaways From Michigan's Big Ten Title-Clinching Win Over Illinois
2026 NCAA Tournament Projections: How the Big Ten Can Become an 11-Bid Conference
2026 NCAA Tournament Projections: Michigan State Rises, Illinois Drops
2026 College Basketball Odds: Back Underdog Illinois Against Michigan
4 Takeaways From UConn's Historic Blowout vs. Rick Pitino's St. John's
Last Night in College Basketball: Mikayla Blakes Bested Caitlin Clark Streak
College Basketball Games of the Week: Big East Title, Big Ten Record Up for Grabs
2026 College Basketball Odds: Best Bet for Bama-Tenn; Duke to the Final Four?
No. 13 Michigan State Grabs Close Road Win Over No. 8 Purdue, 76-74
4 Takeaways From Michigan's Big Ten Title-Clinching Win Over Illinois
2026 NCAA Tournament Projections: How the Big Ten Can Become an 11-Bid Conference
