The Indiana Hoosiers head to Lincoln to face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in college basketball action on Friday night.
The Hoosiers entered this season with lofty expectations, but my Indiana vs. Nebraska predictions lay the points with the home side. Here are my free college basketball picks for this Big Ten showdown on December 13.
Indiana vs Nebraska prediction
My best bet
Nebraska -4 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Home-court advantage is incredibly valuable in college, and it seems like that edge has been magnified in Big Ten play. The Nebraska Cornhuskers went 10-0 straight up and against the spread at home in conference play last season, but went just 2-8 SU and 3-7 ATS on the road.
One of Nebraska's few road victories in Big Ten play came against the Indiana Hoosiers, who it beat 85-70 in Bloomington. The Huskers dominated the Hoosiers last season, facing them three times and beating them by at least 15 points on each occasion.
To be fair, Indiana made improvements in the offseason by raiding the transfer portal while signing freshman Bryson Tucker, but its new players still seem to be finding chemistry. The Hoosiers destroyed the average to below-average teams they've faced, but when Louisville and Gonzaga tested them in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tourney, they were steamrolled.
The Hoosiers are at their best when they can run the floor and attack the basket. They rank first in the country in attacking the rim efficiency per ShotQualityBets while ranking ninth in transition efficiency.
That said, the Cornhuskers are among the best teams in the country at defending the rim and limiting fast-break opportunities. Indiana also sits outside the Top 250 in turnover rate (19%), while the Huskers force turnovers at the 23rd highest rate (21.9%) in the nation.
The Huskers are coming off an ugly 37-point road loss to Michigan State, but they upset Creighton in November and also had a razor-close loss to a very good Saint Mary's squad on a neutral site. Expect Fred Hoiberg to get his team re-focused and bounce back at home here.
Indiana vs Nebraska same-game parlay
Nebraska -4
Under 155
Rollie Worster Under 3.5 assists
I mentioned why I think Nebraska should slow down Indiana's offense, but the Huskers could also have issues getting points their usual way.
One of Indiana's biggest flaws on defense has been its tendency to allow open threes, but Nebraska is shooting just 29.8% from the arc. The Huskers also generate plenty of their points by getting to the line but the Hoosiers are 32nd in the country in opponent free throw rate.
Rollie Worster is Nebraska's top ball-handler, but the senior point guard has averaged just 2.6 assists per game and has logged fewer than 3.5 assists in seven of eight contests this season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Indiana vs Nebraska odds
Indiana vs Nebraska live odds
Indiana vs Nebraska opening odds
- Spread: Indiana +3.5 | Nebraska -3.5
- Moneyline: Indiana +140 | Nebraska -165
- Over/Under: Over 153 | Under 153
Odds courtesy of bet365
Indiana vs Nebraska betting trend to know
The Huskers have hit the team total Over in 21 of their last 32 games (+8.56 Units / 23% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Indiana vs. Nebraska.
How to watch Indiana vs Nebraska
| Location: | Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE |
| Date: | Friday, 12-13-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Indiana vs Nebraska key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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