Nebraska is a red state until next year.

In Nebraska’s second consecutive trip to the CHI Health Center in Omaha, NU pulled off another huge upset, this time a 74-63 win over in-state rival and No. 14 Creighton on Friday night.

As an early frontrunner for National Player of the Year, Bluejay big man Ryan Kalkbrenner was held to just four points and 11 rebounds. CU came out dismal with a 17-for-52 showing (32%), but hit 12 threes to make up for some of the missed production. Creighton was forced into 17 turnovers, compared to Nebraska’s seven.

The Huskers were balanced by definition with five double-digit scorers Juwan Gary And Brice Williams combine for 16 points each. Wisconsin transfer guard Connor Essegian added 15 of his own while center Berke Buyuktuncel chipped in 12 and point guard Rollie Worster everyone rounded out with 11 points.

NU earned its signature non-conference win that eluded them a week ago in South Dakota against St. Mary (CA). The Huskers can relax a little knowing they have a major league win under their belts as they inch closer to Big Ten play.

Next up is a return to Pinnacle Bank Arena, where NU takes on its lone Summit League opponent of the season. Here’s everything you need to know when Nebraska takes on South Dakota on Wednesday night in Lincoln.

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South Dakota Scout

Head Coach: Eric Peterson | 3rd season | 30-41 (.414) USD record; 82-56 (.591) Career HC record | 53-15 as head coach and athletic director at Williston State College | Was an assistant at USD from 2014-18 and assistant stops at Utah, Utah State and Minnesota State Moorhead.

’23-’24 Recording: 12-20 (5-11 top, T-8th) | 2x honorable mention at the All-Summit, 2x complete newcomer team | Did not qualify for the postseason.

All-time series: Nebraska leads 34-5 (Nov. 21, 2021 last game, 83-70 NU)

Fun fact: South Dakota assistant coach Brandon Ubel played for the Cornhuskers from 2009 to 2013 under former NU head coaches Doc Sadler and Tim Miles. The Coyotes also have two Nebraska natives on their roster in forward Mayuom Buom of Lincoln and Hake Brack of Omaha.

Main returns: Caleb Stewart, G, Sr. | Paul Bruns, G, Sr. | Max Burchill, G, Sr. | Isaac Bruns, G, Soph.

Most important additions: Chase Forte, G, Sr. (Northwestern State) | Cameron Fens, C, Jr. (UIC) | Dre Bullock, G, Sr. (Niagara) | Ashton Smith, F, Jr. (Oral Roberts).

Main starting points: Lahat Thioune, F (eligibility) | Bostyn Holt, G, Gr. (state of Florida) | Steven Kramer, G, Soph. (SMSU).

Outlook: Third-year head coach Eric Peterson looks to reach 12 wins with USD – a mark he finished with in his first two seasons with the Coyotes. USD has finished tied for sixth and eighth in the Summit League the past two seasons and is expected to finish in that bracket again with a projected seventh-place finish in the preseason Summit League poll.

Senior guard Kaleb Stewart leads the Coyotes after being named to the Preseason All-Summit League after scoring 15.6 points per game to lead the team last season. USD lost two of its three top scorers from last season when Lahat Thioune (14.3 PPG) graduated and guard Bostyn Holt (12.3 PPG) took his talents to Florida State.

Sophomore guard Isaac Bruns has taken a big step in his game seven games into his second season. His 12.7 points per game leads the team, while he grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and shoots 49% from the field. Northwestern State transfer guard Chase Forte has come to Vermillion and has made an immediate impact, scoring 11.9 points per game, which ranks second on the team. Cameron Fens, another transfer from the University of Chicago-Illinois, is putting up a team-leading 10 points per game with a team-leading 5.6 rebounds. Dre Bullock rounds out the five double-digit scorers for USD with 10 per game when he transferred from Niagara.

Despite a weaker schedule, the Coyotes are 6-2 on the young season with wins over Southern (93-79), Texas A&M Commerce (91-83), Mount Marty (77-47) and Dakota Wesleyan (92-69) from NAIA as well as Western Michigan (80-76). Nebraska will be USD’s second game against a Big Ten opponent, as the Coyotes lost a 96-77 game to Iowa on Nov. 12. The only other loss was a 92-83 loss to Southern Indiana.

Stewart, Forte and Bullock give USD a trio of starting caliber guards who can score some points, but if Nebraska can continue the defensive effort against Creighton, this should be a blowout win.

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