Nebraska vs. Hawaii Spread Pick and Betting Preview

Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-2 SU, 5-5 ATS) vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (5-3 SU, 5-3 ATS)

When: Monday, December 23rd, 10:30 PM (ET)

Where: Stan Sheriff Center, HI, Honolulu

TV: ESPN2

Point Spread: NEBR -11.5/HAWAII +11.5

Total: 145.5

Money Line: Nebraska Cornhuskers -777/+531

Notable Injuries

Cornhuskers

• Rienk Mast (Out) Redshirt
• Ahron Ulis (Questionable) Undisclosed

Rainbow Warriors

Recent Form

Nebraska improved to 8-2 on the season with a 66-49 road win over Murray State on Sunday. The Cornhuskers, who entered the game as 8-point favorites, covered the spread in the victory. The total points for the game were 115, well under the O/U line of 144.5.

Nebraska dominated the first half, leading 34-14 at the break, but allowed 35 points in the second half while scoring 32 of their own. Despite the second-half letdown, they held on for the win.

Hawaii improved to 5-3 on the season with a 78-61 win over Charlotte on Sunday. The Rainbow Warriors were -7.5 favorites and covered the spread, while the total points of 139 went over the 137.5-point line.

Hawaii took control early, leading 44-31 at halftime, and maintained their edge by outscoring Charlotte 34-30 in the second half.

Analysis

Nebraska put up 66 points in their last game, shooting 49.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54.7%. They hit 55.6% of their two-point attempts and 35.3% from beyond the arc, connecting on six threes. At the free-throw line, they made 8 of 9 attempts, good for 88.9%.

Kylen Milton led the way with 19 points, hitting 3 of 7 from deep, while Connor Essegian added 15 points, knocking down five threes at a 50% clip. Andrew Morgan was efficient inside, shooting 85.7% and grabbing 12 rebounds. Nebraska finished with just six assists and six offensive rebounds as a team.

Nebraska’s defense was dominant, holding their opponent to just 49 points on 30% shooting from the field. They limited two-point opportunities, with the other team making only 10 of 28 attempts, a 35% success rate.

From beyond the arc, Nebraska’s defense allowed seven threes on 27 attempts, a 25% shooting performance. They also sent the opponent to the free-throw line 15 times, where they converted 8, shooting 53%. Nebraska gave up seven offensive rebounds.

Hawaii’s offense was clicking in their last game, as they put up 78 points on 54.2% shooting from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 57.6%. They were particularly strong inside, hitting 61.4% of their two-point attempts while connecting on 33.3% from beyond the arc.

Gytis Nemeiksa led the way with 24 points on 71.4% shooting, adding seven rebounds. Marcus Greene contributed 22 points, hitting 3 of 7 from deep, and Jaehshon Thomas was perfect from three, going 2 for two and finishing with 16 points.

Hawaii’s defense gave up 61 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 54% from the field, including 61% on two-point attempts (27/44). From beyond the arc, they held the opposition to 5 made threes on 15 attempts, a 33% shooting performance.

At the free-throw line, Hawaii’s opponent went 9/13, hitting 69% of their shots. The Rainbow Warriors also allowed 10 offensive rebounds in the game.

Betting Trends

• Across their last five road contests, Nebraska has been good against the spread, posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 3-2 while averaging 72 points per game.
• Through their last three home contests, the Rainbow Warriors offense has averaged 68 points per game while allowing an average of 74. Hawaii posted an overall record of 0-3 while going 1-2 ATS.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Hawaii has an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 0-3 straight up.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Nebraska has an ATS mark of 6-4 while going 10-0 straight up.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

It’s a pretty small slate of games across college basketball on Monday, but I think there is some value in this Nebraska vs Hawaii matchup. The Cornhuskers are 8-2 this year, but it’s a tough task traveling to Hawaii and being able to cover this number (-11.5). Look for Nebraska to win outright, but I see this one finishing closer than what the oddsmakers have the line set at. I’m taking Hawaii at +11.5.