2 p.m. vs. Nebraska • No TV, 93.3-FM

Improved Huskers are next

Preview: Both teams began Big Ten play on Thursday. Nebraska (9-5, 0-1 Big Ten) opened with 73-61 loss at home to No. 12 Ohio State, the conference preseason favorite. The Cornhuskers have played well away from Lincoln. They are 3-0 in road games and 1-1 in neutral-site games. The Gophers (12-2, 1-0) defeated Northwestern 90-63 on the road Thursday. The Gophers trailed by three after the first quarter before outscoring Northwestern by 30 over the final three quarters.

Players to watch: Freshman G/F Taylor Kissinger leads the Cornhuskers in scoring (13.3 points per game). Sophomore G Hannah Whitish is averaging 13 points per game while C Kate Cain, a 6-5 freshman, is averaging 11.4 points and 7.7 rebounds. G Kenisha Bell (26 points, 10 assists) and Destiny Pitts (22 points, 11 rebounds) each had double-doubles for the Gophers on Thursday — the third time this season they've had double-doubles in the same game and the eighth double-double for Pitts this season.

Numbers: The Cornhuskers have already surpassed last season's victory total. They were 7-22 last season, 3-13 in the Big Ten. The Gophers are 7-0 at home this season.

Injuries: Kissinger, who started the Cornhuskers' first seven games, returned to action on Thursday after missing six games with a knee injury. She played 15 minutes and scored eight points.

joel rippel