Tim Miles finished his on-court postgame interview with BTN, then turned around to James Palmer, who was waiting for his turn on the TV.
Miles smiled and hugged his star guard, patting him on the back. Miles needed Palmer Sunday, and the senior delivered with 23 points in Nebraska’s 75-60 win over Illinois.
The Illini (2-6) made Nebraska’s Big Ten opener a mess, with 31 turnovers between the teams and scoring droughts aplenty, including one from Nebraska nearly seven minutes long.
With Illinois’ defensive pressure, Nebraska shifted from its usual high-volume 3-point shooting attack and drove into the lane looking for contact. The Huskers drew 23 fouls, shot 30 free throws — making 25 — and won their seventh game of the year.
“They made it really hard,” NU’s Isaac Copeland said. “They pressed up, shot through the gaps a lot, so I think we just stayed patient, and just looked for open cuts and stuff like that.
And as long as we stayed patient we got what we wanted.”
