If you’re looking for a moment in time to encapsulate Nebraska basketball’s slide over the last month and a half, head straight to the second half of Wednesday night’s game against Maryland.
Terps center Bruno Fernando, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound behemoth of a man with an NBA future, backed Tanner Borchadt down, bowled him over, threw down a one-handed slam and then took an exaggerated step over the Nebraska senior.
Tim Miles and the 10,360 Husker faithful in attendance exploded. Miles was immediately hit with a technical foul. Fernando egged on an irate PBA crowd as he headed to the bench.
The play happened with 12:53 left. The game might as well have been over.
Nebraska didn’t respond to being disrespected on its home floor, falling to No. 24 Maryland 60-45 on another frigid night in Lincoln.
"Nobody's really having fun right now," junior forward Isaiah Roby said. "We all had really big expectations for this season, and we know that time keeps running out with every game we play."
The 45 points were the fewest the Huskers (13-10, 3-9 Big Ten) have scored in Pinnacle Bank Arena. And their 21.1 percent shooting (12-for-57) was also a record low in PBA. The previous lows were 46 points and 27 percent.
That Nebraska couldn’t find a spark after Fernando’s show of force said plenty about the fragile state of this program that has reached a full free-fall in losing six in a row and eight of its last 10 games.
"I hope and pray to God that this is rock bottom," Miles said. "But until we can get out of our own way on offense. … The kids are still competing on defense, I think. But until we can get out of our own way and find some rhythm on offense, we've got a real problem.
"And I believe it's mental as much as anything."
Instead of putting together a run after the Fernando play to try and salvage their season, the Huskers instead were outscored 15-5 over the next few minutes, falling behind by 20 points in another listless offensive performance.
Jalen Smith led Maryland (18-6, 9-4) with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Fernando finished with 13 points and PBA-record 19 boards.
Isaiah Roby scored Nebraska’s first seven points and finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots. The 14 rebounds were a career-high while the blocks were a season-high. James Palmer added 12 points.
Senior point guard Glynn Watson went scoreless on 0-for-10 shooting. It was Watson's first scoreless night since the 10th game of his freshman season in 2015 against Creighton. He came off the bench in that one, playing only 13 minutes.
Looking for anything to spark his team, Miles inserted little-used Icelandic sophomore Thorir Thorbjarnarson into the starting lineup in place of Thomas Allen.
It didn't help. The first half saw Nebraska set a season-low for points in a half for the third straight time at home.
After pulling out to a 15-8 lead, the Huskers went 9 minutes, 48 seconds between field goals while falling behind 26-20 as Maryland went on a 15-0 run.
By halftime, NU had held Fernando and Cowan to two points each, and it still wasn’t enough to overcome 6-for-26 shooting.
Nebraska missed 12 of its final 13 shots to end the half.
It has come to this for the Huskers: Maryland coach Mark Turgeon came into the postgame interview room and showed pity for his opponent.
"I feel bad for them. Because our league is so unforgiving. And it's so hard to win a game," Turgeon said. "Everybody's saying, what's wrong with Nebraska? Well, they lost a great player, and the league is terrific.
"They're just not playing with any confidence right now. I know how tough this business is. I feel bad for Tim, and hopefully they can get some confidence moving forward."
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska forward Tanner Borchardt (20) goes up for a rebound against Maryland’s Aaron Wiggins (2), Serrel Smith Jr. (10) and Ricky Lindo Jr. (14) in the first half on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska forward Isaiah Roby (15), seen here launching a three-pointer, led the Huskers with 20 points Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska forward Isaiah Roby (15) fouls Maryland’s Jalen Smith (25) in the first half on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska guard James Palmer (0) drives to the basket Maryland’s Aaron Wiggins (2) for his first basket late in the first half on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska head coach Tim Miles looks down after Huskers guard James Palmer missed the front end of a free throw late in the second half against Maryland on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska forward Tanner Borchardt (20) fouls out with this block on Maryland’s Eric Ayala (5) in the second half on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska senior guard Glynn Watson (5) drives to the basket on Wednesday against Maryland at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Watson went scoreless in the game, the first time that's happened since his freshman season.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska head coach Tim Miles reacts after Huskers guard Glynn Watson (5) misses on the front end of a free throw on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Watson, who played for 38:37 minutes, had 0 points as the team fell to Maryland 60-45. At left is Nebraska guard Thorir Thorbjarnarson (34).
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Maryland’s Bruno Fernando (23) knocks over Nebraska forward Tanner Borchardt (20) with no call from the officials in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Feb. 6.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska forward Isaiah Roby (15), who had 20 points for the Huskers, dunks late in the second half against Maryland on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska forward Isaiah Roby (15), who had 20 points for the Huskers, dunks late in the second half against Maryland on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska head coach Tim Miles is held back by official Terry Wymer (right) after a technical foul was assessed against him (by another official) in the second half against Maryland on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska head coach Tim Miles reacts after a foul is called against Maryland in the second half on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Maryland’s Bruno Fernando (23) drives to the basket against Nebraska forwards Tanner Borchardt (20) and Isaiah Roby (15) in the second half on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Maryland’s Jalen Smith (25) charges into Nebraska forward Tanner Borchardt (20) as Isaiah Roby (15) looks on in the second half on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 2.6
Nebraska guard Glynn Watson (5) is double-teamed by Maryland’s Eric Ayala (5) and Jalen Smith (right) as he drives to the basket in the second half on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Watson went scoreless in 38:37 minutes on the floor in the Huskers' 60-45 loss to the Terrapins.
