A lot of things..
A lot of things..
Without Rachel Theriot Nebraska does NOT have the offense to win this game... However, they have the defense. The Husker defense is good. They are going to have matchup nightmares with Zahui and the emergence of the guard. I don't love to play of the Gophers when their opponent plays good defense.
Emily Cady is a nightmare for the Gophers because the Gophers DO NOT PLAY DEFENSE! Last time they played the Huskers actually out rebounded Minnesota 59-46. Zahui had a good game but not great and the Gophers won by 3. Gophers have won 5 straight but 4 of those were at home.
So, can the Gophers hang; Yes and no. If it is the Gophers that pound the ball to Zahui and let her work and run the 2 man game with Wagner and Zahui then yes they can hang. If it is the Gophers that take undisciplined shots, don't box out and get killed on the offensive boards, and allow easy buckets then no.. They will not hang.
Does that help? I want to bet the Gophers So bad but they struggle with teams like Nebraska because they play defense and pound the boards. But if the Gophers get to stretch their legs and they shoot well they can win by 20.
Jason