Oregon State vs. Nebraska in Diamond Head Classic Championship

AllBasketball  

26 w

Oregon State vs. Nebraska in Diamond Head Classic Championship

The Oregon State Beavers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers are set to face off in the championship game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic on December 25, 2024. This highly anticipated matchup will be held at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Oregon State, with a 10-2 record, has had a strong run in the tournament. They started by defeating Charleston 74-65, with key contributions from Demarco Minor and Michael Rataj, each scoring 16 points. In their semifinal game against Oakland, the Beavers trailed by double digits but managed to force overtime and secure an 80-74 win, thanks in part to Liutauras Lelevicius's 17 points and 9 rebounds.

Nebraska, boasting a 9-2 record, has also dominated their games in the tournament. They won 66-49 against Murray State, led by a strong bench performance, and then defeated host Hawaii 69-55, with Brice Williams scoring 32 points and Juwan Gary adding 21 points.

Key players to watch include:
- Michael Rataj (Oregon State): Averaging 16.3 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game.
- Brice Williams (Nebraska): Averaging 19.2 points per game and shooting 49.6% from the field.

The game is crucial for both teams as it could add a significant Quad 2 victory to their resumes. Nebraska, as the high-major representative, is predicted to have the edge, but Oregon State's resilience and strong team performance make this a closely watched contest.

#NCAAB,#DiamondHeadClassic,#OregonState,#Nebraska,#CollegeBasketball