Iowa has been massively struggling on its two-game losing streak.
The offense hasn't been flowing, and the defense has been uncharacteristically bad during the losing streak.
Before losing back-to-back games to Maryland and Purdue, the Hawkeyes held every opponent they faced under their season scoring averages.
The Hawkeyes picked a bad time to slump with a rivalry game against Nebraska on the horizon, a team that can light up the scoreboard.
In order for the Hawkeyes to avoid a three-game losing streak and another big loss, there are three key things they need to focus on.
Run the Cornhuskers off the three-point line
While this is easier said than done against Nebraska, Iowa must run them off the three-point line.
The Cornhuskers like to run a lot of sets that flare shooters to the three-point line, giving them open looks from deep.
They shoot a bunch of threes every game (30.5), ranking in the top 15 in three-point field goal attempts per game (No. 15 overall).
Not only does Nebraska take a lot of threes, but they also make a lot of threes, knocking down 11 long-range shots per game.
If Iowa can't fight over screens and contest every three-point shot, it is going to be a long night.
Before allowing Purdue to knock down 12 three-point baskets, the Hawkeyes were allowing only six made threes per game, and they will have to get back to that if they want to have a chance.
Slow down old friend Pryce Sandfort
After Fran McCaffery was fired, sharpshooter Pryce Sandfort transferred to Nebraska, and he has become the catalyst for everything they do on offense.
Last season with Iowa, Sandfort averaged 8.8 points per game in a reserve role, and he has dramatically increased his averages this season.
Sandfort is averaging career-highs in minutes (32.4), points (17.5), rebounds (4.6), assists (1.9), steals (1.0), three-point field goal percentage (40.2), and free-throw percentage (83.6) per game for the Cornhuskers this season.
Sandfort is coming in off a 29-point outburst against Northwestern in Nebraska's previous game, and he would like nothing more than to stick it to his old team.
Iowa has to run Sandfort off the three-point line and make life difficult every time he touches the ball, so he does not go off in his return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Take advantage of Nebraska's poor rebounding
If there is one thing Nebraska has not done well this season, it is rebounding the basketball.
The Cornhuskers rank No. 185 overall in college basketball in rebounds per game, averaging just under 36 rebounds per game (35.6).
Iowa is even worse on the glass (No. 352 overall), but if they can find a way to hold Nebraska to one shot, the Cornhuskers will not dominate them on the glass.
We will know very quickly how this game will go if Nebraksa is controlling the glass, and if the Hawkeyes cannot win the rebounding battle, a good shooting team like Nebraska will make them pay.
Final predictions
Iowa has the edge in the rivalry over the past few seasons, but this is a completely different team than in years past.
Head coach Fred Hoiberg has unlocked something new on offense for the Cornhuskers this season, and they can also defend at a high rate.
Iowa's defense has been its calling card, but it has struggled on that end during a two-game losing streak.
Nebraska also took Purdue to overtime before ultimately losing in a close game, and if a few more rebounds bounced their way, we would be having a different conversation.
Unfortunately for Hawkeye fans, including Aaron White, who is making his return, Nebraska will get the job done.
Bennet Stirtz and Pryce Sandfort will put on a show, but the Cornhuskers will escape Iowa City with a win.
Final score: Iowa 66, Nebraska 73