Nebraska's men's basketball team remains undefeated at 15-0 after a narrow 72-69 victory over Ohio State. Ranked 10th nationally for the first time since 1966, the Cornhuskers are tied for the Big Ten lead. Coach Fred Hoiberg credits the team's even-keeled approach for their success.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have defied decades of disappointment with an astonishing 15-0 record this season. Once known for their lack of postseason success, including zero NCAA Tournament wins, the team now sits tied with Michigan atop the Big Ten standings and ranked 10th in the nation—a position not held since 1966.
In their latest game on Monday night, Nebraska overcame Ohio State in a tense 72-69 finish. The Huskers squandered an eight-point lead in the second half but rallied when redshirt freshman Braden Frager from Lincoln executed a three-point play in the final minute to secure the win. Frager's versatility highlights the depth on a roster featuring players from Iowa, New Jersey, Turkey, and the Netherlands.
Key contributors include Rienk Mast with his big-man play, Sam Hoiberg's hustle and smarts, Jamarques Lawrence's poise after transferring from Rhode Island, Berke Buyuktencel's energy on defense, and Pryce Sandfort's instant offense from Iowa. Earlier, on Friday, Nebraska edged ninth-ranked Michigan State 58-56 at home in Lincoln, prompting coach Tom Izzo to praise the Huskers and their fans.
Despite their history of NCAA struggles—spanning from a 1986 loss to an 18-year drought ending in a 2024 defeat to Texas A&M—the current squad remains focused. Players like Mast and Lawrence have even requested fans avoid court stormings, emphasizing expectations of home wins.
"That’s the biggest thing I give them credit for throughout this stretch is, nobody’s getting too high," Hoiberg said. "And if things turn the other way, I’m confident that they won’t get too low. That’s what it takes. But great teams find a way to win these games."
A recent hiccup involved Frager receiving a technical foul against Michigan State for gestures interpreted as taunting, which he apologized for to opponent Jeremy Fears Jr., Izzo, and his teammates. Undeterred, Frager delivered the decisive points against Ohio State.
Nebraska faces Indiana at Assembly Hall on Saturday and hosts Purdue on February 10. Fans, long supportive despite past inefficiencies, now witness a potentially magical run at Pinnacle Bank Arena, where attendance consistently ranks among the nation's top 15.
