Nebraska Basketball 2025-2026

[Greg S]

Incoming freshman Leo Curtis is playing for Iceland's U20 team this summer in Europe. He seems to be faring quite well:

https://huskers.com/news/2025/07/17/cur ... eurobasket

Nebraska freshman Leo Curtis will be in action this week, representing Iceland at the 2025 FIBA U20 EuroBasket in Heraklion, Greece. Updates will be posted throughout the tournament on this page.

Leo Curtis continued action at the U20 EuroBasket in Greece on Thursday, as Iceland fell to Romania, 72-57. Curtis finished with nine points, six rebounds and three assists, the first time in five tournament games he was held out of double figures.

Curtis is now averaging 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and 2.2 blocks per game entering the final two rounds of competition. Iceland will be in action on Saturday against an opponent to be determined by Thursday’s action.

[OmahaRedWing]

Leo Curtis with a strong finish in Europe:

Nebraska freshman Leo Curtis nearly posted his second double-double in Iceland’s 63-56 loss to Germany Sunday at the U20 Eurobasket in Heraklion, Greece.

Curtis totaled 12 points, eight rebounds and a game-high six blocked shots in 37 minutes of action, as he posted his sixth double-figure effort in seven games of action.

Iceland led 42-38 after three quarters, but Germany outscored Iceland, 25-14, in the fourth quarter for the victory. Curtis’ six blocked shots marked the second time in the tournament that he totaled six blocked shots.

Curtis, a 7-foot-1 forward, finished the tournament leading all players in blocked shots (2.7 per game) and in the top two in both rebounding (8.1 rpg, second), and minutes played (31.6, second). He topped Iceland in scoring (14.6 ppg), rebounding, blocked shots and minutes played while also finishing second on the team with 2.9 assists per game.

Curtis will return to Lincoln later this week to rejoin the Huskers for the final portion of summer workouts.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/07/20/cur ... eurobasket

[nebugeater]

Leo Curtis with a strong finish in Europe:

Nebraska freshman Leo Curtis nearly posted his second double-double in Iceland’s 63-56 loss to Germany Sunday at the U20 Eurobasket in Heraklion, Greece.

Curtis totaled 12 points, eight rebounds and a game-high six blocked shots in 37 minutes of action, as he posted his sixth double-figure effort in seven games of action.

Iceland led 42-38 after three quarters, but Germany outscored Iceland, 25-14, in the fourth quarter for the victory. Curtis’ six blocked shots marked the second time in the tournament that he totaled six blocked shots.

Curtis, a 7-foot-1 forward, finished the tournament leading all players in blocked shots (2.7 per game) and in the top two in both rebounding (8.1 rpg, second), and minutes played (31.6, second). He topped Iceland in scoring (14.6 ppg), rebounding, blocked shots and minutes played while also finishing second on the team with 2.9 assists per game.

Curtis will return to Lincoln later this week to rejoin the Huskers for the final portion of summer workouts.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/07/20/cur ... eurobasket

Thanks for posting this. I hadn't been following this other than knowing he was playing.

[nebugeater]

It looks like Rienk Mast will be ready to go.

[Louie]

Perfecto

[Greg S]

It looks like Rienk Mast will be ready to go.

It's so great to have him back.

[Greg S]

Reink Mast: The Road Back

[OmahaRedWing]

Opening Night at the Railyard-Sept 19:

The tipoff of the 2025-26 season is just a month away, as Opening Night presented by SCHEELS will take place on Friday, Sept. 19.

For the second straight year, this interactive, fan-friendly event will take place on Canopy Street between R and Q Streets, as the street next to the Railyard near Pinnacle Bank Arena will be closed for the event. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes both the Husker men’s and women’s programs and is free to the public.

Opening Night will feature introductions of both Husker teams, remarks from Head Coaches Fred Hoiberg and Amy Williams and players, along with contests with players and fans and much more. In case of inclement weather, the event will not be rescheduled

Both Husker teams have reached postseason play in each of the last two seasons and high hopes for the upcoming season.

The Husker men return seven letterwinners from a team that went 21-14 and won the College Basketball Crown. The roster is highlighted by returning 2024-25 starters Berke Büyüktuncel and Sam Hoiberg, along with senior guard Connor Essegian, who averaged 10.7 ppg off the bench last season. NU also regains the services of two other significant contributors to its 2024 NCAA Tournament team in All-Big Ten forward Rienk Mast, who averaged 12.3 points and led NU in both rebounding (7.5 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg), and senior guard Jamarques Lawrence, who played in all 34 games, including 23 starts at NU in 2023-24. NU also reloads with five other transfers and a pair of freshmen who were both among the nation’s top 125 recruits.

The Husker women are coming off a 21-12 season that included their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament for Coach Amy Williams. The Big Red will be led on the court by returning All-Big Ten honoree Britt Prince, who earned a spot on the conference’s all-freshman team after averaging 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and team bests of 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals. Natalie Potts, the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, will also be back along with fellow 2024 Big Ten All-Freshman selection Logan Nissley. The Huskers also have five newcomers, including a quartet of Division I transfers.

For more information about tickets, visit Huskers.com/Tickets or call the Nebraska Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 8-BIGRED or 402-472-3111

2025-26 Opening Night Presented by SCHEELS
Date: Friday, Sept. 19
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Canopy Street (between R and Q Streets)
Cost: Free
Note: In case of inclement weather, the event will not be rescheduled

https://huskers.com/news/2025/08/19/ope ... e-railyard

[Greg S]

Wow! Had no idea PBA was getting a new video board as well. Looks awesome:

[nebugeater]

Wow! Had no idea PBA was getting a new video board as well. Looks awesome:

I knew they were being changed out, but I had not seen any photos or renderings. It was time already. Last season thay had 1/4 of a side of the video go black a few times. If I remember correctly, it happened at least once during the previous season. Don't think it was always the same part. I had heard that some of the system was already obsolete.

[nebugeater]

A little bit of detail here on the scoreboard and other improvements at PBA. ten million in upgrades.

Along with the new scoreboard, PBA added new ribbon boards and video panels for the scorers and media tables.

New LED lighting was installed on the roof and in certain areas of the arena to allow for color changing capabilities.

Something you can’t see that was also upgraded was the Wi-Fi.

PBA says they increased from 250 to 600 access points with many of them being placed directly under seats to provide maximum coverage.

https://www.1011now.com/2025/08/26/pinn ... XOZrwjtfWw

[Greg S]

Some more details. The new scoreboreboard is 12 feet taller and the new ribbon boards are a half foot taller. The rest:

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday showcased its first major additions since its opening in 2013.

“We want to keep pushing forward, and that takes investment,” general manager Tim Savona said.

The biggest addition, literally, was a massive center scoreboard upgrade.

The new scoreboard is more than 12 feet taller than the previous one, now totaling at 37 feet, 6 inches tall and 32 feet, 6 inches wide.

Not only did it get bigger, but the pixels increased from 6.5 million to 29.9 million.

The ribbon screen that wraps around the arena also got half a foot taller and doubled in pixels to 2.6 million.

The two screens alone cost nearly $5 million.

PBA also recognized the poor network signals for Wi-Fi and cellular in the arena and addressed that problem.

All over the arena, 350 new Wi-Fi access points have been added, including under the seats.

To complement the new access points, what was previously a 2-gigabyte fiber pipe has been upped to 10 gigabytes.

Additionally, some new LED red, blue and green lights have been mounted around the outside roof of the stadium to make it glow.

All in all, the whole project came in at around $10 million, which came from the West Haymarket Joint Public Agency.

Savona said Lincolnites can expect more to come in the next few years.

“We want to maintain a state-of-the-art, first-class facility that the patrons, the artists and the athletes can come to enjoy and be proud of, and the city of Lincoln and our community can benefit from,” Savona said.

https://www.klkntv.com/pinnacle-bank-ar ... xperience/

[OmahaRedWing]

Tickets for Husker Men’s Basketball Games Sioux Falls and Kansas City Games Now on Sale

Tickets for both of Nebraska men’s basketball neutral site games this season are now on sale.

Tickets for the Nebraska-Oklahoma game at the Sanford Pentagon set for Saturday, Nov. 15th are available on Ticketmaster and Ticketmaster.com. The matchup between the Huskers and Sooners is the just second time the schools have met since Nebraska joined the Big Ten prior to the 2011-12 season.

Tickets for the two Hall of Fame Classic games in Kansas City on Nov. 20 and 21 are through AXS. The four-team field at the T-Mobile Center includes New Mexico, Kansas State and Mississippi State. The Huskers will face New Mexico in the opener on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. and will play either Kansas State or Mississippi State on Friday night at either 6 or 8:30 p.m.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/09/3/nebr ... ale-sept-3

[Greg S]

Tickets sold fast in the first few minutes for the game in Sioux Falls.

[nebugeater]

Jake Muhleisein is stepping away from the Color Commentary position alongside Kent Pavelaka. Been in the role for seven seasons,

Jeff Smith will take this role. He was an assistant on Danny Nee's staff as an assitant for seven years. And then coached at Lincoln Southeast until retiring from there in 2017

I hope that he is willing to keep KP in check with corrections. That is what I liked about JM, when Kent made a call that was different from what happens on the court, JM would not hesitate to call it correct. Listen on an earbud at many of the games I go to and this happnes more and more all the time. Don't get me wrong, I like the KP play-by-play, but no one is getting younger. Don't see that Jeff has ever done any radio before so it may be interesting

Didn't find an age for Jeff Smith, but if he was on Nee's staff and has retired from LSE, he has to have some years on him too. We may have one of the oldest brodcast teams for Mens Basketball out there this season.

https://www.on3.com/teams/nebraska-corn ... broadcast/

[Greg S]

Jake Muhleisein is stepping away from the Color Commentary position alongside Kent Pavelaka. Been in the role for seven seasons,

Jeff Smith will take this role. He was an assistant on Danny Nee's staff as an assitant for seven years. And then coached at Lincoln Southeast until retiring from there in 2017

I hope that he is willing to keep KP in check with corrections. That is what I liked about JM, when Kent made a call that was different from what happens on the court, JM would not hesitate to call it correct. Listen on an earbud at many of the games I go to and this happnes more and more all the time. Don't get me wrong, I like the KP play-by-play, but no one is getting younger. Don't see that Jeff has ever done any radio before so it may be interesting

Didn't find an age for Jeff Smith, but if he was on Nee's staff and has retired from LSE, he has to have some years on him too. We may have one of the oldest brodcast teams for Mens Basketball out there this season.

https://www.on3.com/teams/nebraska-corn ... broadcast/

I think your assessment on Jake is spot on. I will miss him, did a great job. I thought I saw somewhere that he's getting quite successful in his primary career and he just couldn't be away from it with the travel that the radio gig requires.

Greg

[OmahaRedWing]

BYU tickets on sale:

Tickets for the Nebraska men’s basketball scrimmage against BYU at Pinnacle Bank Arena are now on sale. The matchup takes place on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Noon (central) and 300 level tickets can be purchased by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or by calling 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Tickets are priced at $25 apiece plus fees and there is a limit of six tickets per household.

The Huskers begin their quest for a third straight postseason appearance, bringing back four players who have made at least 15 starts in NU careers. The Huskers are led by All-Big Ten forward Rienk Mast, who returns after missing all last season following knee surgery. Two years ago, Mast averaged 12.3 points and led NU in both rebounding (7.5 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg). NU also brings back returning starters Berke Büyüktuncel (6.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Sam Hoiberg (3.9 ppg; 1.9 apg) and regains the services of Jamarques Lawrence, who started 23 games on NU’s 2023-24 NCAA Tournament and started 31 games at Rhode Island last season. The Huskers also return senior Connor Essegian, who averaged 10.7 ppg, including 38 percent from 3-point range, as the team’s sixth man last season and add eight newcomers (six transfers and two freshman) to the fold.

The Huskers will face a stiff test with a BYU team that went 26-10 and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 last season. The Cougars are tabbed in the top-10 by several preseason publications and return All-Big 12 performer Richie Saunders, who averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and Keba Keita, who averaged 7.5 points per game and led BYU in rebounding (7.9 rpg) and blocked shots (1.2 bpg). BYU also adds arguably the nation’s top recruit in AJ Dybantsa, who was named the Most Valuable Player at his past summer’s FIBA U19 World Cup en route to leading USA Basketball to the title. In addition, BYU also added a quartet of transfers led by Baylor transfer Robert Wright III, who was considered one of the top 10 transfers in the country by ESPN.

The game will be carried online on B1G+ (subscription required) with audio on Huskers.com, the Huskers app and select Playfly Husker Sports Network affiliates.

This exhibition matchup is the first of a home-and-home exhibition series, as Nebraska will travel to Provo in the fall of 2026.


https://huskers.com/news/2025/09/17/neb ... ow-on-sale

[OmahaRedWing]

I know they've had the big red N's on PBA for years. How long have they had the red lights shining on it at night?

[OmahaRedWing]

Husker TV schedule:

Nebraska will make a minimum of 21 national television appearances during the regular season, as the Big Ten Conference and its broadcast partners announced its 2025-26 schedule Wednesday. All 31 regular-season games and both exhibition games will be available on at least one TV or streaming outlet.

Today’s announcement also includes the start times for every game in the 2025-26 season.

Nebraska will make an appearance on FOX as the regular-season finale against Iowa will be carried by the network. In addition, the Huskers are slated to appear six times on FS1, beginning with the Dec. 7 matchup with Creighton. NU will be on FS1 five times in Big Ten play, including home matchups with Purdue (Feb. 10) and Illinois (Feb. 1) and road games at Ohio State (Jan. 5), Minnesota (Jan. 24) and UCLA (March 3).

BTN will have the Huskers a minimum of 14 times during the season starting with the Nov. 25 game against Winthrop. In all, the network will carry three non-conference games and 11 of the 20 Big Ten matchups. In addition, the network could add a pair of non-conference games on Nov. 8 (Florida International) and Nov. 15 (vs. Oklahoma) depending on the network’s football selections that day.

All of the games carried on FOX, FS1 and BTN will be streamed on the Fox Sports and the Fox One apps.

On the streaming side, NU will make five appearances on Peacock, beginning with the two games at the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City on Nov. 20-21. In Big Ten play, the streaming service will carry NU’s games against at Illinois (Dec. 13), Michigan State (Jan. 2) and at Michigan (Jan. 27).

Nebraska will also make four appearances on B1G+, beginning with the exhibition opener against BYU on Oct. 18. The Huskers’ opener against West Georgia (Nov. 3) will be steamed, as well the matchups with Maryland-Eastern Shore (Nov. 11) and South Carolina Upstate (Nov. 29).

Single-game tickets start at just $15 for select non-conference games while Starting 5 mini plans priced at $80 are now on sale by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or calling the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Mon.-Fri.).

2025-26 Nebraska Men’s Basketball Schedule (as of Oct. 7)

Link for individual games:

https://huskers.com/news/2025/10/7/husk ... in-2025-26

[nebugeater]

Five Home games with an 8 PM cent start time sucks.

[Greg S]

Five Home games with an 8 PM cent start time sucks.

Yeah not a fan of 8PM starts on weeknights. Since Nebraska draws from all directions, and not just the city of Lincoln, it impacts their fan base more than others.

[Greg S]

Nebraska is facing BYU (currently ranked #8 in the preseason AP poll) on the 18th for their exhibition. BYU looks to be the best nonconference team on NU's schedule.

I honestly can't remember them facing a team this good for their exhibition.

Greg

[OmahaRedWing]

BYU has the number 1 rated incoming freshman, AJ Dybantsa. There's a good chance he will be a one and done and drafted first overall next year in the NBA draft. This is a crazy good exhibition for Nebraska.

Nebraska will play at BYU next year.

[OmahaRedWing]

Info on Saturday's exhibition against BYU:

Exhibition #1
Opponent: BYU
Date: Sat., Oct. 18
Tipoff: 12:01 PM (CT)
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Arena: Pinnacle Bank Arena

On the Air
Radio: Saturday's game will be carried on select Huskers Radio Network with Kent Pavelka and Jeff Smith on the call, including KLIN (1400 AM) in Lincoln, KCRO (660 AM) and KIBM (1490 AM) in Omaha and KRVN (880 AM) in Lexington. The pregame show begins an hour before tipoff and will also be available on Huskers.com and the Huskers app.

TV/Online: Saturday's game is not televised but will be available online at B1G Plus with Jessica Coody and Andy Markowski on the call. To subscribe or for more info, visit bigtenplus.com

https://huskers.com/news/2025/10/16/hus ... -afternoon

[Greg S]

Ummmm, anyone see that Nebraska BYU final?

[nebugeater]

Ummmm, anyone see that Nebraska BYU final?

Did not go but was able to hear a bunch of it on the radio. Not sure if this one game sample says the Huskers may be better than anticipated or that BYU is not what people think. Either way, from the radio coverage, it was not a fluke. The Huskers were up by +10 more than once, too.

[Greg S]

Ummmm, anyone see that Nebraska BYU final?

Did not go but was able to hear a bunch of it on the radio. Not sure if this one game sample says the Huskers may be better than anticipated or that BYU is not what people think. Either way, from the radio coverage, it was not a fluke. The Huskers were up by +10 more than once, too.

I think the one thing we can definitely take away is Rienk Mast is healthy.

Greg

[Linkin5]

Ummmm, anyone see that Nebraska BYU final?

Did not go but was able to hear a bunch of it on the radio. Not sure if this one game sample says the Huskers may be better than anticipated or that BYU is not what people think. Either way, from the radio coverage, it was not a fluke. The Huskers were up by +10 more than once, too.

I think the one thing we can definitely take away is Rienk Mast is healthy.

Greg

It’s so good to see him back. Hoping for a healthy monster year.

[OmahaRedWing]

Exhibition #2
Opponent: Midland
Date: Mon.., Oct. 27
Tipoff: 6:31 PM (CT)
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Arena: Pinnacle Bank Arena

On the Air
Radio: Monday's game will be carried on select Huskers Radio Networ stations with Kent Pavelka and Jeff Smith on the call, including KLIN (1400 AM) in Lincoln, KCRO (660 AM) and KIBM (1490 AM) in Omaha and KRVN (880 AM) in Lexington. The pregame show begins an hour before tipoff and will also be available on Huskers.com and the Huskers app.

TV/Online: Monday's game is not televised but will be available online at B1G Plus with Jessica Coody and Andy Markowski on the call. To subscribe or for more info, visit bigtenplus.com

https://huskers.com/news/2025/10/25/hus ... nday-night

[OmahaRedWing]

Braden Frager scored nine of his 21 points in a 12-0 first-half run, as Nebraska overcame a slow start to down Midland, 91-50, Monday night in an exhibition game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Frager, a redshirt freshman from Lincoln Southwest, hit a trio of 3-pointers in a span of 1:40 as Nebraska turned an 18-16 advantage with just over nine minutes remaining in the half into a 14-point lead in a span 2:09 before extending the margin to 44-26 at the break.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/10/27/hus ... land-91-50

[OmahaRedWing]

And we're off:

Lincoln - Braden Frager scored 22 points in his debut while Jamarques Lawrence had 10 of his 18 points in a decisive 16-0 run as Nebraska opened the season with an 86-53 win over West Georgia Monday evening.

Frager was efficient offensively, hitting 8-of-11 shots from the field and had five rebounds to pace four Huskers in double figures, as his 22-point effort was the third-highest scoring debut by a Husker in school history.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/11/3/husk ... son-opener

[Greg S]

Cool to see Lincoln native (and redshirt freshman) Braden Frager with a big night.

Greg

[OmahaRedWing]

Rienk Mast recorded the third triple-double in school history, while Nebraska hit 17 3-pointers in a 96-66 win over FIU Saturday afternoon at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Mast became the first Husker since Dalano Banton in 2020 to record a triple-double as he finished with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists. The 6-foot-10 senior had 14 points, 10 boards and five assists by halftime and secured the achievement by hitting Braden Frager on a driving layup with 7:29 remaining.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/11/8/mast ... n-over-fiu

[Greg S]

Very excited for Mast this season.

One thing I will say, I know it's early but I think this might be the deepest team that Hoiberg has had since he took over at Nebraska. That's good in the fact he has options, but will also have to figure out best match ups, who has the hot hand, and making sure the minutes get spread out enough to keep everyone happy.

[Louie]

Very excited for Mast this season.

One thing I will say, I know it's early but I think this might be the deepest team that Hoiberg has had since he took over at Nebraska. That's good in the fact he has options, but will also have to figure out best match ups, who has the hot hand, and making sure the minutes get spread out enough to keep everyone happy.

They are surprisingly strong looking after losing Gary and Williams from last year.

[Greg S]

Very excited for Mast this season.

One thing I will say, I know it's early but I think this might be the deepest team that Hoiberg has had since he took over at Nebraska. That's good in the fact he has options, but will also have to figure out best match ups, who has the hot hand, and making sure the minutes get spread out enough to keep everyone happy.

They are surprisingly strong looking after losing Gary and Williams from last year.

Yeah that was a major concern for me, how we'd replace those two. .

A couple players that have really surprised me:

Cale Jacobsen. Not sure anyone gained more the games in Las Vegas in winning the College Basketball Crown. He really shined in that, obviously got the coaches attention and it appears to have carried over to this year and is legit.

Braden Frager. For a redshirt freshman he is definitely playing more like a veteran. I thought he'd be a role player at best this year. Definitely looks like he's going to contribute a whole lot more though.

Greg

[OmahaRedWing]

Any advice on listening to Husker basketball on the radio? 1490 doesn't have the strongest signal, any other options?

Also is the Sports Nightly show on the radio in Omaha now? Tried listening to it on 1490 and they had music on....

[nebugeater]

Any advice on listening to Husker basketball on the radio? 1490 doesn't have the strongest signal, any other options?

Also is the Sports Nightly show on the radio in Omaha now? Tried listening to it on 1490 and they had music on....

I live in Gretna, and I think the Boomer coverage sucks. I have "some" luck with Lincoln stations but find I can pick up Fremont as well and sometimes even West Point

After this change I find that I need to used the Huskers.com app to listen to games or even sports nightly

[OmahaRedWing]

Huskers with another win at home. A much tougher opponent next, Oklahoma:

Behind a career-high 18 points from Sam Hoiberg and 19 from Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska improved to 3-0 on the season with a 69-50 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore Tuesday night.

Hoiberg hit 7-of-10 shots from the field, tied career highs in rebounds (seven) and steals (four) and added four assists without a turnover as he bettered his previous career high of 15 set on two other occasions.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/11/11/hoi ... -past-umes

[Greg S]

Huskers with another win at home. A much tougher opponent next, Oklahoma:

Behind a career-high 18 points from Sam Hoiberg and 19 from Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska improved to 3-0 on the season with a 69-50 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore Tuesday night.

Hoiberg hit 7-of-10 shots from the field, tied career highs in rebounds (seven) and steals (four) and added four assists without a turnover as he bettered his previous career high of 15 set on two other occasions.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/11/11/hoi ... -past-umes

Big night for Sam Hoiberg. He had a slow start in the first two games. To me he's the opposite of a nepo player. He was hardly playing early in his career and only got minutes once the injuries piled up. I just wonder if he wasn't playing more because his last name was Hoiberg.

Regardless he took advantage and I am glad he did.

Greg