Nebraska Basketball 2025-2026

[Greg S]

I just read that no team in the Big 10 has gone to LA and swept. Nebraska has their work cut out for them as UCLA is fighting to remain an NCAA tournament team.

Greg

And that holds

Past my bedtime, so I didn't watch or listen. Doesn't look like I missed much with the Huskers losing 72-52. Quick look at the box score this morning, and it is beyond ugly, just move on. A loss was not a suprise but the way it looks we lost was

Yeah I watched the first half and listened to part of 2nd half then followed online. No real bright spots last night.

The only positive is they were due for something like this, this season. Nice wake up call before the tournament.

[Big E]

B1G tournament seeding scenarios for Nebraska going into the final weekend are as follows, to the best of my understanding of tie-breakers. Please correct me if I'm wrong:

#1: Already locked by Michigan.

#2: A Nebraska win vs Iowa and a Michigan State loss at Michigan locks in a 2-seed for Nebraska. Nebraska wins all tie-breaker combos for #2 that I can find after an NU win and a MSU loss.

#3: Nebraska loss, Michigan State win, Illinois loss, Wisconsin win. Don't ask me how. There's proabbly other routes here, but this seems the least likely parlay you could find containing relevant teams.

#4: A Nebraska loss and a Wisconsin win at Purdue Saturday afternoon locks this in.

#5: A Nebraska loss and a Purdue win vs Wisconsin lands Nebraska at #5.

Either a Nebraksa win OR a Wisconsin win Saturday afernoon guarnatees Nebraska a triple bye. I think.

More clarity here: https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/bas ... -each-2026

[Big E]

Wisconsin beats Purdue. Nebraska clinches a triple-bye. Tune in tomorrow for details.

[Big E]

Scenarios:

- Michigan State wins, they lock #2 seed.
- Nebraska wins, they are no worse than #3 seed.
- Michigan State loss AND Nebraska win, Nebraska is #2.
- Nebraska loss and Maryland win over Illinois and Nebraska is 3rd..
- Nebraska loss and Illinois win and Nebraska is 4th.

I think.

[nebugeater]

IF you haven't watched this, take a couple of minutes to

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HPu4w ... tid=wwXIfr

[skinzfan23]

The Hoiberg’s are such a class act, love them. We have been blessed to have both them and the McDermott’s in the state of Nebraska!

[nebugeater]

The Hoiberg’s are such a class act, love them. We have been blessed to have both them and the McDermott’s in the state of Nebraska!

Yep

Would not trade either one for the likes of Hurley as an example. He can couch, but there is more to it than that.

[Greg S]

IF you haven't watched this, take a couple of minutes to

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HPu4w ... tid=wwXIfr

Absolutely loved it, thanks for posting!

[Greg S]

The Hoiberg’s are such a class act, love them. We have been blessed to have both them and the McDermott’s in the state of Nebraska!

Yep

Would not trade either one for the likes of Hurley as an example. He can couch, but there is more to it than that.

Agreed!

[mrsticka]

Nebraska won 84-75 in overtime. Good for them!

[OmahaRedWing]

Nebraska has signed Fred Hoiberg to an extension through 2032! (Saw this on Channel 3's facebook page)

[nebugeater]

Nebraska has signed Fred Hoiberg to an extension through 2032! (Saw this on Channel 3's facebook page)

Just came here to share the same thing.

Here is the release from the Huskers

https://huskers.com/news/2026/03/9/nebr ... -extension

Nebraska has agreed to a contract extension with men’s basketball Coach Fred Hoiberg, as announced by University of Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen on March 9. The new contract with Hoiberg, who has guided Nebraska to 26 wins this season, including a school-record 15 wins in Big Ten Conference action, extends through the 2031-32 season.

“Fred Hoiberg is a tremendous representative of the University of Nebraska, the Lincoln community, and our state. We are extremely proud that he will continue to lead the Nebraska men’s basketball program well into the future,” Dannen said. “Fred has built this program step by step and his leadership has Nebraska positioned to continue to compete at a high level in the Big Ten Conference and nationally. Fred is one of the most respected coaches in the country by his peers, and his success has been recognized throughout the college basketball world.”

The Huskers, who have won 20+ games for three straight seasons for the first time in school history, enter the Big Ten Tournament with a 26-5 record and were ranked ninth in the most record AP and Coaches polls on March 2. Nebraska has been ranked for most of the 2025-26 season, reaching a program-best No. 5 national ranking in January.

NU’s 26 wins ties the school record for wins in a season while the 15 conference wins broke the previous school mark of 13 set in 2017-18. The Huskers finished tied for second in the Big Ten regular-season standings, the program’s best finish since a runner-up showing in the Big Eight in 1992-93.

“I’m appreciative of the continued confidence from Troy Dannen and Jeffrey Gold and thank them for the support they have shown in our staff’s leadership of the Husker basketball program,” Hoiberg said. “We have a long family history with the University of Nebraska, and the support we have received over the last seven years is truly remarkable. We are blessed with world-class facilities, but the people are what make Nebraska special. Our goal is to continue building a program that our fans can embrace and have pride in because it represents the values of Nebraska.”

Under Hoiberg, Nebraska has reached postseason play in each of the past two seasons, including the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth in 10 years in 2023-24 before winning the inaugural College Basketball Crown in 2025. That appearance in the CBC started a school-record 24 game win streak, including a school-best 20-0 start to begin the 2025-26 season.

Off the court, the Huskers’ team cumulative GPA of 3.340 at the end of the fall semester is the highest in program history, while every member of the program has been named to the Tom Osborne Citizenship team in both 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The Huskers will open Big Ten Tournament play on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m.

[Greg S]

Nebraska has signed Fred Hoiberg to an extension through 2032! (Saw this on Channel 3's facebook page)

Just came here to share the same thing.

Here is the release from the Huskers

https://huskers.com/news/2026/03/9/nebr ... -extension

Nebraska has agreed to a contract extension with men’s basketball Coach Fred Hoiberg, as announced by University of Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen on March 9. The new contract with Hoiberg, who has guided Nebraska to 26 wins this season, including a school-record 15 wins in Big Ten Conference action, extends through the 2031-32 season.

“Fred Hoiberg is a tremendous representative of the University of Nebraska, the Lincoln community, and our state. We are extremely proud that he will continue to lead the Nebraska men’s basketball program well into the future,” Dannen said. “Fred has built this program step by step and his leadership has Nebraska positioned to continue to compete at a high level in the Big Ten Conference and nationally. Fred is one of the most respected coaches in the country by his peers, and his success has been recognized throughout the college basketball world.”

The Huskers, who have won 20+ games for three straight seasons for the first time in school history, enter the Big Ten Tournament with a 26-5 record and were ranked ninth in the most record AP and Coaches polls on March 2. Nebraska has been ranked for most of the 2025-26 season, reaching a program-best No. 5 national ranking in January.

NU’s 26 wins ties the school record for wins in a season while the 15 conference wins broke the previous school mark of 13 set in 2017-18. The Huskers finished tied for second in the Big Ten regular-season standings, the program’s best finish since a runner-up showing in the Big Eight in 1992-93.

“I’m appreciative of the continued confidence from Troy Dannen and Jeffrey Gold and thank them for the support they have shown in our staff’s leadership of the Husker basketball program,” Hoiberg said. “We have a long family history with the University of Nebraska, and the support we have received over the last seven years is truly remarkable. We are blessed with world-class facilities, but the people are what make Nebraska special. Our goal is to continue building a program that our fans can embrace and have pride in because it represents the values of Nebraska.”

Under Hoiberg, Nebraska has reached postseason play in each of the past two seasons, including the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth in 10 years in 2023-24 before winning the inaugural College Basketball Crown in 2025. That appearance in the CBC started a school-record 24 game win streak, including a school-best 20-0 start to begin the 2025-26 season.

Off the court, the Huskers’ team cumulative GPA of 3.340 at the end of the fall semester is the highest in program history, while every member of the program has been named to the Tom Osborne Citizenship team in both 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The Huskers will open Big Ten Tournament play on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m.

This is such fantastic news to start the week off with. With the way he has things going (and his obvious success at Iowa State) I was somewhat concerned if some big jobs opened this off season, that he'd be at the top of some lists. I imagine he's in line for some National Coach of the Year awards.

I did feel good in that he's seen what it's like to be in a great situation (Iowa State) and leave it for a bad one (Chicago). He's now landed in another great situation and probably sees it differently now. I made a similar mistake earlier in my career and now have been lucky enough to have landed in a great one for the last 10 years. I get calls to leave for more money but have resisted based on past experiences.

I think with NU (he has history here through his grandfather) and now a special one for Sam, Fred really does feel like this is his home. Now you have NU coming through with his second extension and a promise for more NIL money, tremendous facilities (Hendricks Center, PBA, and possible PBA expansion), big time fan support, it's a place he sees himself long term and being able to win at a very high level.

Greg

[nebugeater]

Poll movement for the last poll of the regular season

AP Nebraska Drops to #11 from #9, Leaped by Illinois and Virginia

USA Today Coaches: Nebraska drops from #9 to #10, Leaped by Illinois

[nebugeater]

Saw some comments elsewhere that some people thought the wheels were coming off for Nebraska in the first 10 games.

The reply that drives home that this is not the case is the list someone posted in reply. The list of The Husker Results is my add

Here are the last 10 games for the upper part of the conference. Other than Mich, the Huskers are in good company.


Last 10 games...
Michigan 9-1
Nebraska 6-4
Michigan State 6-4
Illinois 6-4
Wisconsin 7-3
UCLA 6-4
Purdue 6-4
Ohio State 6-4
Iowa 4-6

In the last 10 games, the Huskers have played Iowa twice (w/L) UCLA(L) USC(W) Maryland(W) Penn St(W) NWestern(W) Purdue(L) Rutgers(W) and Ill(L)

[Greg S]

Saw some comments elsewhere that some people thought the wheels were coming off for Nebraska in the first 10 games.

The reply that drives home that this is not the case is the list someone posted in reply. The list of The Husker Results is my add

Here are the last 10 games for the upper part of the conference. Other than Mich, the Huskers are in good company.


Last 10 games...
Michigan 9-1
Nebraska 6-4
Michigan State 6-4
Illinois 6-4
Wisconsin 7-3
UCLA 6-4
Purdue 6-4
Ohio State 6-4
Iowa 4-6

In the last 10 games, the Huskers have played Iowa twice (w/L) UCLA(L) USC(W) Maryland(W) Penn St(W) NWestern(W) Purdue(L) Rutgers(W) and Ill(L)

[nebugeater]

Saw some comments elsewhere that some people thought the wheels were coming off for Nebraska in the first 10 games.

The reply that drives home that this is not the case is the list someone posted in reply. The list of The Husker Results is my add

Here are the last 10 games for the upper part of the conference. Other than Mich, the Huskers are in good company.


Last 10 games...
Michigan 9-1
Nebraska 6-4
Michigan State 6-4
Illinois 6-4
Wisconsin 7-3
UCLA 6-4
Purdue 6-4
Ohio State 6-4
Iowa 4-6

In the last 10 games, the Huskers have played Iowa twice (w/L) UCLA(L) USC(W) Maryland(W) Penn St(W) NWestern(W) Purdue(L) Rutgers(W) and Ill(L)

Thanks for posting. I had not heard this.

[nebugeater]

B1G post-season Conference honors from within the Conference and By Media

https://bigten.org/mbb/article/59585/



OSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its All-Big Ten Men’s Basketball Teams and individual award winners for the 2025-26 season. A total of 15 student-athletes were selected to the All-Big Ten teams by the coaches and the media. Additionally, 11 student-athletes were awarded honorable mention status

Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was named Big Ten Player of the Year by both the league’s coaches and the media. Lendeborg is the sixth Wolverine to earn the honor and the first since Nik Stauskas in 2014

Lendeborg stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 blocked shots, and 1.2 steals per game while averaging just shy of 30 minutes per game. The Pennsauken, N.J. native has scored in double figures in 24 of Michigan’s 31 games and secured north of 10 rebounds on seven occasions.

Fellow Wolverine Aday Mara was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, joining two-time winner Gary Grant in 1987 and 1988. The sophomore leads the Big Ten ranks fifth in the country with 80 total blocked shots and 2.58 blocks per game

Both the coaches and media selected Illinois’ Keaton Wagler as Freshman of the Year. Wagler averaged a team-leading 17.9 points and broke the Illinois freshman scoring record, previously held by Cory Bradford in 1998-99, also a previous Big Ten Freshman of the Year honoree. Wagler also joins D.J. Richardson (2010) and Kofi Cockburn (2020) as previous Illini Freshman of the Year

Nebraska freshman Braden Frager was named Sixth Man of the Year, a first for the Huskers. Frager’s 11.7 points per game were good for third on the team, while his 5.9 rebounds led the squad. A three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Frager posted six 20-point games this season, including a January 13th contest that saw him go 8-for-13 from three-point range.

The coaches selected Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg as Coach of the Year. This is the second Big Ten Coach of the Yeah honor for Hoiberg, who has led the Huskers to a program record 15 Big Ten victories and 26 wins in total, tying the school record. The Huskers finished tied for second in the Big Ten regular-season standings, the program’s best finish since a runner-up showing in the Big Eight in 1992-93.

The media chose Michigan’s Dusty May as its Coach of the Year. May led the Wolverines to the number one seed in the Big Ten Tournament and their 16th conference title. The Wolverines enter postseason play with a 29-2 record, highlighted by 24 wins by double figures, including 13 by 20 or more, 10 by 30 or more, and a Big Ten-record seven victories by 40 or more points, along with one win by 50 or more points.

Wisconsin assistant coach Sharif Chambliss is this year’s recipient of the Howard Moore Assistant Coach of the Year Award. A former Wisconsin captain, Chambliss has spent the last five seasons on the Badger bench. Chambliss, who helped the Badgers secure the 2022 Big Ten regular season title remains active in the Madison community by volunteering for the Badger Challenge, Balance and Believe, Garding Against Cancer events, among others.

The Howard Moore Award, which honors former Wisconsin student-athlete and assistant coach Howard Moore, is presented to a men’s basketball assistant coach who demonstrates commitment to the development of student-athletes on and off the court; who has made a measurable contribution to the betterment of their community; and who has shown a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The recipient shall have made a demonstrable positive impact on the lives of those with whom they interact.

Moore has had an impact on the Big Ten Conference at all levels, playing on the Wisconsin basketball team from 1992-95, holding an assistant coaching role for the Badgers from 2006-10 and 2016-19 and serving as an analyst on the Big Ten Network. His impact extends far beyond basketball where his Moore Foundation was an extension of the way he lives his life: being selfless and putting others first. His career was tragically cut short in May of 2019 when an accident with a drunk driver claimed the lives of his wife and daughter and left him with life-altering disabilities.

The Big Ten also recognized 18 Sportsmanship Award honorees. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.

The awards are voted on by conference coaches and a select media panel. The complete list of All-Conference honorees and individual award winners is below.

2025-26 All-Big Ten Men’s Basketball Honors
As selected by Big Ten Coaches

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Aday Mara, Michigan

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Keaton Wagler, Illinois

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR
Braden Frager, Nebraska

COACH OF THE YEAR
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska

HOWARD MOORE ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sharif Chambliss, Wisconsin

FIRST TEAM
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
Braden Smith, Purdue

SECOND TEAM
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Nick Boyd, Wisconsin

THIRD TEAM
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Aday Mara, Michigan
Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Hannes Steinbach, Washington
John Blackwell, Wisconsin

HONORABLE MENTION
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Jaxon Kohler, Michigan State
Cade Tyson, Minnesota
Sam Hoiberg, Nebraska
Rienk Mast, Nebraska
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
Donovan Dent, UCLA

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
David Mirkovic, Illinois
KEATON WAGLER, Illinois
Trey McKenney, Michigan
Braden Frager, Nebraska
Hannes Steinbach, Washington

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Kylan Boswell, Illinois
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Aday Mara, Michigan
Sam Hoiberg, Nebraska

2025-26 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Jake Davis, ILL; Conor Enright, IND; Bennett Stirtz, IOWA; Collin Metcalf, MD; Will Tschetter, MICH; Carson Cooper, MSU; Bobby Durkin, MINN; Rienk Mast, NEB; Nick Martinelli, NU; Bruce Thornton, OSU; Sean Stewart, ORE; Josh Reed, PSU; Liam Murphy, PUR; Jahmichael Davis, RU; Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA; Terrance Williams II, USC; Zoom Diallo, WASH; Isaac Gard, WIS.


2025-26 All-Big Ten Men’s Basketball Honors
As selected by Media Voting Panel

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Keaton Wagler, Illinois

COACH OF THE YEAR
Dusty May, Michigan

FIRST TEAM
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
YAXEL LENDEBORG, Michigan
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Braden Smith, Purdue

SECOND TEAM
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Nick Boyd, Wisconsin

THIRD TEAM
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Aday Mara, Michigan
Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Hannes Steinbach, Washington
John Blackwell, Wisconsin

HONORABLE MENTION
Kylan Boswell, Illinois
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Jaxon Kohler, Michigan State
Cade Tyson, Minnesota
Sam Hoiberg, Nebraska
Rienk Mast, Nebraska
John Mobley Jr., Ohio State
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
Tariq Francis, Rutgers
Donovan Dent, UCLA

Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS

[mrsticka]

Nebraska just lost to Purdue 74-58. Stagburn it!

[jag42]

And the Huskers will be a #3 or #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and lose to a #14 or #13 seed in first round. Maintaining their record of only school from a major conference without an NCAA Tournament win.

[Busguy2010]

All that to get bounced in their first game? Why did I feel that coming from a mile away? Let's just say they did it on purpose to rest up for the tournament

I'm with you jag. Its like the major Husker sports programs are allergic to following through after a good/decent season.

[djc311]

Unfortunately, I have to admit they’re not nearly as good as people would like to think they are and should accept they won’t do well in the tournament. They are a lot better than in recent years, but they can’t hang with the top 10 teams.

[CBJason]

lol, 2 months ago this team was the greatest thing since sliced bread! Ya’ll need to relax. They have what it takes to easily win a first round game.

[Greg S]

lol, 2 months ago this team was the greatest thing since sliced bread! Ya’ll need to relax. They have what it takes to easily win a first round game.

Yeah hoping this game was a bit of a wake up call. Sam Hoiberg in his postgame interview took it the right way.

Saw Conner Essegian post on twitter when the team arrived on Lincoln, most of the team went right to the court and back to work.

[Greg S]

Purdue goes on to win the Big 10
Tournament championship over Michigan 80-72.

[mrsticka]

Nebraska will play Troy in the South Region in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

[Greg S]

Nebraska will play Troy in the South Region in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

CBS just showed overall seeds of 1-4 seeds. Nebraska was the #13 overall (so they are the highest seeded of the #4 seeds).

[mrsticka]

I don't know anything about Troy. I guess we'll have to see what kind of opponent they will be. Hopefully, Nebraska can beat them.

[Louie]

Purdue goes on to win the Big 10
Tournament championship over Michigan 80-72.

Purdue is getting hot at the right time.

[nebugeater]

I don't know anything about Troy. I guess we'll have to see what kind of opponent they will be. Hopefully, Nebraska can beat them.

Huskers are 13.5-point favs over Troy at a couple of places I checked. That being said, don't take anything for granted. I have to believe that the "never winning a tournament game" plays into the heads more than they will ever admit. Hope they get that off their back.


ESPN projects a Nebraska win chance at 92%

[Greg S]

Purdue goes on to win the Big 10
Tournament championship over Michigan 80-72.

Purdue is getting hot at the right time.

Yeah they are. I for one forgot until it got mentioned yesterday that they were the preseason number 1 team. I actually really like their head coach too, Matt Painter.

[jag42]

I don't know anything about Troy. I guess we'll have to see what kind of opponent they will be. Hopefully, Nebraska can beat them.

Troy, like Nebraska, has never won an NCAA Tournament game. One will for sure this week.

[mrsticka]

Well, it's time Nebraska got its first win in the NCAA Tournament. If they do, they'll more than likely face Vanderbilt afterwards.

[OmahaRedWing]

Purdue goes on to win the Big 10
Tournament championship over Michigan 80-72.

Purdue is getting hot at the right time.

Yeah they are. I for one forgot until it got mentioned yesterday that they were the preseason number 1 team. I actually really like their head coach too, Matt Painter.

The tournament committee definitely saw how well Purdue has been playing, giving them a 2 seed.

[Brad]

Watched the Colorado Avalanche VS Dallas Stars hockey Game tonight. After the game during the post game show they were talking about the NCAA BB tournament and one of the commentators said "Nebraska, I didn't even know they had a basketball team"... LOL

[mrsticka]

Watched the Colorado Avalanche VS Dallas Stars hockey Game tonight. After the game during the post game show they were talking about the NCAA BB tournament and one of the commentators said "Nebraska, I didn't even know they had a basketball team"... LOL

[nebugeater]

Halftime Huskers up 41 - 25 at half. Like what I have seen so far. No go play the second half the same way

[djc311]

They cleaned up in that game! Glad to see them win their first round (ever)! 76-47

[mrsticka]

Game’s over. Nebraska won 76-47. They finally got their first win in the NCAA Tournament. On Saturday, they’ll face either McNeese or Vanderbilt.

[Greg S]

Not going to lie, there were tears.....

GBR