Nebraska
How to Watch Nebraska Men’s Basketball vs. Penn State: Preview, Breakdown, TV Channel
It was a roller coaster of emotions for the Nebraska men’s basketball team against Northwestern on Sunday afternoon.
Down by as much as 20 points in the second half, the Huskers pulled off their largest comeback in nearly 30 seasons by topping the Wildcats 68-64 in Evanston to add another quality win to their resume in a quest for a second-straight NCAA Tournament berth.
Trailing 41-21 early in the second half, NU out-scored Northwestern 47-23 over the final 19:15 with Brice Williams sealing the win with a pair of go-ahead free throws with 1:33 remaining in the game. Nebraska’s leading scorer held up his reputation with a team-high 21 points. Juwan Gary added 17 points while big man Braxton Meah added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
The win kept the Huskers alive in the NCAA Tournament race with five games remaining before the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis. Wednesday’s game at Penn State is listed as a Quad 2 matchup, giving NU another opportunity to pad its resume.
Here’s all you need to know as the Huskers travel to State College for a weeknight showdown against the Nittany Lions.
How to Follow Along
Penn State Scout
Head Coach: Mike Rhoades | 2nd Season at PSU; 21st as HC | 29-30 (.492) at Penn State; 402-219 (.647) Career HC Record | 3x NCAA Tournament Appearances, 4x NCAA DIII Tournament Appearances | 2x A10 regular season titles, 1x A10 Tournament titles, 4 ODAC regular season titles, 1x ODAC tournament title | 1x A10 Coach OTY (2019) | Previous head coach at VCU, Rice and Randolph-Macon | Previous assistant at VCU and Randolph-Macon.
2023-2024 Record: 16-17 (9-11 B1G, T-9th) | B1G Defensive Player OTY, 1x All-B1G Third team, 1x B1G All-Defensive team, 3x Honorable Mentions | Did not qualify for the postseason.
All-Time Series: Penn State leads 14-13 (February 17, 2024 last matchup, 68-49 NU).
Key Returners: Ace Baldwin Jr., G, Gr. | Nick Kern Jr., G, Sr. | Zach Hicks, F, Sr. | Puff Johnson, G/F, Gr. | D’Marco Dunn, G, Sr.
Key Additions: Yanic Konan Niederhauser, F, Jr. (Northern Illinois) | Freddie Dilione V, G, R-Soph. (Tennessee) | Kachi Nzeh, F, Soph. (Xavier).
Key Departures: Kanye Clary, G, Jr. (Mississippi State) | Qudus Wahab, F (Eligibility) | Jameel Brown, G, Jr. (Temple) | RayQuawndis Mitchell, G (Eligibility) | Demetrius Lilley, F, Jr. (La Salle) | Leo O’Boyle, F (Eligibility).
Outlook: Year two of the Mike Rhoades era at Penn State is looking eerily similar to year one. Coming off a 16-17 campaign last season, the Nittany Lions look headed for a .500 record in the final stretch of the year.
There was turnover at key spots for the Nittany Lions over the offseason as leading scorer Kanye Clary (16.7 PPG) took his talents to the SEC and Mississippi State. Plus, fellow starter and big man Qudus Wahab (9.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG) exhausted his college eligibility. The rest of the departures were contributors off the bench, but PSU lost six of the 12 players last season to play at least 20 games.
That forced Rhoades to replenish a roster that lost some production. What resulted was a strategy that balanced transfer portal acquisitions with a strong freshman class. Five true freshmen arrived in State College over the offseason with Dominick Stewart (19 GP) and Jahvin Carter (21 GP) leading the way.
Seven-foot junior forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser from Northern Illinois has been the big addition through the transfer portal for the Nittany Lions. He’s third on the team in scoring and one of five players to average double figures at 12.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG. Having played 18 games for Tennessee – who reached the Elite Eight last season – Freddie Dilione V transferred from the Volunteer and has averaged 9.2 PPG in his redshirt sophomore season for PSU. Xavier transfer Kachi Nzeh hasn’t stuffed the stat sheet too much at 3.0 PPG and 2.5 RPG, but he’s played in 24 of the 26 games this season off the bench.
Dead last in the Big Ten standings, the Nittany Lions will be motivated to get out of the cellar in order to qualify for the 15-team Big Ten tournament in March. It’s been a rough stretch for Penn State having lost seven-straight games dating back to January. Their last win came in a 80-72 victory over Rutgers on Jan. 20th.
Offense hasn’t been an issue for PSU at 79.5 PPG which is seventh in the conference, but the Nittany Lions are bogged down by their defense with opponents scoring 73.5 PPG which is third-highest in the Big Ten. Turnovers are also an issue with PSU averaging 12.2 per contest – second highest in the conference.
I think being on the road for a weeknight game in what’s known as a lackluster environment at State College will hurt Nebraska. It’s a trap game of sorts, but Sunday’s comeback win may remind the Huskers they can’t let their foot off the gas no matter the opponent. Give me a Nebraska victory on the road, but this could be one that NU has to grind out.
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Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
(InvestigateTV) — Sometimes sports are about more than the final score.
For Jack Burke, a high school football player in Nebraska, a medical diagnosis at birth has never stopped him from competing — and a touchdown catch in his first play back from open heart surgery proved it.
Born with a rare heart defect
Burke was born with Scimitar syndrome, a rare heart defect in which babies are born with an underdeveloped right lung and pulmonary artery. The condition also affects blood flow to the right lung. Treatment often includes surgery, and many adults with the condition go on to live healthy lives.
“As a kid, I never really understood,” Burke said. “It was always natural for me that I had to push myself harder to keep up.”
His mother, Bridget Burke, says the condition was not initially considered dangerous for sports participation.
“His Scimitar Syndrome never really came into play as being dangerous for him to play sports,” she said.
The decision to operate
That changed in the spring of 2025, when Burke’s family and doctors decided it was time for a surgery that had been anticipated for years.
“I’ve kind of known I’ve had to get surgery my whole life,” Burke said. “Once I knew I could get the surgery sooner, I was all in. I wanted to get it so I could get back to sports.”
His father, Ryan Burke, says the timing was deliberate.
“This will be done before school gets started, and still have a chance to do almost everything you want to do,” Ryan Burke said.
Jack Burke underwent open-heart surgery, leaving a visible reminder of what he went through.
“There’s a six-inch scar in the middle of his chest that represents a pretty big thing that happened,” Ryan Burke said.
For Bridget Burke, the moment her son was taken to the operating room was difficult.
“When the rubber hits the road and your kid is being wheeled back to the OR, it is scary and emotional,” she said.
The comeback
Burke eased back into football following his cardiologist’s recommended recovery timeline. His return came in week three of the season.
“Before the Schuyler game I talked to his dad and he’s like, ‘I think we might be ready,’” said coach Jay Landstrom.
Bridget Burke says the family approached the return with caution.
“I mean, I was nervous. We didn’t really know how much he would play. It was going to be some cautious situations,” she said.
Those concerns were set aside — at least for a moment — when Burke caught a touchdown pass on his very first play back.
“All the parents were high-fiving everybody and they were like, ‘Was that really Jack?’” Bridget Burke said.
Landstrom called it a special moment.
“It was just meant to be and that was really special,” he said.
For Burke, the touchdown meant something beyond the scoreboard.
“I just remember one of my teammates came up to me and said, ‘He’s back. He’s back,’” Burke said. “It kind of shows something that tried to stop me — I hurdled that obstacle.”
Burke says the surgery has given him a new sense of freedom.
“Now I can do whatever I want. Nothing can hold me back,” he said.
Copyright 2026 Gray Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 19.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
4-3-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
14-19-24-30-34
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from April 19 drawing
Red Balls: 01-02, White Balls: 09-26
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from April 19 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 16, Year: 61
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The New Orleans Saints made a big splash in free agency when they signed Travis Etienne Jr. to pair with Alvin Kamara in the backfield. Etienne’s addition probably means that the Saints won’t select a back with an early choice in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, don’t be surprised if the team adds another back with a later pick. If that’s the case, Emmett Johnson of the Nebraska Cornhuskers could be someone on their radar.
Etienne will likely be the featured back, but Kamara’s future beyond 2026 is in some doubt. Kamara turns 31 in July and is entering his 10th season with a big contract after already showing some possible decline. Behind them, Kendre Miller has proven he shouldn’t be relied on and 2025 sixth round choice Devin Neal has flashed potential but remains unproven. The Saints may be wise to add more talent to their backfield with a middle or later round pick.
Emmett Johnson bio
- Position: Running back
- College: Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Height: 5-feet, 10 inches
- Weight: 202 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.59 seconds
- 3-cone drill: 7.32 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.29 seconds
- Vertical jump: 35.5″
- Broad jump: 10′
Recipient of the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football award at Academy of Holy Angels High School, Johnson began with the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a three-star recruit. He’d take a redshirt in 2022 then rushed for 411 yards with 2 scores in 2023 as part of a backfield committee. In 2024, Johnson picked up 598 yards on the ground and caught 39 passes for 286 yards with 3 total scores.
By 2025, Johnson was the Cornhuskers featured weapon and exploded onto the national radar. Johnson’s 1,451 rushing yards and 251 carries both led the Big Ten and were among the NCAA leaders. He also caught a team-high 46 passes and scored 15 touchdowns, as his 1,821 yards from scrimmage were second across the NCAA. Those eye-popping numbers earned him 1st Team All-American honors as well as the 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
Strengths
- Hits rushing lanes with authority
- Makes sharp cuts at top speed
- Decisive north-south runner
- Good acceleration into the second level
- Legitimate receiving threat
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t have breakaway speed
- Has trouble creating yards when the hole isn’t there
- Must maintain balance better through contact
- Doesn’t break many tackles
- Only one year of high-level production
Emmett Johnson 2026 draft outlook
Johnson’s 2025 tape and production are worthy of a high pick, but teams looking for a featured back might be wary of his lack of power. Still, Johnson has a strong chance of being picked somewhere on the second day and shouldn’t last later than the fourth round. His decisive one-cut and go style and receiving ability gives him a strong chance to be an instant contributor with an incredibly high upside of a potential starter.
New Orleans has had success with late-round picks and undrafted players at running back. Emmett Johnson won’t last that long. But, if Johnson slips into Day 3, the Saints could be tempted to add him and bolster their backfield in multiple ways.
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