Nebraska

Likes, dislikes from Iowa basketball’s win over Nebraska

Published

2 months ago

February 18, 2026

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Likes, dislikes from Iowa basketball’s win over Nebraska

IOWA CITY — Iowa men’s basketball defeated No. 9 Nebraska 57-52 on Feb. 17 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Bennett Stirtz led Iowa with 25 points and Cooper Koch added 10 as the Hawkeyes tallied their first victory against a ranked team in the Ben McCollum era. The Hawkeyes handed Nebraska just their fourth loss this season.

The Hawkeyes improved to 19-7 and 9-6 in Big Ten play. The Huskers are 22-4 and 11-4.

Here are likes and dislikes from the game.

Likes

Bennett Stirtz’s effort: It wasn’t Stirtz’s most efficient game. He scored 25 points on 8-of-22 from the field. But so much of the playmaking and scoring burden was on his shoulders. He also spent a substantial amount of time guarding Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska’s leading scorer. Just an incredible showing of determination by Stirtz.
Stirtz in crunch time: Stirtz was the best player on the floor down the stretch and willed the Hawkeyes to victory.
Rebounding: Iowa’s work on the glass played an important part in the game. The Hawkeyes dominated on the boards, outrebounding Nebraska 37-24.
Offensive rebounding: This category was 12-2 in favor Iowa. This came up big in crunch time. The Hawkeyes didn’t capitalize them as much as they could’ve but still outscored Nebraska 8-4 in second-chance points.
Defense: The Hawkeyes were smothering on the defensive end. Nebraska was held to just 41% from the field and 21% from deep. The Cornhuskers also turned it over 12 times. Nebraska was held to a season-low 52 points. Their previous low was 58 against Michigan State.
Limiting Pryce Sandfort: The former Hawkeye wasn’t totally shut down, scoring 13 points, but Iowa made life difficult on him and held him below his season average. Sandfort only got up seven shots from the field and was 2-of-6 from deep. Credit to Stirtz for helping contain Sandfort.
Free throws: The Hawkeyes took advantage of their opportunities at the charity stripe, shooting 17-of-18 from the free-throw line.
Tavion Banks: He was great on the boards, hauling in a team-high 10 rebounds. He also scored six points. Iowa coach Ben McCollum said Banks was “probably the unsung hero.”
Signature win: Iowa picks up its first signature win of the Ben McCollum era. This is a resume-building victory for the Hawkeyes with the NCAA Tournament on the horizon.

Video: Ben McCollum reacts to Iowa basketball’s win over Nebraska

Ben McCollum meets with media after Iowa basketball’s 57-52 win over Nebraska.

Dislikes

Turnovers: Iowa had been taking care of the ball incredibly well, but that wasn’t the case against Nebraska. The Hawkeyes turned the ball over 12 times. Nine of those came in the first half. That was the first time since Jan. 28 against USC that Iowa’s turnovers were in double-figures.
Offense: Another rough showing by Iowa’s offense, which struggled for the third game in a row. The Hawkeyes shot just 33% from the field and 26% from deep. Pretty brutal game shooting for the Hawkeyes.
Not enough help outside of Stirtz: There were contributions sprinkled in here and there. Cooper Koch had 10 points and Alvaro Folgueiras had seven. But so much of the scoring and playmaking burden was on Stirtz.

Video: Bennett Stirtz, Cooper Koch react to Iowa’s win over Nebraska

Bennett Stirtz and Cooper Koch meet with media after Iowa basketball’s 57-52 win over Nebraska.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com

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Nebraska

Nebraska basketball star Braden Frager returning for next season

Published

5 hours ago

April 10, 2026

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Nebraska basketball star Braden Frager returning for next season

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Nebraska

Belmont forward Orme commits to Nebraska

Published

17 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Belmont forward Orme commits to Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska received its first commitment from the 2026 transfer portal on Thursday. Belmont forward Sam Orme gave his pledge to the Huskers.

Orme is a 6-foot-9 sophomore that emerged as a top portal target earlier in the week. Orme averaged 12.7 points while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor for the Bruins.

Orme joins Nebraska after the most successful season in program history. The Huskers won 28 games and advanced at the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

Orme’s commitment comes on the same day that Braden Frager, the 2026 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, re-signed with the Huskers.

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Nebraska

Nebraska volleyball ready to open spring play against Iowa State

Published

1 day ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska volleyball ready to open spring play against Iowa State

Nebraska volleyball will play in three exhibition matches this spring. The Huskers will open the spring against Iowa State on April 11 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Cornhuskers are hitting the road for all three spring exhibition matches as the John Cook Arena at the Devaney Center has been under construction since late February. The facility is undergoing locker room upgrades and adding roughly 10,000 new seats with cupholders.

Last season, Nebraska finished the season 33-1 and No. 3 in the final AVCA poll. Iowa State ended the season 23-8 and lost to Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The Cyclones are coached by Christy Johnson-Lynch, who is entering her 22nd year as head volleyball coach. She also played and coached at Nebraska.

She was an All-American for the Huskers in 1994 and 1995. Johnson-Lynch was the starting setter for the 1995 team, which won the school’s first national volleyball championship.

This is the first spring season in which the Huskers will play three exhibition matches. Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly is excited about the potential to play against a different team and in a gym packed with Nebraska fans.

“Not only do we get to play against an opponent, but in front of fans and have that added pressure and a different vibe. I think that’s what this team needs. And when we’re ready for things, we need to continue to push them and not hold them back.”

Following Saturday’s match against Iowa State, the Huskers will play Creighton on Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at the D.J. Sokol Arena in Omaha. Nebraska ends the spring season with an exhibition match against Northern Colorado on Saturday, April 25, at the Chicoine Center in Chadron, NE.

First serve on Saturday between the Huskers and Cyclones is at 1 p.m. CT from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. The game can be seen on the Big Ten Network, and Cornhuskers Wire will have live updates.

LINK: How to watch Nebraska volleyball face Iowa State this Saturday

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