Nebraska

Nebraska MBB Recap: Huskers Cruise to 18-0 with a 77-58 Win

Published

2 months ago

January 17, 2026

Nebraska MBB Recap: Huskers Cruise to 18-0 with a 77-58 Win

Nebraska needed to get off to a good start, and it was an ok one. The Huskers used an 8-0 run to take and early three point lead, but then the back-and-forth battle began. Nick Martinelli, scourge of Nebraska and one of the nation’s leading scorers, started to get plenty of looks early. The Wildcats would hit 5 straight field goals and 7 of their first 11 to start the game.

Martinelli was already in double figures shortly after the 10-minute mark. Both teams would go scoreless of 2:30 at the same time, leading to a little bit of a lull. Nebraska would start to keep Northwestern at bay, keeping the lead between three and seven points. Nebraska would take a 34-29 lead into the locker room.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – JANUARY 2: Rienk Mast #51 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers celebrates after scoring a three-point basket against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 2, 2026 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

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Nebraska shot 13-28 for 46% from the floor. They went 5-15 for 33% from deep and 3-5 for 60% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 13 rebounds, 2 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 11 assists to just 3 turnovers. They had 14 points in the paint.

The Huskers were led by Pryce Sandfort, who had 9 points. Jamarques Lawrence and Braden Frager had 8 each. Sam Hoiberg led the way with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Lawrence had 3 steals.

Northwestern shot 12-30 for 40% from the floor. They went 2-6 for 33% from deep and 3-4 for 75% from the free-throw line. The Wildcats collected 21 rebounds, 7 of which were offensive. Northwestern had 7 assists to 6 turnovers. They had 12 points in the paint.

The Wildcats were led by Nick Martinelli, who had 15 points. Martinelli also had 8 rebounds, including 5 of the offensive boards. Angelo Ciaravino contributed 5 rebounds. Jake West, Jayden Reid and Ciaravino each had 2 assists.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 05: Sam Hoiberg #1 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers dribbles the ball against the Boise State Broncos in the first half in a semifinal game of the College Basketball Crown tournament at T-Mobile Arena on April 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cornhuskers defeated the Broncos 79-69. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

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Nebraska has usually done a good job of coming out with another gear to start the second half of games, and the Huskers certainly did that. Nebraska started 3-3 from the floor to open a double-digit lead. Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager did exactly what they did to Oregon in the previous game, shooting the ball very well to open up the lead in a big way. Nebraska officially blew the door open using a 17-3 run over a 5:49 time span.

The Huskers would lead by 19 after that, and Northwestern wouldn’t get close after that. Nebraska would shoot 60% for most of the second half, which really helped open things up. Martinelli still got his, as he would carry Northwestern again, but he definitely needs some help if the Wildcats want to win games in the Big Ten.

Nov 11, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Pryce Sandfort (21) shoots a three point basket against the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

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FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:

Nebraska shot 27-53 for 51% from the floor. They went 11-26 for 42% from deep and 12-15 for 80% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 28 rebounds, 6 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 18 assists to just 5 turnovers. Nebraska had 28 points in the paint.

The Huskers were led by Pryce Sandfort, who had 22 points. Braden Frager contributed with 20 points off the bench. Sam Hoiberg led the way with 7 rebounds. 4 different Huskers finished with 4 assists. Jamarques Lawrence had 3 steals.

Northwestern shot 23-54 for 43% from the floor. They went 5-14 for 36% from deep and 7-10 for 70% from the free-throw line. The Wildcats collected 30 rebounds, 9 of which were offensive. Northwestern had 15 assists to 11 turnovers. They had 24 points in the paint.

The Wildcats were led by Nick Martinelli, who had 22 points. Tre Singleton finished with 14. Martinelli also led the way with 10 rebounds. Jayden Reid finished with 5 assists.

Nebraska Head Coach Fred Hoiberg during the Indiana versus Nebraska mens basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.

Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This one ended up being pretty straightforward for Nebraska in the end. The Huskers did a good job of keeping Northwestern at bay throughout the first half. Nebraska would go on another huge run in the second half, which it has done most of the season to blow the door open. Nick Martinelli still scored about right at his average for the Wildcats, but it took him 20 field goal attempts to get there.

Northwestern doesn’t have much in terms of secondary scoring. 3 Huskers finished in double figures, with two others within a basket of finishing with double digits. The Huskers are back in action on Wednesday night, as they host Washington. Tip-off at Pinnacle Bank Arena is scheduled for 8:00 pm and can be seen on the Big Ten Network. Go Big Red!

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Nebraska

What Troy coach Scott Cross said after first-round loss to Nebraska

Published

4 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

What Troy coach Scott Cross said after first-round loss to Nebraska

Troy coach Scott Cross met with the media following his team’s 76-47 loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The victory was the first NCAA Tournament win in Nebraska basketball history.

The Huskers were led by Pryce Sandfort, who scored 23 points in the victory. The former Iowa Hawkeye shot 7-of-13 from the floor and 7-of-12 from the 3-point line. Rienk Mast contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds in the win.

As a team, the Huskers shot 25-of-65 from the field, 14-of-39 from the 3-point line and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Troy shot 13-of-46 from the floor, 8-of-28 from beyond the arc and 13-of-14 from the charity stripe.

Cross told the press that while the defeat was difficult to take, he knows his team won’t let this season be defined by this one loss.

“Thank you for being here. I would like to thank the good Lord for the opportunity to just have your guts absolutely ripped out. It stinks, but I told our guys in the locker room, they’re not defined by this basketball game.”

Troy entered the NCAA Tournament on a four-game winning streak after earning the regular-season and tournament titles in the Sun Belt Conference. Cross acknowledged that this Nebraska team is one of the best teams he’s seen in his over 25 years of coaching.

“They played an amazing team. Nebraska is one of the best teams. I’ve been doing this since 1998. They’re really, really freaking good. The way they shoot the basketball and the way they defend, watching it on video, you’re, like, man, there’s no openings as you watch it on video.”

Nebraska and Vanderbilt will play on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on TNT.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: What Troy coach Scott Cross said after first-round loss to Nebraska

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Nebraska

How to buy Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska 2026 March Madness tickets

Published

16 hours ago

March 19, 2026

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How to buy Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska 2026 March Madness tickets

No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the No. 12 McNeese State Cowboys in the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Vanderbilt eliminated McNeese by a score of 78-68 on Thursday afternoon in Oklahoma City. McNeese took the lead early in the first half, but Vanderbilt came back in the second half in a close, back-and-forth game.

Now, Vanderbilt will face off against the No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second round at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City on Saturday, March 21.

Here is everything you need to know in order to buy Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska March Madness basketball second round tickets.

Shop Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska March Madness tickets

When is March Madness 2026?

The First Four tipped off the 2026 March Madness tournament on Tuesday, March 17. The two rounds run between Thursday, March 19 and Sunday, March 22. The tournament concludes with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.

Vanderbilt March Madness next opponent

Vanderbilt earned a No. 5 seed in the South regional. They defeated McNeese in its opening game and have advanced to the Round of 32, where they will play the No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Tickets to Vanderbilt’s Round of 32 game start at $193.

Vanderbilt March Madness basketball tickets

Limited Vanderbilt NCAA Tournament tickets are still available for the Round of 32. Get your Vanderbilt March Madness tickets now.

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Vanderbilt March Madness schedule

After defeating McNeese on Thursday, No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores will take on No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday, March 21. The tipoff time for that game is still to be determined. Shop Vanderbilt Round of 32 tickets now.

More March Madness: Everything fans need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Vanderbilt March Madness game locations

Vanderbilt will play their Round of 32 game at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City on Saturday, March 21.

Limited tickets for the Round of 32 March Madness in Oklahoma City are available. Shop your Vanderbilt NCAA Tournament tickets now.

Vanderbilt Sweet 16 tickets

If the Commodores were to advance to the Sweet 16, they’d travel to they’d travel to Houston, Texas. Sweet 16 tickets in Houston are already available starting at $207.

Shop Vanderbilt basketball tickets

March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament

April 6: National Championship
March 19-20: First round
March 21-22: Second round
March 26-27: Sweet 16
March 28-29: Elite 8
April 4-5: Final Four

Shop ALL March Madness tickets

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Nebraska

Has Nebraska won an NCAA Tournament game? Cornhuskers’ March Madness history

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Has Nebraska won an NCAA Tournament game? Cornhuskers’ March Madness history

Nebraska men’s basketball is amid an historic season in 2025-26, earning a program-best No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It’s unprecedented territory for the Cornhuskers, who have never experienced success in March Madness.

Literally.

Seventh-year coach Fred Hoiberg didn’t make the NCAA tournament with Nebraska until his fifth season with the program in 2023-24. The Cornhuskers missed the big dance again last season, although they won the inaugural College Basketball Crown championship before winning 20 consecutive games to start the 2025-26 season.

No. 13 seed Troy, who’s making its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, won’t be an easy out. Nebraska will also certainly be looking to lift some historical blunders off its shoulders with a win.

Here’s what to know of Nebraska’s NCAA Tournament history:

Has Nebraska ever won an NCAA Tournament game?

Nebraska is the only Power conference program to have never won a Men’s NCAA Tournament game, and has its best chance in program history to win its first when it faces Troy in the first round on Thursday, March 19.

It’s the Cornhuskers’ ninth-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, having last made the field in 2024. Nebraska lost to Texas A&M 98-83, despite being a No. 8 seed against the No. 9 Aggies in the first round.

Hoiberg said March 18 that he hasn’t addressed the program’s NCAA Tournament history leading up to the game, and that he doesn’t plan to. He did note, however, that there’s pressure involved with the game.

“I know the first question is going to be Nebraska has never won a tournament game,” Hoiberg said. “We realize that. Have I talked to our players about it? No, I haven’t. They know. They see it. Is there a pressure that goes along with that? Of course there is.”

Hoiberg’s son, Sam Hoiberg, is one of Nebraska’s top players. He also addressed what it would mean for the school to win a March Madness game.

“That’s what I’ve been dreaming of since I became a player in this program,” Sam Hoiberg said. “That’s the only thing left to do is get that tournament win. It’s the unsaid thing in every single room, is we don’t have a tournament win. So being able to do it as a senior would be pretty cool.”