Nebraska
Wednesday Big Ten Preview: Nebraska at Penn State
The Big Ten has three games on Wednesday and two of them have serious NCAA Tournament implications. The biggest will be in Bryce Jordan Center, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers hope to lock up a bid to this year’s March Madness. It should have a significant impact for multiple bubble teams.
With March Madness looming, every game counts! Here’s a breakdown of Wednesday’s Big Ten matchups and what’s at stake.
-Nebraska Cornhuskers at Penn State Nittany Lions
- Time/TV: 6:30 PM ET (BTN)
- KenPom Spread: Nebraska by 1
It’s been quite a ride for the Nebraska Cornhuskers so far this season. The Huskers jumped out to an incredible 12-2 start and seemed poised to cruise to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off in January, as the group lost six in a row, including two at home. Fans were panicking before Nebraska managed to get back on track, winning five of its last six games. The Huskers now enter Wednesday poised to lock up a bid to the field of 68.
This figures to be a crucial game for Fred Hoiberg and crew. While beating Penn State won’t boost the team’s resume all that much, it’s the downside of this one that needs to be mentioned. If Nebraska were to lose this one, it would be a blemish difficult to overcome with just weeks of the regular season remaining. It’s more about avoiding a land mine than scoring a massive win.
Standing in Nebraska’s way is a reeling Penn State team that’s lost 11 of its last 12 games, including a handful in brutal fashion. Its season is nearly over, but not quite yet, as the group still has time to secure a Big Ten Tournament bid to keep the dream alive. Winning on Wednesday would be a key piece of that process.
On the court, the game will center around Penn State’s backcourt, which has been led by Ace Baldwin this season. Baldwin dominates the team’s possessions and has one of the nation’s better assist rates. Sam Hoiberg, Connor Essegian, and Rollie Worster will need to find a way to to slow down Baldwin in transition and when he’s feeding wings moving toward the hoop. If they can pull it off, Nebraska’s probably going to win. However, it’ll be easier said than done — Baldwin has plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
One other thing to watch is how the teams battle on the boards. Neither group is a particularly great rebounding unit, but it generally presents as an area of weakness for the Huskers. If Penn State can get a big game from Yanic Konan Niederhauser down low, it could be a way to keep the game close enough to pull off an upset. However, it doesn’t seem all that likely given Penn State’s struggles as of late.
-Oregon Ducks at Iowa Hawkeyes
- Time/TV: 8:30 PM ET (BTN)
- KenPom Spread: Oregon by 1
This one has a similar feel to the game above, but with fewer postseason implications. Oregon is in better position for the Big Dance than Nebraska and Iowa’s resume will end up far better than Penn State’s, so there isn’t the same downsides. Still, this is a game the Ducks need to get momentum going again in Eugene.
It figures to be a fun matchup, as both sides are offensive led units that can light things up on any given night. Jackson Shelstad has been going off for the Ducks over the last few weeks and Payton Sandfort remains one of the league’s more explosive offensive players. Expect both sides to hit some big shots on Wednesday night.
The biggest question will lie upfront — can Iowa find a way to slow down Nate Bittle and Supreme Cook? Bittle has been excellent over the last two games and projects to have a serious advantage with Owen Freeman sidelined for the season. It’s why Iowa got torn apart by Maryland on Sunday and it will be the team’s biggest obstacle here.
-Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Washington Huskies
- Time/TV: 10:30 PM ET (BTN)
- KenPom Spread: Washington by 2
Entering this season, these teams couldn’t have been viewed more differently. Rutgers entered in the top 25, while the Huskies looked like the league’s bottom dweller. It seemed like when we got to this game in February, Washington would be going through the motions, while Rutgers was looking to put the final touches on an NCAA Tournament bid.
Unfortunately for Scarlet Knight fans, it hasn’t turned out that way.
Washington not only enters this one with a chance, but is outright favored by KenPom and Vegas. And the projections aren’t surprising either, as Washington gets home court and has been playing better than the Scarlet Knights. The Huskies also figure to have a clear matchup advantage down low with Great Osobor against Rutgers’ group of revolving big men. Unless Rutgers gets a massive night from Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Washington is probably going to win this one.
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Picks Record This Season: 93-28
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Which Big Ten team do you think will make the biggest statement on Wednesday? Drop your predictions below!”
Nebraska’s new quarterback has high expectations for the upcoming season. Transfer Anthony Colandrea spoke with Pete Nakos of On3 (subscription required) about his decision to transfer and his goals for the Huskers this year.
Colandrea comes to Nebraska following a breakout junior year with the Rebels. The St. Petersburg, Florida, native finished the 2025 season throwing for 3,459 yards, 23 touchdowns, and nine interceptions with a 65.9 completion percentage.
The former Rebels’ play earned him the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year award. Before UNLV, Colandrea played two seasons at Virginia. In 19 games, he totaled 4,083 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
The new Husker told Nakos that he has high expectations and is looking to play in big games at the end of the season.
“Expectations at Nebraska are to win. Like, you’re not here to just not win a national championship. I’m not coming here to just win eight or nine games. I want to win a national championship; I want to go to the playoffs. I have high expectations, and we have high expectations as a team.”
Colandrea joined a Nebraska team that was looking for a new opening day starter after Dylan Raiola transferred to the Oregon Ducks. The Husker quarterback room also includes sophomore and bowl game starter T.J. Lateef and former Virginia quarterback Daniel Kaelin. He also expressed excitement about playing in front of Nebraska fans.
“It’s the craziest fan base I’ve ever been around. My first impression was I went to a wrestling match. I would never think a wrestling match would be sold out. I walk in, and it’s like 35,000 to 40,000 people. I’m like, this is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. They bring the juice. I’m excited to play for them.”
Nebraska opens the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Ohio Bobcats visit Memorial Stadium. Kickoff time and broadcast network are still to be determined.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
In the past few years, Joel said Norris has tried to lower its tax levies, especially as property valuations have gone up. Additionally, the school hasn’t put as much into its special building fund with the idea that it would help taxpayers save more.
“That’s what led to that decision to not save as much to take care of the work, but to pass that savings on to taxpayers, with the hopes that we could get a bond issue approved to take care of that work all at once,” Joel said.
Although the election didn’t go in the school’s favor, Joel said he appreciated the feedback and conversations with the community throughout the process.
“If anything, it allowed us to share additional information regarding safety, security, infrastructure, all of that with the community, to create an awareness of the state of the district,” Joel said. “Now we can plan forward based on what the outcome of May 12 was.”
Plainview Public School offered voters two bond proposals on Tuesday, both of which failed. The district boundaries go into Pierce, Antelope and Knox counties.
The larger of the two proposals was for $26 million, which focused on the district’s academic spaces. It included improvements for safety and security, updating career and technical education spaces and equipment, and updating spaces for students with disabilities.
It overwhelmingly failed with 636 voters against and 239 in support.
The second proposal could only pass if the first one had. It was for nearly $6 million to add a new gymnasium. There were 650 voters against it and 220 in support.
Centura Public Schools in central Nebraska also saw its $18.95 million bond attempt fail, with 613 voting against it and 463 voting for it, according to unofficial results in Hall, Howard, Sherman and Buffalo counties. The district hoped to improve safety and security, modernize building systems and update classrooms. According to the bond website, the school hasn’t had major improvements since 1981.
Two school districts seemingly succeeded in passing their bonds: Pierce Public Schools and Stanton Community Schools.
The Pierce Public Schools bond amounts to nearly $10 million to expand and renovate the elementary school. According to the bond website, staff shared safety concerns about pickup and drop-off lanes, door and window security, insufficient security cameras, an inadequate intercom system and the need for an electronic lock system.
The bond includes renovating special education classrooms, enhancing security and building additional classrooms and spaces for students. It passed with 668 votes in support in Pierce County and 625 against, and in Wayne county eight for and 28 against — a 23-vote total difference, according to unofficial results from both counties.
Voters rejected a previous bond proposal for $29.5 million in August.
Stanton Community Schools passed a nearly $25 million bond for the construction of a new elementary school, which will include a multipurpose gym, an early childhood center and access to a storm shelter inside the building. Currently, students have to go outside to reach the storm shelter.
There were 607 votes for the bond in Stanton County and 522 against.
A former Nebraska running back has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ameer Abdullah signed a one-year contract with the club after spending the 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Abdullah played in 13 games with the Colts last year, mostly serving as a kick returner. He had 563 kick return yards for an average of 29.6 yards per return. An 81-yard return was his longest of the season.
The veteran is expected to add a key presence to the Jaguars’ backfield, following the departure of Travis Etienne. Abdullah was a legendary Husker running back, playing for the program from 2011 to 2014.
Abdullah ran for 4,588 yards and 62 touchdowns in his Nebraska career. He also recorded 73 receptions for 690 yards. For his career, he had 7,086 all-purpose yards and 48 total touchdowns.
He has been able to parlay his collegiate success into a successful career in the NFL playing for Detroit, Minnesota, Carolina and Las Vegas. This will be his 12th season in the league, as he continues to be a strong representative for the program.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
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