No. 8 Huskers Face Northwestern this Saturday in Key Matchup
The No. 8 ranked Nebraska men’s basketball team is set to face Northwestern this Saturday in a crucial conference matchup. The game will take place at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, with the tipoff scheduled for shortly after 8 p.m. Central Time. Fans can watch the game live on BTN or listen via the Huskers Radio Network and on the official Huskers app.
Current Season Overview
The Huskers enter the game with an impressive record of 17-0 overall and 7-0 in the Big Ten. They recently secured a dominant 90-55 victory against Oregon where they matched their season high by sinking 17 three-pointers. This remarkable performance included standout contributions from Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager, who combined for 51 points.
This undefeated start is the best in Nebraska’s program history and their current ranking mirrors the highest they’ve ever achieved, previously recorded during the 1965-66 season. A win against Northwestern would not only extend their victory streak to 22 games but would also mark their best conference start since World War II.
Key Players
- Pryce Sandfort: Scored 28 points against Oregon and has been essential in three-point shooting.
- Braden Frager: Contributed significantly with 23 points, noted for sinking 7 three-pointers.
- Sam Hoiberg: Contributed 11 points, 6 steals, and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.7-to-1, ranking third nationally.
- Rienk Mast: Achieved over 1,007 career rebounds and is integral to the team’s scoring.
Recent Performance
In their last game, Nebraska shot an impressive 53% from the field and capitalized on Oregon’s 16 turnovers, converting them into 23 points. This performance marked their largest winning margin in a conference game since 1994.
Historical Context
A win on Saturday would replicate Nebraska’s best conference start since the 1965-66 season, when they also began 7-0 in the Big Eight. Historically, Nebraska has performed well in recent road games, boasting a 6-2 record in their last eight Big Ten road encounters.
Upcoming Challenge
Northwestern currently holds a record of 8-9 but has struggled within the Big Ten, sitting at 0-6. They are coming off a 79-68 loss to No. 13 Illinois, where Jayden Reid scored a career-best 28 points off the bench. The matchup against Nebraska will be crucial for Northwestern as they seek their first conference victory.
A look at the stats suggests a formidable challenge for Northwestern, but Nebraska’s performance history and current form give them a significant edge. The Huskers aim to extend their unbeaten streak and further solidify their top-tier ranking in college basketball.
