The Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball team is doing more than just winning-they're rewriting the history books.
At 20-0 overall and 9-0 in Big Ten play, Nebraska has climbed to No. 5 in the latest AP poll, marking the highest ranking in program history. That’s not just a number next to their name-it’s a statement. A team that’s long been on the outside looking in is now firmly entrenched in the national conversation.
And they’ve earned every bit of it.
This isn’t a case of a soft schedule inflating a record. The Huskers have gone toe-to-toe with some of the Big Ten’s best and walked away with statement wins-most notably against then-No.
13 Illinois and No. 9 Michigan.
Those aren’t just resume builders-they're proof that this team can hang with anyone in the country.
What’s driving Nebraska’s historic run? Efficiency and balance.
The Huskers are putting up 80.9 points per game while holding opponents to just 65. That’s a 15-point margin-one of the clearest signs of a team that’s not just winning, but controlling games on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, they’re surgical. Nebraska is averaging just nine turnovers per game, which ranks fifth nationally.
That kind of ball security is rare, especially for a team that also averages 18.6 assists per game-13th best in the country. That tells you they’re not just protecting the ball; they’re moving it with purpose.
Inside the arc, they’ve been lights out, shooting 60.2% on two-pointers-good for 14th in the nation. From beyond the arc, they’re hitting at a 30.6% clip. While that ranks 16th nationally in college basketball, it’s clear that their bread and butter is smart shot selection and high-percentage looks inside.
Leading the charge is junior forward Pryce Sandfort, a transfer from Iowa who’s quickly become the heartbeat of this team. He’s averaging 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game-and it’s not just the numbers. Sandfort brings a veteran poise and a scorer’s mentality that gives Nebraska a go-to option when things get tight.
But now comes the real test.
Fred Hoiberg’s squad is staring down a brutal stretch that could define their season-and maybe even their postseason ceiling.
First up: a trip to Ann Arbor to face No. 3 Michigan.
The Wolverines are 18-1 and 8-1 in the Big Ten, with their only blemish coming against Wisconsin. It’s a marquee matchup that could shake up the conference standings and the national rankings.
Then comes a rematch with Illinois, followed by a tricky matchup with Rutgers, and a home showdown against No. 12 Purdue. That’s a gauntlet by any measure, and it’s going to demand Nebraska’s best basketball-night in and night out.
If the Huskers can navigate this stretch and come out clean, the conversation shifts from “Can they contend?” to “Who’s stopping them?”
But as any coach will tell you-and Hoiberg surely is-this is still a one-game-at-a-time journey. The rankings are nice, the record is historic, but the mission is far from over.
Still, if you’re a Nebraska fan, it’s hard not to feel something special brewing in Lincoln. This isn’t just a hot start. This is a team with identity, depth, and a real shot to make March memorable.