Illinois Outmuscles Nebraska in Top-10 Showdown Behind Wagler’s Second-Half Surge
For the first time ever, Pinnacle Bank Arena played host to a top-10 showdown - and it delivered on the hype. No.
5 Nebraska welcomed No. 9 Illinois in a high-stakes Big Ten clash, but it was the visiting Illini who left Lincoln with the win, taking down the Huskers 78-69 in a game that showcased Illinois’ offensive firepower and size advantage.
Despite a raucous home crowd and a breakout performance from redshirt freshman Braden Frager, Nebraska couldn’t overcome foul trouble in the second half or the relentless attack from Illinois’ star freshman point guard, who continues to look like one of the most dangerous players in the country.
Here’s a closer look at what stood out from Sunday’s heavyweight battle.
Frager Returns with a Bang, But Mast Struggles
When Braden Frager checked into the game with just over 16 minutes left in the first half, the energy inside Pinnacle Bank Arena shifted. The redshirt freshman - playing in his first game back - wasted no time making his presence felt. He dropped a team-high 20 points on 50% shooting, including a sizzling 6-of-12 from beyond the arc.
Frager’s rhythm was instant. He buried his second three-point attempt to give Nebraska an early 12-10 lead, then caught fire, hitting four of his next five from deep. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone why there’s so much buzz around the Lincoln native.
“It’s great having Braden back out there healthy,” Fred Hoiberg said after the game. “He’s a tough kid.”
But while Frager shined, senior Rienk Mast had a night to forget. The usually steady forward couldn’t find his touch, finishing just 2-for-10 from the field and going nearly 40 minutes without a single point before ending with five. It was arguably his toughest outing in a Nebraska uniform - one that clearly didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates.
“I have no doubt in my mind that he’ll be back and stronger than ever,” junior Pryce Sandfort said postgame.
For Nebraska to make a deep run this season, they’ll need both Frager’s scoring punch and Mast’s veteran presence firing at the same time. Sunday showed how much one can lift them - and how much the other’s off night can hurt.
Illinois’ Size and Length Controlled the Paint
This wasn’t the first time Illinois used its size to dominate Nebraska - and it likely won’t be the last. Back in Champaign, the Illini controlled the glass and poured in 34 points in the paint. That script didn’t change in Lincoln.
Illinois came out attacking the rim early, racking up six dunks and 14 points in the paint in the first half alone. They stayed aggressive in the second half, adding another 14 down low and pulling down six offensive boards. By the final buzzer, Illinois had out-rebounded Nebraska 40-27 - a stat that told the story of the game.
Their frontcourt depth didn’t stop with the starters either. Illinois brought 6-foot-9 senior Ben Humrichous and 7-foot-2 center Zvonimir Ivisic off the bench - a luxury few teams in the Big Ten can match.
“I think their length in the paint bothered us,” Hoiberg said. “It took away some of our cutting.”
That length didn’t just affect Nebraska’s scoring opportunities - it disrupted the flow of their offense. The Huskers struggled to generate clean looks inside, and when they did, Illinois’ size often forced rushed or altered shots.
Wagler’s Second-Half Takeover Seals It
What separates good players from great ones? The ability to take over a game when it matters most. Illinois’ star freshman point guard did exactly that.
After a quiet first half where he scored just five points, Wagler erupted in the second, pouring in 23 points on 83% shooting. He was relentless - attacking the rim, drawing contact, and knocking down 10 free throws in crunch time.
The Huskers simply had no answer for him down the stretch.
But it wasn’t just the scoring. Wagler filled the stat sheet with five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, showing once again that his impact goes far beyond the box score. This is a player who’s quickly becoming one of the most complete guards in the country - and doing it on the biggest stages.
“Wagler is playing as a first-team All-American right now,” Hoiberg said. “(Illinois is) just getting the ball in his hands and letting him go to work.”
That’s exactly what they did - and it worked to perfection.
What’s Next for the Huskers
Nebraska, now sitting at 20-2, will look to bounce back on the road when they face Rutgers on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 11:00 a.m. CT, with coverage on Big Ten Network.
This loss doesn’t derail what’s been an impressive season for the Huskers, but it does serve as a reminder: in the Big Ten, every game is a battle - and the margin for error is razor-thin. If Nebraska wants to stay in the thick of the conference race, they’ll need to regroup quickly and find a way to match the physicality and execution of teams like Illinois.
With Frager back in the fold and plenty of basketball still ahead, there’s every reason to believe they will.