Nebraska Athletics Roundup: Hoops Hit a Rough Patch, Baseball and Softball Gear Up for Big Moments
It’s been a bumpy stretch for Nebraska basketball, especially on the women’s side. Amy Williams’ squad has now dropped four straight games - all by double digits - including a tough 84-67 loss to Minnesota.
The Huskers sit at 16-9 overall and 5-9 in Big Ten play, but perhaps most concerning is the absence of a quad-1 win on their résumé. That’s a key metric in the eyes of the NCAA Tournament selection committee, and without one, Nebraska’s tournament hopes are on shakier ground than the record might suggest.
The good news? There’s still time - and opportunity - to turn things around.
The Huskers have a handful of chances left to notch that elusive signature win. And despite the recent slide, they’re still in the projected NCAA Tournament field.
ESPN currently has them slotted as a No. 9 seed, thanks in large part to a strong NET ranking. But if they want to avoid slipping closer to the bubble, they’ll need to find their rhythm - and fast.
On the men’s side, the story is a little brighter, though not without its own concerns. Fred Hoiberg’s team has dropped three of its last four, but they’re still sitting at 21-3 - a record that all but guarantees them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The question now is seeding, and that’s where things get interesting.
According to Bracket Matrix, which compiles projections from across the country, Nebraska is hanging onto a No. 2 seed - but just barely. They’re currently the lowest-ranked of the 2-seeds, meaning one more slip-up could knock them down a line. A strong finish - something like 5-2 down the stretch - would likely lock in a top-three seed, and potentially set the Huskers up for a favorable path in March.
Baseball is Back: Huskers Open Season with High Hopes
While basketball battles through the grind of February, Nebraska baseball is gearing up for Opening Day with plenty of optimism. The Huskers kick off their 2026 campaign on Friday night against UConn, with the game airing nationally on MLB Network (7 PM CST). It’s the start of a four-game slate that also includes matchups against Northeastern, Grand Canyon, and Stanford.
Ty Horn gets the nod as the Friday night starter - a role that often sets the tone for the weekend. He’ll be followed by Carson Jasa on Saturday, a sophomore who showed flashes of promise as a true freshman last season. On Sunday, Nebraska will turn to Cooper Katskee, a big-time transfer from Miami (OH) who went 11-2 last year with a 3.08 ERA and earned All-American honors.
At the plate, the Huskers return a significant chunk of their offensive production from last season - nearly 50 percent of runs, hits, and home runs, and over 70 percent of their triples. That’s a solid foundation for a team looking to defend its Big Ten tournament title for a third straight year.
Case Sanderson is back and remains one of the most consistent bats in the lineup. He’s one of just 10 players in program history to hit .300 in each of his first two seasons. Dylan Carey also returns with some serious pop - he’s within striking distance of the school’s all-time doubles record and already has 19 career homers, 102 RBIs, and 112 runs scored.
Behind the plate, freshman Jeter Worthley is making history of his own. He’ll be the first true freshman to start at catcher for Nebraska this century - a big responsibility, but the coaching staff clearly believes in his talent.
Keep an eye on infield transfers Jett Buck and Cole Kitchens as well. They combined for 33 home runs last season and could bring some serious thump to the middle of the order.
Softball Shows Grit in Ranked Matchups
Nebraska softball is off to a competitive start, splitting a pair of ranked matchups on Thursday. The Huskers shut out LSU 6-0 in impressive fashion before falling just short in a 6-5 loss to Georgia.
They’re now 4-3 on the season heading into a big test against No. 3 Tennessee on Friday (11 AM CST, ESPN2).
Alexis Jensen continued her strong start in the circle, improving to 2-0 after tossing four scoreless innings against LSU. She gave up just one hit and struck out seven before turning things over to Jordy Frahm, who closed the door with three innings of four-strikeout ball.
Frahm didn’t just shine on the mound - she made noise at the plate too, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. That kind of two-way performance is exactly what Nebraska needs as they navigate a tough early-season schedule filled with ranked opponents.
Final Thoughts
It’s a critical stretch across the board for Nebraska athletics. The women’s basketball team is searching for a spark to keep their tournament hopes alive.
The men are playing for seeding - and maybe something bigger. Baseball is back with a loaded roster and high expectations, while softball is proving it can hang with the nation’s best.
Plenty of storylines are still unfolding, and if the Huskers can find their stride, February could be the beginning of something special across multiple sports.