It was a weekend to remember for Nebraska basketball fans, with both the men’s and women’s teams picking up wins and building momentum as the season heats up.
Let’s start with the men. Nebraska handled business against Minnesota, and while the first half was shaky - the Huskers trailed 36-30 at the break and couldn’t buy a bucket from beyond the arc (just 2-of-11 from three) - the second half was a different story entirely.
Head coach Fred Hoiberg summed it up best: “The second half we really flipped it. Everything started with our defense.”
That defensive intensity sparked a 46-21 second-half surge that turned a tight contest into a comfortable 76-57 win. That’s now 24 straight wins at home for Nebraska - a streak that speaks to the energy inside Pinnacle Bank Arena and the identity this team is starting to forge.
The Huskers are defending, they’re grinding, and they’re showing the kind of resilience that travels - which is good, because they’ve got a big one on the road Tuesday in Ann Arbor. That matchup has been circled for a while now, and it’s shaping up to be a real litmus test for how far this team can go.
On the women’s side, the No. 24 Huskers were in need of a bounce-back performance, and they got it.
After dropping five of their last seven, Nebraska dug deep and pulled off a gritty 81-75 win over Illinois. It wasn’t perfect, but it was exactly what the team needed - a confidence-restoring win in front of the home crowd that could help reset the tone for the stretch run.
This group has shown flashes of real potential; now it’s about consistency and building off this momentum.
Shifting gears - and taste buds - Nebraska also found itself in an unexpected national conversation this week, but not for its sports. A recent survey of 5,000 Americans (split evenly by state) ranked Nebraska among the states people were least likely to love for its food.
The dish that was pegged as most representative of the state? Runza sandwiches.
Now, Runza has its place. It’s a local staple, a comfort food that’s uniquely Nebraskan.
But if we’re talking about what truly represents the Cornhusker State’s culinary identity, it’s hard to ignore one word: steak. Nebraska’s steakhouse scene is elite - we’re talking about world-class beef, prepared with pride and tradition.
To leave that out of the conversation feels like missing the forest for the trees.
Sure, food surveys are subjective, and everyone’s got their regional favorites. But if you’ve ever sat down for a perfectly cooked ribeye in Lincoln or Omaha, you know Nebraska’s got a strong case to be made in any food debate.
Meanwhile, on the football front, Nebraska’s portal season was a mix of smart additions and lingering questions. The Huskers bolstered the trenches, added veteran leadership to the defense, and improved depth at key positions.
But there’s one decision - or lack thereof - that could carry some real weight heading into 2026. The pieces are there, but how it all comes together remains to be seen.
Elsewhere in the sports world, Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks are heading to the Super Bowl after a thrilling 31-27 win over the Rams in the NFC Championship. Darnold threw for three touchdowns, and Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense came up big with a clutch fourth-down stop late in the game. It’s a huge moment for Darnold, who’s found new life in the Pacific Northwest, and for a Seahawks team that’s peaking at the right time.
On the AFC side, the Patriots are back - and not just back in the playoffs, but back in the Super Bowl. Their 10-7 win over the Broncos in Denver was gritty, old-school football, with Will Campbell and Garrett Bradbury leading the charge in a locker room celebration that felt like a throwback to the Belichick-era glory days. It’s been a long climb out of the basement, but New England has found its way back to the big stage.
In the world of women’s soccer, Trinity Rodman continues to blaze her own trail. While many top American players head overseas, Rodman is proving that you can stay in the NWSL, dominate, and still command the spotlight - and the payday. She’s not chasing comfort; she’s chasing control, and she’s reshaping the narrative for what’s possible in U.S. women’s soccer.
And finally, hockey fans have reason to celebrate: the game’s best are finally headed to the Olympics. A star-studded generation, including names like Jack Eichel, will get their shot on the world’s biggest stage. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s going to be must-watch hockey.
All in all, it was a weekend full of wins - on the court, on the field, and maybe even at the dinner table (depending on where you stand on Runza vs. ribeye). One thing’s for sure: Nebraska fans have plenty to cheer about right now.