Fred Hoiberg’s Nebraska Cornhuskers are doing more than just winning games - they’re rewriting the program’s history book in real time. At 17-0, Nebraska is one of just three undefeated teams left in college basketball, standing shoulder to shoulder with national powerhouse Arizona and surprise contender Miami (Ohio).
And make no mistake - this isn’t a fluke built on a soft schedule. The Huskers have earned every bit of their spotless record.
What’s making this run so compelling isn’t just the wins - it’s who they’re beating and how they’re doing it. Nebraska didn’t pad its resume with cupcakes in the non-conference slate.
They went toe-to-toe with other power conference programs and came out on top. Wins over Oklahoma, Kansas State, and in-state rival Creighton gave this team a serious early-season edge.
Those victories weren’t just confidence boosters - they were statement games.
Then came Big Ten play, where things tend to get real in a hurry. The Huskers didn’t blink.
They knocked off No. 13 Illinois on the road and followed that up with a gritty, down-to-the-wire win over No.
9 Michigan State. Those are the kinds of games that test a team’s mettle - and Nebraska passed with flying colors.
Add in a comeback win at Indiana’s Assembly Hall, a place where wins don’t come easy, and a dominant showing against Oregon, and you start to see the full picture: this team isn’t just getting hot - they’re for real.
Hoiberg, now in his fifth season at the helm in Lincoln, has clearly built something special. And it’s not just the fans taking notice - former players and alumni are reaching out, too. Hoiberg shared this week that he’s been hearing from former Huskers who are loving what they’re seeing on the court.
“I've gotten a lot of messages from former players just saying how much they enjoy watching us,” Hoiberg said. “A lot of it is because they're diving on the floor and passing and taking care of the ball and physicality, so it's been fun to see messages from your alumni or former players, and that's an important part of it, and at the end of the day, that's what it's all about.”
That kind of praise doesn’t come easy. It’s earned through hustle plays, smart possessions, and a toughness that resonates with anyone who’s worn the jersey. This team isn’t just winning - they’re playing the kind of basketball that inspires pride.
Now, with a matchup against Northwestern on deck, the Huskers have a chance to keep the momentum rolling. There’s still a long road ahead - Big Ten play is a grind, and March is a different animal altogether - but Nebraska has already positioned itself for a potential high seed come tournament time.
They’re not just a fun story anymore. They’re a team that has to be taken seriously. And if they keep this up, they might just force their way into the national spotlight for good.