As Iowa gears up to face Nebraska on Tuesday night, Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Cornhuskers-especially on the defensive end. In his pregame press conference, McCollum described Nebraska’s defense as “really strange,” but make no mistake, that’s not a knock. It’s more of a nod to how unconventional-and effective-the Huskers have been on that side of the ball.
“They force you down baseline, and they’re going to rotate, and they’re going to do their thing,” McCollum said, highlighting the unique way Nebraska defends. It’s not your standard pack-line or switch-everything scheme.
It’s more nuanced, more disruptive. And it works because of the personnel.
Sam Hoiberg, Rienk Mast, and the rest of the rotation bring a high level of communication and commitment that makes the whole thing click. According to McCollum, it’s that blend of size, discipline, and defensive IQ that makes Nebraska a tough puzzle to solve.
But McCollum didn’t stop there. He also gave credit to Nebraska’s offense, which has quietly become a more complete part of their identity this season.
And to be fair, it’s been a bit of a surprise. Nebraska missed the Big Ten Tournament last year, and few expected them to make this kind of leap.
Yet here they are, playing with a level of cohesion and confidence that’s turned heads around the conference.
“They’ve been excellent,” McCollum said, pointing to Rienk Mast’s return as a turning point. Mast’s presence has been a game-changer, not just statistically but in terms of how the team functions.
Add in Sam Hoiberg’s intangibles-his energy, his leadership, his knack for being in the right place at the right time-and suddenly Nebraska isn’t just competitive. They’re dangerous.
Tuesday night’s matchup carries a little extra weight for the Huskers. It’s a chance to notch their first win over a team with a winning record since January 10. Both teams have had their issues starting games strong, and McCollum was candid about Iowa’s own struggles in that department.
“It’s probably more of a defensive lineup to start, and we do get stops with that lineup, but we just don’t score,” he explained. “First couple possessions, I believe maybe even the first or second possession of the game, we had a point-blank layup that we just missed-something we normally make.”
That detail could end up being a key on Tuesday. If Iowa continues to stumble out of the gate and Nebraska capitalizes with an early run, the Huskers could seize control and force the Hawkeyes to play from behind. But if the script flips-if McCollum’s group finds a way to execute early-it could be Nebraska once again trying to claw their way back, something they’ve had to do too often in recent weeks.
Bottom line: this game is more than just another Big Ten clash. It’s a measuring stick for both programs.
For Iowa, it’s about tightening the screws on both ends and proving they can start strong. For Nebraska, it’s about showing that their defense isn’t just “strange”-it’s effective, and it’s here to stay.