No. 7 Nebraska Prepares for High-Stakes Clash with No. 12 Purdue in Lincoln
Tuesday night in Lincoln won’t just be another Big Ten battle-it’s a heavyweight showdown with major implications. No.
7 Nebraska welcomes No. 12 Purdue to Pinnacle Bank Arena for a primetime matchup that pits two of the conference’s most disciplined and dangerous teams against each other.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT, and the stage is set for a game that could shape the Big Ten title race.
The Huskers, sitting at 21-2 overall and 10-2 in conference play, are coming off a bounce-back win at Rutgers. After a couple of tough outings, Nebraska looked more like itself in that 80-68 victory, getting back to the defensive intensity and offensive rhythm that’s fueled its rise into the top 10.
Purdue, meanwhile, has steadied the ship after a mid-season stumble. The Boilermakers dropped three straight to UCLA, Illinois, and Indiana, but have since responded with back-to-back wins. At 19-4 overall, they’re very much in the hunt, and with Matt Painter at the helm and a veteran core, they’re not going away quietly.
A Year Later, Nebraska Looks for Redemption
The last time these two teams met, Purdue ran Nebraska out of the gym in a 104-68 blowout in West Lafayette. That loss still lingers for the Huskers.
“They absolutely handed it to us last year,” head coach Fred Hoiberg said. “They embarrassed us on their home court.
We’ve got to be locked in. They play so hard, they’re always on the floor, and they play together.
You can’t give them anything easy.”
This time around, Nebraska gets Purdue on its home floor-and with a lot more momentum on its side.
Purdue’s Offense: Efficient, Experienced, and Dangerous
If you’re looking for a clinic in offensive execution, Purdue is about as close as it gets. The Boilermakers rank third nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, and it all starts with their floor general, Braden Smith.
The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year is more than just a facilitator-he’s a maestro. Smith is averaging 8.7 assists per game (second in the nation), and he’s not just racking up numbers-he’s doing it with precision. He leads Purdue in scoring at 15.7 points per game, shooting a blistering 49.6% from the field and 42.7% from three.
“He’s one of the best three-level scorers in the country,” Hoiberg said. “His ability to get into the pocket and make plays-he might be the best pocket passer I’ve ever seen.”
Smith’s ability to draw defenders and find open shooters makes Purdue lethal. And he’s not alone.
Fletcher Loyer has been heating up, averaging 13.4 points while hitting 40.6% from deep. Hoiberg noted Loyer’s recent scoring surge, including 29 and 19-point outings in his last two games.
Inside, Purdue gets muscle and consistency from Trey Kaufman-Renn, who leads the team in rebounding (8.3 per game) and chips in 12.7 points. Oscar Cluff, a South Dakota State transfer, adds size and toughness in the paint with 10.7 points and 7.2 boards per game.
Defense Without Fouling: Purdue’s Quiet Strength
While the offense gets the headlines, Purdue’s defense is quietly elite. They rank 26th in adjusted defensive efficiency and do a phenomenal job of defending without fouling. Opponents get to the line on just 24.2% of possessions-seventh-best in the country.
They also make life tough inside. Even though they don’t block a ton of shots, they force tough looks.
Opponents are taking two-point shots from an average distance of 7.2 feet-also seventh nationally. That speaks to how well Purdue walls off the paint and contests without overcommitting.
Nebraska’s Keys to Victory
For Nebraska to come out on top, it starts with ball security. The Huskers have been one of the best teams in the country at protecting the rock, ranking seventh in offensive turnover percentage (13.0%). And when they do turn it over, it’s rarely a live-ball giveaway-opponents have the lowest steal rate in the nation against Nebraska at just 6.6%.
That’s going to be crucial against a Purdue team that doesn’t force a ton of steals (8.5% steal rate, 259th nationally), but thrives on capitalizing on mistakes.
“Taking care of the basketball is huge in a game like this,” Hoiberg said. “We’ve done a good job all year, but you can’t give them easy buckets. They’re too good.”
The turnover battle could be a swing factor. Nebraska’s +4.2 turnover margin ranks 12th nationally. If they can win the points-off-turnovers category, they’ll be in business.
Another key? Disrupting Purdue’s rhythm with active hands and deflections. Hoiberg sets a team goal of 25 deflections per game-a number that helps fuel Nebraska’s defense and transition game.
“It’s hard to do that against Purdue,” Hoiberg admitted. “They’re so disciplined, such good passers. But you’ve got to contest everything-shots, passes, all of it.”
Controlling the Glass
The final piece of the puzzle: rebounding. Purdue’s size and physicality give them a +7.2 rebounding margin, good for 21st in the country. They rank 44th in offensive rebounding percentage and have the length to punish teams that don’t finish possessions.
Nebraska doesn’t need to dominate the glass-but they can’t get overwhelmed. In similar matchups earlier this season, the Huskers managed to stay within 12 rebounds, and that’s the benchmark again.
“They’ve got length, they crash the boards,” Hoiberg said. “We’ve got to finish possessions. I thought we were better against Rutgers than we were in the previous two games.”
Final Word
This is the kind of game that defines seasons. For Nebraska, it’s a chance to avenge last year’s blowout and solidify their place among the Big Ten’s elite. For Purdue, it’s an opportunity to reassert itself as a contender and keep climbing.
Two disciplined, well-coached teams. Two elite point guards. One massive Big Ten clash.
Get your popcorn ready-this one’s got all the makings of a classic.