No. 7 Nebraska Heads to Minnesota Looking to Keep Historic Streak Alive
Nebraska men’s basketball is riding a wave right now-one that’s already made program history and shows no signs of slowing. The seventh-ranked Huskers will put their undefeated season on the line Saturday morning in Minneapolis, tipping off at 11 a.m. CT against Minnesota in what marks the first of a two-game road swing.
With 19 straight wins to start the season and 23 consecutive victories dating back to last year, Nebraska owns both the longest active win streak in the country and the best season-opening run in school history. And while the Huskers have been dominant at home, what’s really turned heads is how well they’ve traveled. Nebraska has won 11 straight games away from Lincoln, dating back to March 31, 2025, and boasts a 7-2 record in its last nine Big Ten road matchups.
Saturday’s showdown will be the 88th meeting between Nebraska and Minnesota-the most games Nebraska has played against any Big Ten opponent. The Gophers lead the all-time series 60-27, but Nebraska has taken 12 of the last 20. That said, home court has mattered: the host has won 17 of the last 20 in this series, and Minnesota is 24-6 against Nebraska at Williams Arena.
Shorthanded Huskers Will Need Bench Boost
Nebraska won’t be at full strength for this one. Freshman Braden Frager, who’s been a key contributor on both ends of the floor, is dealing with a sprained ankle and is considered day-to-day. With the injury occurring Wednesday, his availability for Saturday is doubtful.
That puts added pressure on Nebraska’s already-tight rotation. Head coach Fred Hoiberg will likely lean on Cale Jacobsen and Jared Garcia as the primary options off the bench.
Garcia, a senior transfer from Tulsa, logged 11 minutes in Wednesday’s win over Washington, chipping in five points and five rebounds. His production could be even more important this weekend.
“It’s good to see Jared knock down that 3 in the first half,” Hoiberg said postgame. “I thought he had a good post move and got to his jump hook in the second.
Got a couple of good rebounds for us as well. Obviously, his role will change a little bit moving forward.”
With Frager sidelined, Nebraska may be down to a seven-man rotation-something Minnesota is already dealing with due to its own injury woes.
Gophers Battling Through Injuries
The Gophers have been hit hard by injuries in head coach Niko Medved’s first season at the helm. Starting center Robert Vaihola suffered a season-ending knee injury back in November. Senior guard Chancey Willis Jr., who started the opener, is also done for the year.
That’s left Minnesota with just two bench options: freshmen Grayson Grove (a redshirt) and Kai Shinholster. Both have been thrust into action earlier than expected.
“They’re fighting,” Medved said after Tuesday’s overtime loss at Ohio State. “We’re playing with seven guys. Two freshmen off the bench who maybe wouldn’t be in the rotation had we not had the injuries.”
Despite the short rotation, Minnesota has remained competitive. The Gophers had a chance to win late in Columbus, ultimately falling in overtime. But Medved made it clear-there are no moral victories.
Scouting the Gophers
Don’t let the record fool you-Minnesota has some firepower. The Gophers are 3-5 in Big Ten play and 10-9 overall, but they move the ball exceptionally well. According to KenPom, they lead the nation in assist-to-made field goal rate at 73.8% and rank fourth in the Big Ten with 18.4 assists per game.
North Carolina transfer Cade Tyson has been the engine. The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 20.5 points per game on 50% shooting, and he’s been a matchup problem all season. He’s joined by sophomore guard Isaac Asuma and Colorado State transfer Jaylen Crocker-Johnson-both of whom have started all 19 games.
Crocker-Johnson is putting up 14.2 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game, while Asuma is contributing across the board with 10.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.4 rebounds.
Keys to the Game for Nebraska
So how can Nebraska keep the streak alive in what’s sure to be a gritty Big Ten road test? Here are four key areas to watch:
- Win the 3-Point Battle
Minnesota doesn’t shoot it well from deep-just 32.8% on the season, which ranks 227th nationally. Nebraska, meanwhile, is hitting 35.6% from long range, good for 79th.
Limiting Minnesota to under 32% from beyond the arc while knocking down their own looks will be crucial. The Gophers also allow 33.6% shooting from deep, so there should be opportunities for the Huskers to capitalize.
- Control the Tempo
Minnesota plays slow-really slow. They rank 353rd in adjusted tempo, averaging just 63.3 possessions per game.
Nebraska’s best bet is to push the pace early, get out in transition, and force the Gophers to play faster than they’re comfortable. That means winning the fast-break points battle and setting the tone early.
- Force Mistakes in the Halfcourt
The Gophers are vulnerable when you speed them up. They rank 214th nationally in non-steal turnover rate (7.8%), which suggests they can be pressured into poor decisions.
While Nebraska hasn’t shown much quarter-court pressure this season, this might be the game to break it out. Disrupting Minnesota’s rhythm in the halfcourt could lead to easy buckets the other way.
- Defend Without Fouling
Tyson is not just a scorer-he’s a foul magnet. He draws nearly seven fouls per 40 minutes and shoots over 80% from the line.
Nebraska’s defenders will need to stay disciplined, especially when Tyson attacks off the dribble or in the post. Avoiding unnecessary fouls will keep the Gophers off the line and help Nebraska control the game flow.
Final Word
This is the kind of game that tests a team’s maturity and depth. Nebraska’s winning streak is impressive, but the Big Ten doesn’t hand out road wins easily-especially in a building like Williams Arena, where the Gophers have historically had the upper hand.
With Frager likely sidelined and both teams running short rotations, it’ll come down to execution, energy, and who can make the most of their opportunities. Nebraska has shown all season it can rise to the occasion. Now they’ll try to do it again-this time, on the road, in a building that’s seen plenty of Big Ten drama over the years.