Nebraska Hits a Speed Bump: After 20-0 Start, Huskers Search for Their Swagger
At 20-2, Nebraska still owns one of the best records in college basketball. But after starting the season 20-0, two straight losses have introduced a bit of turbulence into what had been a dream campaign for Fred Hoiberg’s squad. And while the sky isn’t falling in Lincoln, the past week has definitely raised some eyebrows.
Let’s start with the facts: Nebraska dropped back-to-back games to Top 10 opponents, first to Michigan and then to Illinois. The Michigan loss had a bit of an asterisk - the Huskers were short-handed, and for much of the game, they looked like the better team before running out of gas late.
But the Illinois game told a different story. Outside of a brief run to close the first half, Nebraska was playing catch-up all night.
Illinois controlled the tempo, dictated the flow, and ultimately handed the Huskers their second consecutive loss.
That loss doesn’t just sting because of the scoreboard - it also dents Nebraska’s hopes of capturing the Big Ten regular-season crown. And with nearly a full week before their next game, the Huskers are left to sit with that frustration a little longer than they’d like.
But what’s really standing out right now is the growing trend at the free throw line. For the second game in a row, Nebraska found itself on the wrong end of a massive free throw disparity.
Against Michigan, it was a -19 margin. Against Illinois, -21.
That’s not just a stat - that’s a warning sign. When your opponent is living at the line and you’re barely visiting, it’s tough to stay in rhythm, let alone win games.
It’s also a sign that Nebraska’s once-fearless attack has lost a bit of its edge.
And yet, it’s not all bad news. Even in defeat, Nebraska showed it can go toe-to-toe with elite competition.
Illinois looks every bit like a team that could make a deep run in March - and they did it without one of their top players. Nebraska didn’t get blown out.
They lost 78-69, stayed within striking distance, and never looked completely out of their depth. That matters.
This isn’t a crisis moment. It’s not time to hit the panic button or overhaul the game plan.
But it is a moment that calls for reflection. The Huskers have Rutgers next, followed by a high-stakes clash with Purdue.
That’s a chance to reset, regroup, and rediscover the fire that fueled their 20-0 start.
What Nebraska needs now isn’t a new identity - it’s a return to the one that got them here. The one that attacked the rim, controlled the pace, and played with the kind of swagger that made them one of the most talked-about teams in the country.
There’s still plenty of season left. But if the Huskers want to be playing deep into March - and they absolutely have the pieces to do it - they’ll need to find that edge again. Saturday in New Jersey could be the first step in doing just that.