Honestly, if you told me back in November that we’d be sitting here in mid-January talking about a 16-0 Nebraska team, I probably would’ve laughed you out of the room. But here we are. It is Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and the Big Ten landscape looks nothing like the "blue blood" hierarchy we’ve grown used to over the last decade.
Tonight is one of those classic mid-week conference grinds. We've got four major men's matchups on the slate, and while the names on the jerseys carry a lot of weight, the stakes for some of these programs are feeling a bit desperate. If you're looking for Big Ten games today, you’re basically looking at a massive night for the newcomers and a "prove it" moment for the old guard.
The Undefeated Elephant in the Room: Oregon at Nebraska
Let’s get straight to the headliner. No. 2 seeded Nebraska is currently the top storyline in college basketball, and for good reason. They are 16-0. They’re 5-0 in the conference. And tonight, they host the Oregon Ducks at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
Nebraska is coming off an absolute dogfight against Indiana where Jamarques Lawrence went off for 27 points. It wasn't just the scoring, though; it was the way they closed. Fred Hoiberg has found something special with this group. They are currently 11th in the nation when it comes to effective field goal percentage, and their defense? It's ranked 10th for opponent field goal percentage.
Oregon, on the other hand, is having a rough go of it in their new home. They’re sitting at 8-8 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten. Dana Altman is a wizard in March, but January is looking a little bleak for the Ducks. They’ve struggled with turnovers—averaging over 12 per game—and that’s a death sentence in a loud, hostile environment like Lincoln.
Game Info: - Time: 9:00 PM ET
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- TV: Big Ten Network
- The Vibe: Nebraska is a heavy favorite, and if Oregon can’t handle the pressure, this one could get ugly early.
The Fight for the Mitten: Indiana at Michigan State
This is the one I’m keeping a close eye on. Indiana is 12-4 and they just lost a heartbreaker to Nebraska. Lamar Wilkerson had a career night with 32 points in that game, and he still walked off the court with a loss. That’s got to sting.
Tom Izzo’s Michigan State squad is currently 14-2 and they’ve been quietly efficient. They aren't the flashiest team in the country, but they’re 4-1 in the conference and currently holding onto a tie for third place in the standings. Playing at the Breslin Center is never easy, especially for a Hoosiers team that is still trying to find its defensive identity.
The battle in the paint is where this will be won. Indiana has shown they can score, but they haven’t shown they can stop elite guards from penetrating. If Michigan State can control the tempo, they'll move to 15 wins.
Game Info: - Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV: NBCSN / Peacock
- The Vibe: High-stakes bounce-back game for IU. Expect a lot of fouls and a slow-burn physical battle.
West Coast Late Night: Maryland at USC
Maryland is struggling. There’s no other way to put it. They are 7-9 overall and 0-5 in the Big Ten. Buzz Williams is in his first year at College Park, and the transition has been... well, rocky. They are shooting a conference-low 36.9% from the field. You can’t win Big Ten games today—or any day—shooting like that.
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Meanwhile, USC is coming off an overtime thriller against Minnesota. Chad Baker-Mazara is the man of the hour after dropping 29 points and hitting the game-winning free throws. The Trojans are 13-3 and look like they actually belong in this conference, despite the travel concerns everyone was crying about six months ago.
Game Info: - Time: 10:30 PM ET
- TV: FS1
- The Vibe: USC should handle this, but Maryland is due for a "nothing to lose" performance.
The Battle for the Axe (On Grass... and Hardwood)
The Border Battle. Wisconsin (11-5) at Minnesota (10-6).
This one is fascinating because Wisconsin is fresh off an upset win over Michigan where John Blackwell looked like an All-American, scoring 26 points. Minnesota just lost by one point to USC in overtime. They are hungry. Williams Arena is going to be rocking, and honestly, the Gophers are better than their record suggests.
Cade Tyson has been the bright spot for Minnesota, but they’ve had trouble closing games. If it comes down to the final two minutes, I’m leaning toward Wisconsin’s experience.
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Game Info: - Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
What the Numbers Are Actually Telling Us
If you're betting or just trying to sound smart at the water cooler, look at the rebounding margins. The Big Ten has transformed. It's not just about the "Big Men" anymore, though 7-footers like the Ivisic twins at Illinois (who play tomorrow) are still dominant.
The real shift in Big Ten games today is the pace. Nebraska is playing faster. USC is playing faster. The teams that are winning are the ones that can transition from a physical defensive stop into a secondary break without hesitation.
Watch for these three things tonight:
- The Nebraska Crowd: If Oregon doesn't settle in within the first five minutes, the "Vault" will swallow them whole.
- Lamar Wilkerson’s Usage: If Indiana relies too heavily on him again without getting the bench involved, Michigan State's depth will wear them down by the 12-minute mark of the second half.
- Maryland’s Shooting: If they don't hit at least 40% of their looks, the USC game won't even be competitive by halftime.
The standings are already getting crowded. Purdue and Nebraska are tied at the top at 5-0, with Michigan, Illinois, and Michigan State right on their heels at 4-1. A loss tonight for Michigan State or Nebraska would throw the top of the bracket into absolute chaos before we even hit February.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports for the late-night USC game, as the travel schedule is starting to show some wear and tear on the rosters. Check the local listings if you're in the Midwest, as regional blackouts occasionally affect the Fubo and Peacock streams depending on your provider.