Basketball in Nebraska isn’t just a game; it’s a culture. If you walked into Pinnacle Bank Arena lately, you’d know that. The energy surrounding Nebraska Cornhuskers women's basketball right now is different than it was even two years ago. It’s louder. It’s more expectant.
Honestly, people used to overlook this program. They’d talk about the "Blue Bloods" or the latest superstar in Iowa City, but they weren't looking at Lincoln. That’s changed. Whether it’s the arrival of homegrown phenoms or the gritty defensive identity Amy Williams has baked into this roster, the Huskers are no longer just "scrappy underdogs." They are a problem for the rest of the Big Ten.
The Britt Prince Factor: Living Up to the Hype
Let’s talk about Britt Prince. You’ve probably heard the name if you follow Nebraska high school hoops at all. Coming out of Elkhorn North, she wasn't just a recruit; she was the recruit.
Transitioning to the college game is usually a brutal wake-up call. Most freshmen hit a wall by January. But Prince? She basically skipped the "learning curve" phase. Through early 2026, she’s been lighting it up, leading the team in scoring with an average near 19 points per game.
I watched her in that Indiana game on January 8th. Nebraska was in a scoring drought that felt like it would never end. The Hoosiers were mounting a comeback. Most young guards would panic or start forcing bad shots. Prince just stayed calm. She finished with 20 points and 7 assists, including some clutch buckets in the fourth quarter to seal the 78-73 win. That kind of poise is rare. It’s why she’s already being mentioned for the Nancy Lieberman Award.
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Life After the Legends: A New Identity
A big question mark heading into this season was how the team would handle the departure of Alexis Markowski. You don’t just replace a player who holds the school record for career double-doubles (53, to be exact) and over 1,200 rebounds. Markowski was the anchor.
But here’s what’s interesting. Instead of collapsing without that traditional low-post safety net, the Nebraska Cornhuskers women's basketball team has become more versatile.
- Natalie Potts is a beast. She’s had some injury hurdles, but when she’s on the floor, her motor is incredible.
- Jessica Petrie has stepped up significantly. She dropped 17 points against Iowa on New Year's Day, proving she can bang with the best in the conference.
- Eliza Maupin, the Kansas State transfer, has been a revelation on the glass. She grabbed 11 rebounds against Iowa and provides that veteran "big sister" energy the younger players need.
The Huskers are playing faster now. They aren't just dumping the ball into the paint and watching. They’re moving, cutting, and shooting the lights out—Prince alone is hitting over 50% of her threes. It's a fun, albeit stressful, brand of basketball to watch.
That New Year's Day Heartbreak in Iowa City
We have to talk about the Iowa game. January 1, 2026. If you’re a Husker fan, that one stung.
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Nebraska came out on fire. They actually led 12-2 early on and went into halftime with a lead. For a while, it looked like they were going to spoil the party at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. But then Chit-Chat Wright happened. The Iowa guard went off for 24 points, and the Huskers just couldn't find a bucket in the final five minutes.
It finished 86-76 in favor of Iowa. The loss exposed a few things—mainly that when the pressure turns up, the Huskers still sometimes struggle with turnovers. They had 18 that day. You can't give a team like Iowa 18 extra chances and expect to win on the road. Still, the fact that Nebraska was in a "dogfight" (as Wright called it) until the very end shows how far this program has come.
Why 2026 Feels Different
The 2025-2026 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster. They started white-hot, going 14-0 and even jumping into the Top 10 of the AP Poll—a height this program hasn't seen in decades. Then they hit the "Big Ten Grind."
Losses to UCLA and Iowa showed that there’s still a gap between "very good" and "elite." But the win over Indiana proved they belong in the conversation. Coach Amy Williams has this team playing with a chip on their shoulder. They were picked to finish middle-of-the-pack in the preseason polls, and they’ve spent the last few months making those voters look pretty silly.
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One thing people often miss is the depth. It's not just the Britt Prince show. You've got Logan Nissley who can get hot from deep at any second, and Allison Weidner, who has fought back from so many injuries to be the emotional heartbeat of this squad. When you have a team where the 8th or 9th player on the bench can come in and give you 10 minutes of solid defense, you’re built for a deep March run.
What's Next for the Huskers?
If you’re looking to follow the Nebraska Cornhuskers women's basketball team through the rest of the conference schedule, keep an eye on these specific areas:
- Free Throw Consistency: In close games against teams like Maryland or Ohio State, the Huskers need to capitalize at the stripe. Prince has been nearly perfect, but the rest of the team needs to follow suit.
- The Health of Amiah Hargrove: She’s been a massive part of their interior defense and rebounding. Having her healthy for the Big Ten Tournament in March is non-negotiable if they want a high seed.
- Road Performance: Winning at the Vault (PBA) is one thing. Winning in East Lansing or Columbus is another. The young core needs to prove they can handle the "hostile environment" noise without the turnover bug biting.
The reality is that Nebraska is no longer just a "volleyball school" or a "football school." They are a basketball school too. The trajectory of this program is pointed straight up, and while there will be growing pains with such a young roster, the foundation is rock solid.
Check the schedule for the upcoming games against Michigan State and Wisconsin. These are the "trap games" that define a season. If the Huskers can take care of business there, they’ll be heading into the postseason with a head of steam that nobody in the Big Ten wants to deal with.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Track the NET Rankings: Keep an eye on Nebraska's NET ranking daily. It will fluctuate wildly during conference play, and it's the primary tool the selection committee uses for NCAA Tournament seeding.
- Watch the Freshman Development: Beyond Prince, watch how Petra Bozan and the other sophomores adjust to the physicality of late-season Big Ten play; their growth determines the team's ceiling.
- Secure Postseason Tickets Early: Given the current trajectory, the Big Ten Tournament and early-round NCAA sites will see a massive influx of Husker fans. If you're planning to travel, book now before the "Husker tax" hits the hotel prices.