You’ve probably seen the Nebraska men's basketball score popping up everywhere lately, and honestly, it’s getting hard to ignore. As of mid-January 2026, Fred Hoiberg’s squad isn't just "kinda good" anymore—they are currently 17-0. That’s not a typo. The Huskers are sitting at 6-0 in the Big Ten and just absolutely dismantled Oregon 90-55 at Pinnacle Bank Arena this past Tuesday. If you’re a Nebraskan or just a college hoops fan, you know how surreal this feels. This is the program’s highest ranking in 60 years, sitting at No. 8 in the AP Poll.
The vibe in Lincoln is electric. It’s not just about the wins, though. It’s the way they’re doing it. They aren't squeaking by on luck; they are a legitimate juggernaut that plays with a pace that's basically exhausting to watch if you're the opponent.
Breaking Down the Latest Nebraska Men's Basketball Score
That 90-55 drubbing of Oregon was a statement. The Ducks are no pushovers, but Nebraska made them look like a JV squad in the second half. What’s wild is that Nebraska didn't even start that fast. The first few minutes were a bit of a slog, but then the Huskers just flipped a switch.
Pryce Sandfort is becoming a household name. In the Oregon game, he was just everywhere. He’s averaging about 16.4 points per game this season and shooting the lights out. But it's the balance that scares people. You’ve got Rienk Mast, the 6'9" senior from the Netherlands, who’s basically a walking double-double. He’s putting up 15.5 points and over 6 rebounds a night, providing that veteran "grown man" strength that Nebraska used to lack.
A Look at the 17-0 Resume
If you look back at the schedule, the Nebraska men's basketball score trends tell a story of a team that can win in different ways.
- The Squeaker: That 86-85 win over Kansas State back in November. That was the first sign this team had "it."
- The Statement: Taking down Creighton 71-50 in early December. In-state rivalry games are usually dogfights, but Nebraska just dominated.
- The Grit: Beating Michigan State 58-56 on January 2nd. It wasn't pretty. It was a defensive rock fight, and the Huskers proved they could win when the shots weren't falling.
Honestly, the Big Ten is usually a meat grinder where everyone loses at home eventually. But Nebraska has turned "The Vault" (Pinnacle Bank Arena) into a place where opposing dreams go to die. They are currently 11-0 at home.
The Hoiberg Factor and Team Chemistry
Fred Hoiberg is in his seventh season, and it finally feels like his "NBA-style" system has the perfect college personnel. It’s a family affair, too. Sam Hoiberg is out there diving for loose balls and playing elite defense, averaging about 4.0 assists and 8.2 points. There is a level of trust on the court that you usually only see in teams that have played together for four years.
Actually, the chemistry is what most people get wrong about this team. They think it's just a bunch of transfers who happen to be hot. It’s not. It's a mix of guys like Cale Jacobsen and Sam Hoiberg who grew up in the system, combined with high-impact additions like Sandfort and Braden Frager. Frager, a freshman from Lincoln Southwest, is already contributing 12.3 points per game. That’s huge for a local kid.
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Defensive Identity
Everyone talks about the 81.7 points per game Nebraska is scoring, which is great. But look at the defensive side. They are only giving up about 65.8 points per game. That ranks them in the top 25 nationally for scoring defense. They aren't just out-shooting you; they are making you miserable on the other end.
What the Standings Tell Us
Right now, Nebraska is at the top of the mountain. They are 1st in the Big Ten, followed closely by Purdue and Illinois. It’s a weird feeling for Husker fans to look at the standings and see "Nebraska" above "Michigan State" or "Indiana."
The upcoming schedule is where the rubber meets the road. They’ve got Northwestern on the road this Saturday, then Washington comes to town. If they can get through January without a blemish, we are talking about a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That is uncharted territory for this program. Like, literally never happened.
Statistical Leaders at a Glance
- Scoring Leader: Pryce Sandfort (16.4 PPG)
- Glass Cleaner: Rienk Mast (6.4 RPG)
- Floor General: Sam Hoiberg (4.0 APG)
- Three-Point Sniper: The team is hitting about 11 threes a game, which is top-tier territory.
How to Follow the Huskers Moving Forward
If you're trying to keep up with the next nebraska men's basketball score, you need to have the Big Ten Network and Peacock ready. The conference has moved a lot of games to streaming, which is a bit of a pain, but that's just the world we live in now.
Basically, if you want to see if this streak stays alive:
- Check the Saturday afternoon slots: Most of the big road tests, like the upcoming one at Northwestern (3:00 PM CST), are weekend features.
- Monitor the AP Poll on Mondays: After the Oregon win, there’s a real chance they jump into the Top 5.
- Watch the turnover battle: Nebraska is only averaging 9.3 turnovers a game. When that number stays low, they almost always win.
The real test isn't just winning; it's handling the target on their backs. Every team they play for the rest of the year is going to treat a game against Nebraska like it's their Super Bowl. That’s the price of being No. 8 in the country.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the injury report for Rienk Mast, as his interior presence is the anchor for their defensive rotations. Also, if you’re looking for tickets to the Washington game on January 21st, buy them now. Pinnacle Bank Arena is selling out faster than ever, and secondary market prices are starting to resemble NBA playoff tickets. Follow the live box scores on the official Huskers app to track real-time shooting percentages, especially Sandfort's efficiency from the corner—which has been a key indicator of Nebraska's offensive success this season.