If you’re checking your phone or refreshing your feed to see who won the Oregon Ducks game today, you've probably noticed that things in the Big Ten are getting a little chaotic.
The Oregon Ducks headed into Lincoln to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Tuesday night, January 13, 2026. This wasn't just another January road trip. It was a heavyweight bout in one of the most hostile environments in college basketball.
The Final Score: Oregon vs. Nebraska
The Ducks couldn't quite find the late-game magic needed to silence the Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd. Nebraska won the game 77-71. It was a grinder. Honestly, for about thirty minutes of that game, it felt like Oregon had the upper hand, but the "Vault" lived up to its reputation in the final four minutes.
How the Ducks Lost Momentum
Oregon started off looking sharp. Jackson Shelstad was playing like a man possessed in the first half, weaving through the Huskers' defense and finding Nate Bittle for some easy buckets at the rim. The Ducks went into the locker room with a slim lead, and it felt like they were going to cruise to a tough road win.
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Then, the second half happened.
Nebraska’s defense tightened up. They started doubling Bittle every time he touched the ball in the post, forcing Oregon to settle for contested perimeter shots. The Ducks went cold at the worst possible time—a four-minute scoring drought late in the second half that allowed the Huskers to go on a 12-2 run.
Why the Oregon Ducks Game Today Matters for the Standings
Losing on the road in the Big Ten is basically a rite of passage, but for Dana Altman’s squad, this one stings a bit more.
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Coming into today, the Ducks were trying to keep pace with the top tier of the conference. With the 77-71 loss, they now have to play catch-up. The Big Ten is a gauntlet this year. There are no "night-offs," and dropping a game where you held a lead for most of the night is going to be something the selection committee looks at come March.
Key Stats and Standouts
- Jackson Shelstad: Finished with 19 points, but really struggled with turnovers in the final stretch.
- Nate Bittle: A double-double machine. He had 14 points and 11 rebounds, though Nebraska's physical play clearly wore him down by the 10-minute mark of the second half.
- The Bench: This was the quietest the Oregon bench has been all season. They only contributed 9 points total. In a six-point game, that’s usually the difference.
Football Buzz: The Dylan Raiola Ripple Effect
Even though the basketball game was the main event today, you can’t talk about Oregon sports right now without mentioning the earthquake that just hit the football program.
Just yesterday, January 12, former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola officially committed to Oregon via the transfer portal. The irony of the basketball team playing at Nebraska today wasn't lost on anyone.
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The fans in Lincoln were loud. Every time an Oregon player went to the free-throw line, they were hearing about it. Raiola's move to Eugene has solidified Oregon as a national title favorite for the 2026 season, especially with Dante Moore still weighing his NFL options. If Moore goes pro, Raiola is the guy. If Moore stays, Dan Lanning has the best kind of problem: two elite quarterbacks.
What’s Next for the Ducks?
The team doesn't have much time to lick their wounds. They have to fly back to Eugene and prep for a massive home stand.
Historically, Dana Altman teams do their best work in February. We’ve seen this script before—a few tough road losses in January followed by a 10-game winning streak that carries them through the Pac-12 (well, now Big Ten) tournament.
The defense is there. The length is there. The shooting? That’s still a work in progress. If they can find a consistent third scoring option behind Shelstad and Bittle, they’ll be fine.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury report for the next home game at Matthew Knight Arena. Getting back to 100% health in the backcourt is the primary goal before the tournament push begins.