The No. 13 Nebraska men’s basketball team is set to face No. 9 Michigan State in a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup on Friday night at the packed Pinnacle Bank Arena. The game is scheduled for an 8:02 p.m. tip-off and will be available for streaming on Peacock, as well as through the Huskers Radio Network and the Huskers app. Fans with YouTube TV can find it on NBC Sports Network.
Nebraska enters the game with an impressive 13-0 record, marking their best start in program history. The Huskers are fresh off an overwhelming 86-55 victory against New Hampshire, where Pryce Sandfort led the team with 19 points and seven rebounds. Nebraska’s dominant second half saw them outscore their opponents 45-17, showcasing their strong defensive capabilities, particularly in limiting New Hampshire to just 15 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes.
Sandfort has emerged as one of the standout players in the Big Ten, contributing an average of 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He is joined by All-Big Ten forward Rienk Mast, who is also averaging 16.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. Together, the duo forms a potent offensive partnership for the Huskers.
In addition to their offensive prowess—averaging 83.5 points per game, a significant increase of nearly six points from last season—Nebraska’s defense has been commendable. They currently rank 14th nationally in field goal percentage defense, holding six of their last seven opponents to under 40 percent shooting.
The matchup against Michigan State is historic for Nebraska, as it marks the first time the program has hosted a top-15 ranked team since 1991. This game is notable not only for its ranking significance but also because the Huskers have improved their national ranking steadily over the season, currently sitting at No. 13 in the Associated Press poll—its highest since March 1991.
Michigan State enters the contest with a record of 12-1, having won four straight games, including a high-scoring 114-97 victory over Cornell where six players reached double figures. Nebraska, however, will seek to continue their undefeated streak as they look to bolster their standings not just in the Big Ten, but across the national collegiate basketball landscape.
Saturday’s contest is not just significant for the win-loss record but also for the broader implications of both teams as they aim for top-tier postseason positioning. With Nebraska already holding a winning streak of 17 games—the longest in the nation—there’s an exciting energy surrounding the team as they approach this crucial game against another powerhouse program. The excitement within the Pinnacle Bank Arena is expected to match the electricity on the court, making for a thrilling evening in college basketball.