On Wednesday, Nebraska’s basketball team, ranked 12th, faced Maryland at Pinnacle Bank Arena. In a game that started slowly, the Huskers pulled off a strong win, ending the match at 74-61. This victory improved Nebraska’s record to 24-4 for the season and 13-4 in the Big Ten Conference. Maryland, on the other hand, fell to 11-17 overall and 4-13 in the league.
With this win, Nebraska ensures that they will finish the season with single-digit losses for the first time since the 1990-91 season when they went 26-8. They’ve also matched the record for the most conference wins in a season, tying with the 2017-18 team.
The game began poorly for Nebraska, which missed its first six shots. However, they quickly turned things around with a 7-0 run led by Braden Frager and Pryce Sandfort. By halftime, the Huskers had established a 33-27 lead after a strong 10-3 run late in the first half.
Maryland made a strong push in the second half, tying the game at 48-48 after a 7-0 run. But Nebraska’s players showcased grit and determination. They went on an impressive 18-3 run, pulling ahead by as many as 15 points before closing with a 13-point lead.
Looking at the stats, Nebraska shot 43.4% overall and made 10 of 29 three-pointers. The Huskers had a significant edge at the free-throw line, hitting 18 out of 24 attempts compared to Maryland’s 7 of 8. Frager stood out with a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds, while Sandfort added 16 points, marking a solid performance from the bench.
As of now, Nebraska sits tied with Illinois for second place in the Big Ten standings, trailing Michigan, who holds a commanding 16-1 record. Coming up, the Huskers will be facing USC and UCLA in their next outings before wrapping up the regular season against Iowa on March 8.
In the historical context of Nebraska basketball, this season’s performance has led to promising discussions surrounding its potential in the NCAA Tournament. Recent metrics place them 11th in the NET and 5th in the Strength of Record, hinting at a strong likelihood of receiving a favorable seed come tournament time.
Fan excitement remains high, especially on social media, where they express their pride and optimism about the team’s trajectory. As coach Fred Hoiberg continues refining strategies and fostering talent, the entire Nebraska basketball community is eager to see how this season unfolds and what legacy they’ll leave behind.
