Huskers Set for Exciting Monday Night Showdown Against Ohio State Fans

The No. 13 Nebraska Huskers men’s basketball team is scheduled to face Ohio State on Monday night in a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup. This contest will cap off a rigorous week that saw Nebraska play three games in seven days, with tipoff at Value City Arena set for 5:30 p.m. Central time. The game will be broadcast nationally on FS1 and streamed via the Huskers Radio Network and official Huskers platforms.

Coming off a narrow 58-56 victory over No. 9 Michigan State, Nebraska aims to extend its school-record unbeaten streak. The Huskers overcame a late deficit with a decisive 6-1 run, capped by Rienk Mast’s clutch three-pointer at 1:52 remaining. Nebraska’s defense held Michigan State to a season-low 56 points, underlining their top-tier defensive prowess.

Historic Winning Streak and Defensive Strength

Nebraska’s current 18-game winning streak marks the longest in school history, surpassing previous streaks of 14 games from earlier seasons. The Huskers’ defensive discipline is evident as they rank ninth nationally in field goal defense, allowing opponents to shoot just .374 from the field. In eight of their last nine games, Nebraska restricted teams to under 40 percent shooting.

Rienk Mast leads with an average of 16.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range. Mast’s performance against Michigan State—19 points and six three-pointers—shows his critical role in both scoring and rebounding. His pursuit of 1,000 career rebounds places him among only two players in Nebraska history to reach this milestone.

Key Numbers and Player Highlights

1. Nebraska achieved three consecutive wins against top-10 opponents for the first time in program history.
2. Coach Fred Hoiberg has accumulated 34 wins over ranked teams, with 12 against top-10 squads.
3. Freshman Braden Frager has risen as a significant contributor, averaging 11.4 points per game and earning multiple Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week honors.
4. Senior Sam Hoiberg boasts an elite 6.0-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking second nationally.

Nebraska’s offense averages 81.7 points per game—the highest since the 1995-96 season—and their 1.98-to-1 team assist-to-turnover ratio is among the nation’s best. The Huskers have also been prolific from beyond the arc, ranking third in the Big Ten with 10.5 three-pointers made per game, poised to break school records.

Opponent Outlook and Historical Context

Ohio State enters this game with a 10-3 overall record and 2-1 in Big Ten play, riding momentum from a 80-73 victory over Rutgers. The Buckeyes shot 51 percent in the second half to secure the win, led by Bryce Thornton’s 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The upcoming meeting is Nebraska’s second ranked-versus-ranked matchup this season and just the second in program history. The Huskers aim to improve on their 2-0 record in such games this year, including a pivotal road win at No. 13 Illinois.

Nebraska’s Climb and Record-Breaking Prospects

With their undefeated 14-0 start, Nebraska is positioned for one of its highest national rankings in over three decades. Currently ranked 13th in the AP poll, the Huskers could crack the top 10 for the first time since 1966. Achieving a 4-0 Big Ten start would mark their best conference opening since the mid-1970s.

Nebraska also holds the nation’s longest active non-conference winning streak at 22 games, dating back nearly two seasons. This consistency, both offensively and defensively, underscores their emerging status as a Big Ten powerhouse.

The Monday night game provides Nebraska a critical opportunity to enhance their historic season. Maintaining their winning streak against a competitive Ohio State team will further solidify their standing nationally and deepen the legacy of coach Fred Hoiberg’s tenure.