The Nebraska men's basketball team stands at the precipice of achieving a historic milestone: an undefeated non-conference season, a feat not accomplished since the 1928-1929 campaign. With a stellar 12-0 record, the Huskers are poised to extend their winning streak as they host the New Hampshire Wildcats, a team with a 4-8 standing. This upcoming game is anticipated to be a straightforward victory for Nebraska, serving as their final tune-up before the rigorous Big Ten schedule commences.
Game Preview: Nebraska vs. New Hampshire Wildcats
On Tuesday, December 30th, at 8:07 p.m. central time, the Nebraska Huskers will clash with the New Hampshire Wildcats at Pinnacle Bank Arena. This highly anticipated game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, featuring Jack Kizer and Earl Watson providing commentary. Fans can also stream the game live on the Fox Sports and Fox Sports One Apps, or tune into the Huskers Radio Network with Kent Pavelka and Jeff Smith. Limited 300-Level tickets are available for purchase at Huskers.com/Tickets or at the PBA Box Office.
Nebraska enters this contest with significant momentum, boasting a 30-point favorite status against New Hampshire. Their impressive 12-0 start marks the best in program history, driven by an offense averaging 83.3 points per game, the highest since the 1995-96 season. The Huskers' defense has also been formidable, ranking 16th nationally in field goal percentage defense with an impressive .380.
The team's recent performance includes a commanding 78-55 victory over North Dakota on December 21st. After trailing 26-24 at halftime, Nebraska erupted in the second half, outscoring the Fighting Hawks 54-29 with a 63% shooting accuracy. A highlight of that game was Berke Büyüktuncel's first career triple-double, contributing 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Büyüktuncel is enjoying a career-best junior season, excelling in scoring (8.0 ppg), rebounding (6.7 rpg), and assists (2.0 apg), while significantly bolstering Nebraska's top-30 national defensive rating.
Braden Frager, who earned his second Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor, also played a pivotal role in the North Dakota game with 17 points. Frager is a key contributor off the bench, averaging 11.3 points per game with 52% shooting. The New Hampshire Wildcats, in contrast, are coming off a 93-79 loss to Saint Louis on December 21st, where junior guard Jack Graham led their scoring with 18 points. Graham, along with Kijan Robinson and Belal El Shakery, are the Wildcats' primary offensive threats, all averaging double-digit points.
With Nebraska's current form and the Wildcats' recent struggles, a dominant performance from the Huskers is widely expected. Unless an unforeseen shooting slump occurs, Nebraska is projected to secure a comfortable lead by halftime and ultimately achieve their historic undefeated non-conference record.
The Huskers' journey toward an undefeated non-conference season highlights the team's exceptional talent, strategic coaching, and unwavering dedication. Their balanced attack, combining potent offense with staunch defense, provides a blueprint for success in the challenging Big Ten conference. This remarkable run not only instills confidence within the team but also energizes the fan base, setting high expectations for the remainder of the season. The commitment to excellence demonstrated by players like Büyüktuncel and Frager serves as an inspiration, showcasing how individual brilliance can synergize with team effort to achieve collective greatness. As they transition into conference play, the Huskers are poised to make a significant impact, potentially redefining their program's legacy.