Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Men's Basketball Set to Host Top 10 Nebraska
1/10/2026 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana has won its last two Big Ten outings, the most recent coming on the road at Maryland earlier this week, but the challenge will only get tougher Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The Hoosiers will welcome undefeated Nebraska to town for a high-stakes showdown that could help set the tone for the second half of IU's season. And although Nebraska arrives with a shiny top-10 ranking and a perfect record, the Hoosiers have their own perfect record to protect, this one at home. IU is 10-0 this season at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and head coach Darian DeVries has this veteran squad playing with grit.
Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg has assembled a formidable squad in Lincoln, led by forwards Rienk Mast and Pryce Sandfort. Mast is the engine of the Husker offense, averaging 16.3 points per game and doing his damage inside and out. Mast's versatility makes him difficult to guard. Sandfort provides balance to the floor, averaging 15.9 points per game while ensuring opponents can't focus sole on Mast.
When Nebraska goes to the bench, there isn't much drop-off when Braden Fager comes into the game. He averages 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds, allowing Nebraska to stay fresh.
A huge key to Nebraska's success this year has been its 3-point shooting. The Cornhuskers are second in the Big Ten in 3-pointers attempted, and they convert 33.8% of the shots. They're averaging 10 made 3s per game, using a five-out style that pulls bigs away from the bucket and creates opportunities to drive to the rim.
Indiana's offense lives beyond the arc as well, but the Hoosiers' ability to find other ways to score, showcased during the win at Maryland, gives IU other outlets if the Hoosiers are inconsistent from deep. A key for Indiana will be guard Lamar Wilkerson, who has posted four straight 20-point games and is coming off an electric performance that saw him score 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half.
Wilkerson's ability to knock down 3s forces opponents to guard him deep on the perimeter, providing space for cutting teammates. Wilkerson, however, is shooting 47.4% from deep in Big Ten play, which leads the conference in scoring.
But Wilkerson isn't a one-man band. Forward Tucker DeVries is a career 2,000-point scorer who averages 14.8 points per game, and he can get wicked hot from 3-point range. DeVries is also due for a breakout game, and if he can stretch the defense, he will help make things easier for his Hoosier teammates.
Guard Tayton Conerway is great at creating off the dribble without forcing things, and he will put a lot of pressure on the Huskers' defense. Fellow guard Conor Enright does a little bit of everything, and he has been a bit more aggressive with the ball over the past few games.
Indiana's ability to stifle the Huskers' offense on the perimeter will be critical, as will early energy from the Assembly Hall crowd. Getting off to a hot start and controlling the tempo of the game will be key if Indiana is going to send Nebraska to its first loss of the year.
Tip-off for Nebraska at IU will come at noon ET with the game being televised on the Big Ten Network.
The Hoosiers will welcome undefeated Nebraska to town for a high-stakes showdown that could help set the tone for the second half of IU's season. And although Nebraska arrives with a shiny top-10 ranking and a perfect record, the Hoosiers have their own perfect record to protect, this one at home. IU is 10-0 this season at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and head coach Darian DeVries has this veteran squad playing with grit.
Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg has assembled a formidable squad in Lincoln, led by forwards Rienk Mast and Pryce Sandfort. Mast is the engine of the Husker offense, averaging 16.3 points per game and doing his damage inside and out. Mast's versatility makes him difficult to guard. Sandfort provides balance to the floor, averaging 15.9 points per game while ensuring opponents can't focus sole on Mast.
When Nebraska goes to the bench, there isn't much drop-off when Braden Fager comes into the game. He averages 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds, allowing Nebraska to stay fresh.
A huge key to Nebraska's success this year has been its 3-point shooting. The Cornhuskers are second in the Big Ten in 3-pointers attempted, and they convert 33.8% of the shots. They're averaging 10 made 3s per game, using a five-out style that pulls bigs away from the bucket and creates opportunities to drive to the rim.
Indiana's offense lives beyond the arc as well, but the Hoosiers' ability to find other ways to score, showcased during the win at Maryland, gives IU other outlets if the Hoosiers are inconsistent from deep. A key for Indiana will be guard Lamar Wilkerson, who has posted four straight 20-point games and is coming off an electric performance that saw him score 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half.
Wilkerson's ability to knock down 3s forces opponents to guard him deep on the perimeter, providing space for cutting teammates. Wilkerson, however, is shooting 47.4% from deep in Big Ten play, which leads the conference in scoring.
But Wilkerson isn't a one-man band. Forward Tucker DeVries is a career 2,000-point scorer who averages 14.8 points per game, and he can get wicked hot from 3-point range. DeVries is also due for a breakout game, and if he can stretch the defense, he will help make things easier for his Hoosier teammates.
Guard Tayton Conerway is great at creating off the dribble without forcing things, and he will put a lot of pressure on the Huskers' defense. Fellow guard Conor Enright does a little bit of everything, and he has been a bit more aggressive with the ball over the past few games.
Indiana's ability to stifle the Huskers' offense on the perimeter will be critical, as will early energy from the Assembly Hall crowd. Getting off to a hot start and controlling the tempo of the game will be key if Indiana is going to send Nebraska to its first loss of the year.
Tip-off for Nebraska at IU will come at noon ET with the game being televised on the Big Ten Network.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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