Iowa Faces Tough Test Against No. 7 Nebraska After 'Humbling' Loss

The Hawkeyes look to bounce back from a blowout defeat as they host the high-powered Cornhuskers in a Big Ten clash.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 3:39am

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Iowa will try to get back on track when it faces No. 7 Nebraska in a Big Ten Conference game on Tuesday night in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have lost two in a row, most recently falling 78-57 at home to Purdue in a game their coach Ben McCollum described as 'humbling.' Nebraska, on the other hand, is coming off a 68-49 home win over Northwestern but has struggled with turnovers lately. The game features a matchup between Iowa's stifling perimeter defense and Nebraska's prolific 3-point shooting, led by junior Pryce Sandfort.

Why it matters

This game is an important test for Iowa as they try to bounce back from a blowout loss and prove they can compete with one of the top teams in the Big Ten. A win over the 7th-ranked Cornhuskers would be a major boost for the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament hopes, while a loss would further highlight their struggles against ranked opponents this season.

The details

Iowa's defense has slipped recently, allowing its last four opponents to shoot at least 46% and score 70 or more points. The Hawkeyes will need to tighten up on that end to slow down Nebraska's high-powered offense, which features five players scoring in double figures in Big Ten play. Rebounding will also be crucial, as neither team is particularly strong on the boards. Iowa will likely focus its defensive efforts on slowing down Nebraska junior Pryce Sandfort, who has made a school-record 88 3-pointers this season.

  • The game will take place on Tuesday night in Iowa City.
  • Iowa is coming off a 78-57 home loss to Purdue on Saturday.

The players

Ben McCollum

Iowa's first-year head coach, who led Drake to a 31-4 record last season.

Fred Hoiberg

Nebraska's head coach, who is looking to get the Cornhuskers back on track after a couple of recent losses.

Bennett Stirtz

Iowa's senior leader, who is averaging 20.4 points per game and shooting 40.3% from 3-point range.

Pryce Sandfort

Nebraska's junior sharpshooter, who has made a school-record 88 3-pointers this season.

Sam Hoiberg

Nebraska's guard, who is coming off a strong performance against Northwestern with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.

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What they’re saying

“They kicked our butt. It's a part of the process, but I don't like it, I haven't had that happen in a lot of years. It's humbling and it's sometimes good for the soul.”

— Ben McCollum, Iowa Head Coach

“It's not always gonna go pretty on that end of the floor. Obviously this is two games in a row where we had double-digits turnovers. I hope it's not becoming a problem with taking care of the ball, with 14 and 18 turnovers.”

— Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska Head Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This game will be a crucial test for Iowa as they try to bounce back from a humbling loss and prove they can compete with one of the top teams in the Big Ten. The matchup between Iowa's stifling defense and Nebraska's high-powered offense, led by sharpshooter Pryce Sandfort, will be one to watch as both teams look to gain an edge in the competitive Big Ten conference.