Nebraska's 24-Game Winning Streak Snapped in Loss to Michigan

The Cornhuskers' historic run comes to an end against the No. 3 Wolverines.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Major college basketball's longest winning streak in more than a decade ended at 24 games Tuesday night as No. 5 Nebraska fell to No. 3 Michigan 75-72. The Cornhuskers were without two key players but fought hard before ultimately coming up short in the final minutes. Nebraska's impressive 20-1 start to the season was the program's best ever, and their No. 5 ranking was the highest in school history.

Why it matters

Nebraska's remarkable winning streak had captured the attention of college basketball fans nationwide, as the Huskers were defying expectations and emerging as an unlikely powerhouse. This loss, while disappointing, does not diminish the team's remarkable accomplishments so far this season and their potential to make history by ending the program's NCAA Tournament drought.

The details

Nebraska led for most of the game but was unable to score over the final 3:20, missing its last five shots. The Cornhuskers were without starting forward Rienk Mast, who missed the game due to illness, as well as double-digit scorer Braden Frager, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Despite the absences, Nebraska fought hard and nearly pulled off the upset against the highly-ranked Wolverines.

  • The 24-game winning streak was the longest in Division I since the 2014-15 Kentucky team went 38-0.
  • Nebraska's previous loss came in last year's final regular-season game, 83-68 to Iowa on March 9.
  • The Cornhuskers' streak started when they swept through four games to win the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament in Las Vegas last April.

The players

Sam Hoiberg

A Cornhuskers guard.

Fred Hoiberg

The head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Rienk Mast

A starting forward for Nebraska who missed the game due to illness.

Braden Frager

A double-digit scorer for Nebraska who was out for a second straight game with an ankle injury.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To beat Michigan, you have to play almost perfect and we had a lapse at the end.”

— Sam Hoiberg, Cornhuskers guard

“That just proved, hopefully to everybody, most importantly to the guys in the locker room, that we can compete with anybody.”

— Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska head coach

“It's unfortunate, but I give our guys a lot of credit for the fight they showed in the game from start to finish.”

— Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska head coach

What’s next

Nebraska will have some time to regroup before hosting No. 9 Illinois on Sunday.

The takeaway

Despite the end of their historic winning streak, Nebraska has proven this season that they are a force to be reckoned with in college basketball. The Cornhuskers have emerged as an unlikely powerhouse, and their remarkable run has captured the imagination of fans nationwide. This loss is a temporary setback, and the team still has the opportunity to make history by ending the program's NCAA Tournament drought.