No. 7 Nebraska Seeks Bounce-Back Against Struggling Northwestern

Cornhuskers look to rebound from tough loss to Purdue as they host Wildcats

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Seventh-ranked Nebraska is looking to bounce back from a tough overtime loss to No. 13 Purdue when they host struggling Northwestern on Saturday. The Cornhuskers have lost three of their last four games against ranked opponents, but coach Fred Hoiberg is emphasizing the need to move past the tough losses and focus on the task at hand. Nebraska will look to get its leading scorer Pryce Sandfort back on track after he has struggled in his last three games. Meanwhile, Northwestern is hoping to snap a four-game losing streak and get a boost from the improved play of junior guard Jayden Reid.

Why it matters

This game is an important one for both teams as they look to position themselves for the postseason. Nebraska is still firmly in the hunt for a high NCAA Tournament seed, but they need to avoid letting the tough losses pile up. For Northwestern, a win over a top-10 opponent would be a major boost as they try to turn around their disappointing season.

The details

Nebraska has lost three of its last four games, all against ranked opponents. In their most recent loss to Purdue, the Cornhuskers trailed by as many as 22 points in the second half before rallying to take the lead in overtime, only to fall 80-77. Rebounding, especially on the offensive glass, was a major issue as Nebraska was outrebounded by 17. The Cornhuskers will look to shore up that area against a Northwestern team that has struggled mightily this season. The Wildcats did push second-ranked Michigan hard on Wednesday before falling 87-75, showing they are capable of competing with top teams when they are at their best.

  • Nebraska lost to Purdue 80-77 in overtime on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Nebraska and Northwestern previously met on January 17, 2026, with the Cornhuskers winning 77-58 on the road.

The players

Fred Hoiberg

The head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team.

Pryce Sandfort

Nebraska's leading scorer, averaging 17.0 points per game.

Rienk Mast

A senior forward for Nebraska who is the team's co-leader in rebounds with 6.0 per game.

Nick Martinelli

The leading scorer in the Big Ten, averaging 22.5 points per game for Northwestern.

Jayden Reid

A junior guard for Northwestern who has provided a spark for the Wildcats during their recent struggles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I told them ... 'We've done a really good job of putting big emotional wins behind us. Now here's the flip side of it; you have to put the tough, emotional loss behind you now.'”

— Fred Hoiberg, Head Coach, Nebraska Cornhuskers (statenews.net)

“I know I've got to be better and more physical to not allow it.”

— Rienk Mast, Senior Forward, Nebraska Cornhuskers (statenews.net)

“Just having us both out there, it brings a different dimension to the game. Because, obviously, we could both play off the ball and on the ball. We can guard both spots. It's just fun being out there with Jake. It takes pressure off my hands.”

— Jayden Reid, Junior Guard, Northwestern Wildcats (statenews.net)

What’s next

Nebraska will look to get back on track against a struggling Northwestern team, while the Wildcats will try to pull off a major upset and snap their four-game losing streak.

The takeaway

This game represents an important opportunity for both teams as they look to position themselves for postseason success. Nebraska needs to rebound from its tough losses, while Northwestern is hoping a strong performance against a top-10 opponent can provide a much-needed boost to their season.