In a thrilling display of athletic prowess, the Nebraska men’s basketball team continued their impeccable form with a decisive victory over the Washington Huskies at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. The midweek matchup ended with a score of 76-66, marking the Huskers’ impressive 19-0 record for the season.
The Huskers’ early success in the game was fueled by their precision in shooting and a robust defensive strategy. However, the game took a concerning turn with a potential injury setback.
During the first half, redshirt freshman Braden Frager exited the game due to an apparent ankle injury. He reappeared in the second half wearing street clothes and a protective boot on his leg. Recognized as a vital component of the team, Frager has earned the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week accolade three times. After the game, Head Coach Fred Hoiberg expressed his intent to assess Frager’s condition the following morning and outlined plans to adapt the team’s strategy if necessary.
“This is one of the best teams I’ve ever had as far as chemistry is concerned,” Hoiberg remarked. “They just go out and play for each other. They’re extremely unselfish. They make the next play. They’re really connected on the defensive end. These guys have been an absolute joy to coach. There’s no distractions with them, and that’s what it’s all about. And I’ll go to war any day with these guys.”
Hoiberg acknowledged moments where the Huskies outpaced his team, yet praised his players for regaining composure and clinching the win.
“We struggled down the stretch a little bit, but we’ll take it,” Hoiberg noted. “This is a great win against a really good team.”
The triumph adds to a remarkable season for Nebraska, who recently attained their highest ranking in history, securing the No. 7 spot in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll. The last time the Huskers reached such heights was as No. 8 in February 1966, a rank they maintained for a mere week. Currently, they stand as one of just three teams in Division I to remain undefeated.
Looking ahead, the Huskers are set to face Minnesota on Saturday. This marks the beginning of a challenging segment of their season. The team will compete against No. 3 Michigan on January 27, followed by a home game against No. 11 Illinois. Subsequent matches include a trip to Rutgers on February 7 and a home contest against No. 5 Purdue on February 10.
