Purdue vs Nebraska: A Top-15 College Basketball Showdown
The No. 7/8 (AP/Coaches) Nebraska men’s basketball team is set for a thrilling Top-15 showdown against the No. 13/12 Purdue Boilermakers on Tuesday night. Pinnacle Bank Arena will be sold out as the Huskers look to continue their impressive season. This highly anticipated game will be broadcast on FS1, streamed on the FOX Sports and FOX One apps, and carried live on the Huskers Radio Network, including KLIN (1400 AM) in Lincoln.
Huskers Riding High After Road Win
Nebraska (21-2, 10-2 B1G) is coming off a dominant 80-68 road victory at Rutgers on February 7th. Rienk Mast led the charge with 25 points and 8 rebounds, supported by strong performances from Jamarques Lawrence and Sam Hoiberg, who combined for 25 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. The Huskers closed the first half with a decisive 19-8 run and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 27 minutes, securing their sixth Big Ten road win – a new school record!
Purdue’s Recent Performance
Purdue (19-4, 9-3 B1G) enters the game after a hard-fought 68-64 win against Oregon. Fletcher Loyer sealed the victory with a clutch 3-pointer and strong performance at the free-throw line. Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn also contributed significantly, showcasing Purdue’s balanced attack.
Key Stats and Numbers to Know
- Ranked Matchups: This is the third ranked-vs-ranked game at home for Nebraska this season, a testament to their impressive performance.
- Hoiberg’s Success: Head Coach Fred Hoiberg boasts 34 wins over ranked opponents, including 12 against top-10 teams.
- Road Warriors: Nebraska is 9-3 in its last 12 Big Ten road games, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure.
- Sam Hoiberg’s Efficiency: Sam Hoiberg has an incredible 22-to-0 assist-to-turnover ratio in games against ranked opponents this season.
- Comeback Kings: The Huskers have shown resilience, with a 16-point second-half comeback against Indiana.
- Scoring Power: Nebraska’s top four scorers are combining for 54.8 points per game, all new additions to the Husker lineup.
- 80+ Point Dominance: The Huskers are 50-10 when scoring 80 or more points under Fred Hoiberg.
- Rienk Mast’s Rebounding Prowess: Rienk Mast has 1,030 career rebounds, placing him among the active leaders in college basketball.
Heart Health Awareness Game
Tuesday’s game is also Nebraska’s Heart Association Game, raising awareness for cardiovascular health during American Heart Month. Activations include a CPR demonstration by the Lincoln Fire Department and recognition of a local community member for their work in heart health. Learn more at Heart.org.
Huskers Continue to Climb the Rankings
Nebraska remains in the AP Top 10 for the sixth consecutive week, the longest stretch in school history. They are currently ranked No. 7 in the AP poll and No. 8 in the Coaches poll. This marks a significant milestone for the program, surpassing their previous best of four weeks in 1966.
Rutgers Recap
In their recent victory at Rutgers, Rienk Mast led the way with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Sam Hoiberg contributed 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Pryce Sandfort added 15 points and Jamarques Lawrence chipped in with 12 points and a team-high 7 assists. The Huskers’ strong shooting and control of the game secured their sixth conference road win, setting a new school record.
Source: Nebraska Huskers Official Website
