Nebrasketball Makes History After Cracking the Top 5

We're now nearly two-thirds of the way through the Nebraska men's basketball season, and this team is far from a fluke.

Officially ranked as the nation's No. 5 team in the Associated Press poll released Monday, the Huskers have now made state history along with program history.

A week ago, coach Fred Hoiberg's squad had tied Creighton for the highest-ever national ranking for a men's Division I basketball program in Nebraska. Now, after climbing two spots from No. 7, the 20-0 Huskers stand alone at the top of the mountain.

Any "Blue State" comments can officially be put to rest, as Nebraska fought tooth and nail to beat the Bluejays and the 19 other teams it has faced this season. A historic season only continues to become more relevant with each passing game, as the trajectory of Hoiberg's program rises with it.

Work to do. pic.twitter.com/1ANrPNHlzV
— Nebraska Men's Basketball (@HuskerMBB) January 26, 2026

Heading into last week, the Huskers were set to take on two conference foes in the span of four days. The first, at home Tuesday against Washington, saw Nebraska fend off a Huskies team that bared its fangs in Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Huskers won the contest 76-66, marking their third consecutive double-digit victory against a Big Ten opponent.

On the road Saturday, Nebraska kept that streak going against Minnesota at The Barn. After being down at halftime, the Huskers stormed back for a 76-57 win. With the two latest victories, Nebraska's winning streak now stands at 24 games, dating back to last season.

On the rise. 📈 pic.twitter.com/HXUg6MZL7e
— Nebraska Men's Basketball (@HuskerMBB) January 25, 2026

This is the third consecutive season in which Nebrasketball has reached at least 20 wins. For Hoiberg and his team, it is a big milestone, especially considering how early they were able to hit that mark this year.

In his seven seasons in Lincoln, the program has risen farther than many likely imagined, and that's a credit to his staff, his players, and the fan base alike. What's happened this season is like something out of a movie, but the team continues to stay grounded.

With Michigan next on the slate, the Huskers are primed for the biggest opportunity yet. Nebraska will likely require its very best to keep its unbeaten streak going.

20-0. pic.twitter.com/aaLjzfdXUm
— Nebraska Men's Basketball (@HuskerMBB) January 24, 2026

In Ann Arbor on Tuesday night, the Huskers will take on the No. 3 Wolverines. Michigan, 18-1 (8-1 Big Ten), enters the matchup on a four-game win streak. After a loss to Wisconsin earlier in the month, Michigan has rebounded in a big way, beating each of its last four opponents by double digits.

For the Big Red, this game is sure to be their biggest test yet. The Wolverines are arguably the deepest team Nebraska will play this season, as eight of their players average seven or more points. On top of that, they average over 91 points per game as a team.

For Hoiberg's unit, defense will be the priority in this matchup. Michigan's only loss came to a Badgers squad that went 15-for-33 (45%) from beyond the arc, while holding the Wolverines to just 8-for-25 (32%) in the same category.

Wisconsin won the game 91-88 on the road, showing that it is more than possible to go into the Crisler Center and emerge victorious. For Nebraska, which handled the Badgers 90-60 at home earlier this year, it will be important to understand that even a team the Huskers beat convincingly can teach them a thing or two about a common opponent.

20-0‼️

Nebraska finishes the game on a 44-17 run at Minnesota and continues its historic run 🌽 pic.twitter.com/lESTiSFKC5
— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2026

The season doesn't ride on this game, but national attention likely does. The Huskers have been steadily climbing the polls, despite a lot of outside skepticism about whether this squad is "the real deal." A road victory against the No. 3 team in America would stamp their legitimacy on every voter's ballot.

Michigan State was a big win for the program at the time, and now the Spartans' in-state rivals give Nebraska a chance to do it once again, this time on the road. The Huskers have passed the test against two ranked teams so far, and the Wolverines give them a chance to make it their third.

Nebraska enters the matchup as a near double-digit underdog. However, don't count this team out of anything. They've proved to be capable of winning in a variety of ways and appear uniquely suited to find a way to win in this matchup as well.

Come Tuesday night, Husker Nation will come together once again to watch their team attempt to do the unthinkable. Until then, fans can continue celebrating the historic season Hoiberg's squad has delivered.

Men's Week 13 AP Top 25

Arizona
UConn
Michigan
Duke
Nebraska
Gonzaga
Michigan State
Iowa State
Illinois
Houston
Texas Tech
Purdue
BYU
Kansas
Arkansas
North Carolina
Virginia
Vanderbilt
Florida
Louisville
Saint Louis
Clemson
Alabama
Miami (OH)
St. John's

Nebraska Men's Basketball 2025-26 Schedule

Oct. 18 Nebraska 90, BYU 89
Oct. 27 Nebraska 91, Midland 50
Nov. 3 Nebraska 86, West Georgia 53
Nov. 8 Nebraska 96, Florida International 66
Nov. 11 Nebarska 69, Maryland-Eastern Shore 50
Nov. 15 Nebraska 105, Oklahoma 99 (Sanford Pentagon)
Nov. 20 Nebraska 84, New Mexico 72 (Hall of Fame Classic)
Nov. 21 Nebraska 86, Kansas State 85 (Hall of Fame Classic)
Nov. 25 Nebraska 80, Winthrop 73
Nov. 29 Nebraska 72, South Carolina Upstate 63
Dec. 7 Nebraska 71, Creighton 50
Dec. 10 Nebraska 90, Wisconsin 60
Dec. 13 Nebraska 83, Illinois 80
Dec. 21 Nebraska 78, North Dakota 55
Dec. 30 Nebraska 86, New Hampshire 55
Jan. 2 Nebraska 58, Michigan State 56
Jan. 5 Nebraska 72, Ohio State 69
Jan. 10 Nebraska 83, Indiana 77
Jan. 13 Nebraska 90, Oregon 55
Jan. 17 Nebraska 77, Northwestern 58
Jan. 21 Nebraska 76, Washington 66
Jan. 24 Nebraska 76, Minnesota 57
Jan. 27 Michigan 6 p.m. Peacock
Feb. 1 Illinois 3 p.m. FS1
Feb. 7 Rutgers 11 a.m. BTN
Feb. 10 Purdue 6 p.m. FS1
Feb. 14 Northwestern Noon BTN
Feb. 17 Iowa 8 p.m. BTN
Feb. 21 Penn State 1 p.m. BTN
Feb. 25 Maryland 6 p.m. BTN
Feb. 28 USC 3 p.m. BTN
March 3 UCLA 10 p.m. FS1
March 8 Iowa 4 p.m. FOX
March 10-15 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago

Home games are bolded. All times central.

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