Two teams going in opposite directions will meet in a crucial Big Ten clash in Lincoln. The Nebraska Huskers are the best story in the sport and, in the process, are defying all expectations that were placed on them this season. No one expected much from the Huskers this year, given that Nebraska was picked 14th out of 18 teams in the preseason media poll. The Huskers, at 18-0 and ranked in the top 10, are defying those expectations early in the season.
The Washington Huskies were a team many thought would make the NCAA Tournament. The hype seemed warranted given what head coach Danny Sprinkle brought in from the transfer portal. Still, injuries and chemistry problems have derailed what looked like a promising season in November. Washington enters the game in Lincoln at 10-8 and is desperate for a feel-good win to get their season back on track. Unfortunately, they are going to have to do it in one of the hardest places to win in the Big Ten, halfway across the country from Seattle.
Nebraska comes into this game with the nation's longest winning streak, dating back to last year's run to the College Basketball Crown championship. This season is going to end in the NCAA Tournament for the Huskers, who are projected as a lock to make it, but they do not want to lose at home. Washington still has time to build an NCAA Tournament resume, but it better start getting some wins against top-tier Big Ten teams. Otherwise, they will likely head to the College Basketball Crown.
Nebraska vs. Washington: When and Where
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 9:00 PM EST
Location: Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska
Nebraska vs. Washington: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: BTN
Streaming: FuboTV
Nebraska vs. Washington: Betting Odds
Spread: Nebraska Cornhuskers -10.5, Washington Huskies +10.5
Moneyline: Nebraska Cornhuskers -452, Washington Huskies +500
Total: 147.5
Nebraska vs Washington: Series History
All-time series: Nebraska leads 4-3
Last Meeting: Nebraska 86- Washington 72 on February 5, 2025
Projected Starting Lineups:
Washington Huskies
Hannes Steinbach (17.8 points, 11.1 rebounds)
Bryson Tucker (6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds)
Franck Kepnang (6.7 points, 6.9 rebounds)
Zoom Diallo (15.1 points, 3.6 assists)
Quimari Peterson (9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds)
Nebraska Huskers
Berke Buyuktuncel (7.4 points, 6.1 rebounds)
Rienk Mast (15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds)
Pryce Sandfort (16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds)
Jamarques Lawrence (10.1 points, 3.6 assists)
Sam Hoiberg (8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists)
Nebraska is rolling right now and has proven they are tough to beat, just ask Indiana, which held a 16-point lead over Nebraska in Assembly Hall halfway through the second half. The Huskers are one of the true elite shooting teams in the country. They will hoist threes over 50% of the time and currently lead the Big Ten in attempts; they also lead the Big Ten in three-point makes. The ball movement is elite, and when you have two big men like Mast and Buyuktuncel who can pass from the three-point line, they become a tough cover. No one has stopped Nebraska from shooting threes yet, and if they get wide-open ones, especially from Sandfort (41% from three), they are going in.
Nebraska isn’t just an offensive juggernaut this year; they also sport one of the country's elite defenses, doing so by speeding teams up, taking away the middle of the floor, and forcing long, contested three-pointers. Teams that have held a lead against the Huskers have needed to make shots, and most from the perimeter, because the middle will not be open for business.
That is unfortunate for Washington, because the Huskies are not a good shooting team. It is not one of their strengths, and they don’t take that many threes to begin with. Outside of a career night shooting from deep and big man Steinbach being able to crack the code of the Huskers' no-middles offense, it could be a long night for the Huskies. 2 of the last 3 Big Ten teams to come to Pinnacle Bank Arena have left with 30-point losses. Nebraska is a terrible matchup for Washington. It appears the Huskers have a great shot to keep it rolling.