Friday night marks the return of big-time college basketball, as the Big Ten features a pair of massive games. The second game of the doubleheader has the Michigan State Spartans on the road against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This matchup features two of the five remaining Big Ten teams without a conference loss.
Michigan State is ranked No. 9 in the most recent Associated Press poll. The Spartans are 12-1 on the season and 2-0 in Big Ten play. They are coming off a win over Cornell, where they scored 114 points.
It was their fourth straight win since a 66-60 loss to Duke. In conference play, Michigan State beat Iowa by 19 points and then earned a four-point road win at Penn State. Following this game, the Spartans return home to host USC, Northwestern, and Indiana.
For Nebraska, it has been a sensational start under Fred Hoiberg. The Cornhuskers are 13-0 on the season and one of just six remaining unbeaten teams in college basketball. They opened Big Ten play with a home win over Wisconsin and a road win at Illinois.
Nebraska also owns non-conference wins over Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Creighton. In their most recent outing, the Cornhuskers scored 86 points and defeated New Hampshire by 31.
Michigan State vs. Nebraska: When and Where
Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
Time: 8:00 pm CST
Location: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE
Michigan State vs. Nebraska: Where to Watch or Stream
TV: Peacock
Streaming: FuboTV
Michigan State vs. Nebraska Betting Odds
Spread: Nebraska -1.5, Michigan State +1.5
Moneyline: Nebraska -125, Michigan State +115
Total: 145.5
Michigan State vs. Nebraska Series History
All-Time Series: Michigan State has dominated the all-time series, 16-4.
Last Meeting: Michigan State 89-52 over Nebraska on December 7, 2024.
Projected Starting Lineups
Michigan State Spartans
#00 Jaxon Kohler, 13.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg
#55 Coen Carr, 12.2 ppg
#1 Jeremy Fears Jr., 11.5 ppg, 9.3 apg
#15 Carson Cooper, 10.4 ppg
#99 Divine Ugochukwu, 5.5 ppg
- #2 Kur Teng has made three starts and is scoring 7.0 ppg
- #9 Trey Fort has made six starts and is scoring 5.5 ppg
Nebraska Cornhuskers
#51 Rienk Mast, 16.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg
#21 Pryce Sandfort, 16.5 ppg
#10 Jamarques Lawrence, 9.1 ppg
#1 Sam Hoiberg, 8.6 ppg
#9 Berke Buyuktuncel, 8.5 ppg
- #5 Braden Frager has made a start and is scoring 11.6 points per game
Game Outlook
This should absolutely be a thriller. The Cornhuskers are playing some of the best basketball of any team in America. But if any team is going to be prepared and bring the toughness and effort needed to win on the road, it is Tom Izzo and his Michigan State Spartans.
Look for a great basketball game from the middle of the country. A sold-out crowd, cold weather outside, and high-level Big Ten basketball. This is what January basketball is made of.