The Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers, with a 21-3 overall record and 10-3 conference mark, are firmly on the top-16 seed line, boasting a 5-3 record in Quad 1 games and a perfect 6-0 record in Quad 2 contests. Meanwhile, the Northwestern Wildcats, sitting at 10-14 overall and 2-11 in conference play, are in dire need of quality wins to build a tournament resume, having gone 1-8 in Quad 1 games and 1-4 in Quad 2 matchups. With Nebraska-Lincoln's NET rank of 12 and Northwestern's NET rank of 77, this game presents a significant opportunity for the Wildcats to make a statement.
Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers' 82.1 Points Per Game Average Leads the Big Ten
The game is scheduled for February 14, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET, and will take place at the Pinnacle Bank Arena, with the broadcast available on the Big Ten Network.
The Northwestern Wildcats have struggled to find consistency, with a 10-14 overall record and a 2-11 mark in conference play. Their recent form has been particularly concerning, with a 3-game losing streak, including a 75-58 loss to the Michigan Wolverines. The Wildcats have a Quad 1 record of 1-8, which highlights their need for quality wins. With a NET rank of 77, Northwestern is facing an uphill battle to make a push for the tournament. Their conference record is a major concern, with only 2 wins in 13 games, and they are averaging 68.5 points per game, which ranks 11th in the conference.
Key Matchups
The Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers, on the other hand, have been impressive, with a 21-3 overall record and a 10-3 mark in conference play. Their NET rank of 12 is a reflection of their strong performance, and their Quad 1 record of 5-3 is a significant factor in their top-16 seed line position. The Cornhuskers have been consistent, with a recent form of 2-1 in their last 3 games, including a 85-70 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. They are averaging 82.1 points per game, which ranks 2nd in the conference, and their defense has been stout, allowing only 65.4 points per game.
The matchup between the Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers and the Northwestern Wildcats will be a clash of styles, with the Cornhuskers preferring a faster pace, averaging 74.2 possessions per game, while the Wildcats prefer a more methodical approach, averaging 68.5 possessions per game. The Cornhuskers' offense, which shoots 47.5% from the field, want to exploit the Wildcats' defense, which allows 44.2% shooting from the field. The Cornhuskers' defense, which allows only 39.5% shooting from the field, want to shut down the Wildcats' offense, which averages 68.5 points per game. The Cornhuskers' rebounding margin of +4.5 will also be a key factor, as they look to control the boards against the Wildcats.
CHD Scout Prediction
Northwestern
63
Nebraska
84
For the Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers, guard Keisei Tominaga has been on fire, averaging 18.2 points per game over his last 5 games, including a 25-point performance against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Forward Derrick Walker has also been consistent, averaging 12.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. For the Northwestern Wildcats, guard Boo Buie has been the team's top scorer, averaging 15.6 points per game, but has struggled with his shooting, making only 38.5% of his field goal attempts. Forward Robbie Beran has also been a key contributor, averaging 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Tournament Stakes
The CHD Scout prediction has the Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers winning by 21.5 points, with a 95.3% win probability. This prediction is based on the Cornhuskers' strong performance this season, including their 5-3 record in Quad 1 games and their perfect 6-0 record in Quad 2 contests. The Wildcats' struggles in Quad 1 games, with a 1-8 record, and their recent 3-game losing streak, also contribute to the significant margin in the prediction.
This game has significant tournament implications for both teams. A win for the Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers would further solidify their position on the top-16 seed line, while a loss would be a significant setback. For the Northwestern Wildcats, a win would be a major boost to their tournament resume, providing a much-needed Quad 1 win. The Wildcats' current Quad 1 record of 1-8 makes this game a must-have for their tournament hopes. The Cornhuskers' Quad 3 designation for this game means that a win would not significantly impact their NET ranking, but a loss would be a notable upset.