Nebraska Aims to Rebound Against Rutgers in Big Ten Clash

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Interstat) — The Nebraska Cornhuskers look to get back on track after a rare stumble when they visit the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten Conference men’s basketball game Saturday.

Nebraska (20-2, 10-1 Big Ten) saw its 10-game winning streak snapped in a 78-69 home loss to Illinois on Feb. 1. Before that, their only defeat was a three-point road loss at Michigan on Jan. 27. The Cornhuskers have been dominant otherwise, boasting a perfect 13-0 record at home and winning their conference road games by an average of 14 points.

Guard Sam Hoiberg has been the engine for Nebraska, averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Over his last seven contests, he has scored in double figures six times, including a 14-point, 7-assist effort in a win at Minnesota. In the loss to Illinois, Hoiberg filled the stat sheet with 13 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Rutgers (9-14, 2-10) has struggled mightily in conference play, losing nine of its last 10 games. The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 98-66 road loss at UCLA on Tuesday. Their lone Big Ten win since early January was a 77-75 overtime victory over Northwestern on Jan. 11.

Freshman guard Kaden Powers provides a bright spot for Rutgers, coming off an 18-point performance against UCLA. He has averaged 10.4 points over his last seven games. The Scarlet Knights will need a significant defensive effort at the Louis Brown Athletic Center, where they are 7-5 this season.

The matchup pits one of the nation’s top teams against a Rutgers squad fighting to escape the conference cellar. Nebraska, which leads the Big Ten standings, will rely on its balanced attack and stout defense, which allows just 62.3 points per game. Rutgers averages 70.2 points but allows 76.4 per contest.

Historically, Rutgers holds a 15-9 series advantage, but Nebraska has won three of the last five meetings. The Cornhuskers won both matchups last season.

Following this game, Nebraska hosts Purdue on Tuesday in a pivotal Big Ten showdown. Rutgers continues its homestand against Maryland on Feb. 15.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST Saturday at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.