Nebraska makes case for Top 25 ranking with upset over UCLA

Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Brice Williams reacts after a basket against the UCLA Bruins. Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska makes case for Top 25 ranking with massive upset over No. 15 UCLA

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Jan 4, 2025 5:55 PM ET

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-2) are giving AP voters a lot to think about before the next edition of the men's college basketball Top 25 poll releases on Monday.

On Saturday, the team moved up into fourth place in the Big Ten conference standings after defeating newcomers No. 15 UCLA (11-3) at home 66-58.

It was the Cornhuskers' 20th straight win at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, tying a school record, per the AP (h/t ESPN).

In the final seconds, up five points, Nebraska's Juwan Gary made a massive block on UCLA's Dylan Andrews who was driving the paint for a critical layup. The play was practically the final nail in the coffin for the Huskers' win.

REJECTED ‼️ @HuskerMBB shut. it. down. pic.twitter.com/Iehh4dOeic
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 4, 2025

Senior Brice Williams led Nebraska with 16 points, despite the team shooting just 32.7 percent from the field. Williams hit 11 free throws, a huge reason why the Huskers won down the stretch (86.2 percent from the charity stripe).

The box score was indicative of a defensive battle between the talented teams. Both squads average just over 77 points per game, but Nebraska boasts the 16th-best defense in opponent's field-goal percentage (38 percent).

UCLA has now lost two of its last three contests, including dropping a narrow 76-74 game against North Carolina on Dec. 21. However, it did manage to take down No. 14 Gonzaga 65-62 at the Intuit Dome on Dec. 28.

The Bruins face Michigan at home on Tuesday in what they hope will be a get-right game.

Nebraska has won its last six games since getting stomped by Big Ten leaders Michigan State on 89-52 on Dec. 7.

The Huskers will have another date with a ranked squad in No. 20 Purdue on Jan. 12 to prove Saturday was no fluke.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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