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Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

No. 7 Nebraska's historic start continues after latest comeback win over Minnesota

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Jan 24, 2026 3:31 PM ET

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have never won an NCAA Tournament game (0-8), but don't tell that to this year's team, which continues to surpass expectations amid a historic start.

With Saturday's 76-57 win over Minnesota (10-10, 3-6 Big Ten), No. 7 Nebraska (20-0, 9-0 Big Ten) extended its best start in program history, but not without a little adversity along the way.

Not only was Nebraska without its third-leading scorer, Braden Frager (12.2 PPG), after the freshman suffered a sprained ankle in the win over Washington, but it trailed 36-30 at the half and by as many as eight before outscoring the Golden Gophers, 46-21, in the second half.

Pryce Sandfort's breakout season continues in Nebraska's furious comeback

The Iowa transfer leads the team in scoring (17 PPG) and was key to Nebraska's second-half turnaround on Saturday with 22 points (7-of-14 FG, 4-of-10 3PT) and 10 rebounds. Prior to this season, he had averaged no more than 8.8 points per game in either of his first two collegiate seasons.

That performance was much-needed against the Golden Gophers, who put the Cornhuskers in a seven-point deficit with this three just prior to halftime:

The Gophers gave undefeated Nebraska all they could handle in the first half

(via @CBBonFOX)pic.twitter.com/ZZgj4t3Ioc
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 24, 2026

Nebraska was plagued by 17 fouls on Saturday but shot 48 percent from the floor and completely shut Minnesota down in the second half. This was not the first time Nebraska staged a late rally this season, either, after coming from 16 down in the second half to Indiana in a win on Jan. 10.

Considering the history of the program and the lack of overall success, you cannot underscore the incredible job that head coach Fred Hoiberg has done turning Nebraska into a contender and one of only three remaining unbeaten teams, alongside No. 1 Arizona and No. 25 Miami (Ohio).

The Cornhuskers currently sit atop the Big Ten and are projected to be a two-seed in Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology for ESPN. If that holds up when the 68-team field is officially revealed on Sunday, March 15, it would only be the second time that Nebraska has been at least a three-seed or better in "The Big Dance."

It will only get tougher from here for Nebraska, which is set to face No. 3 Michigan and No. 11 Illinois next week and has still not squared off against No. 4 Purdue. Although a win over Minnesota is not significant, the way Nebraska battled back and took control once again proved the fight and determination that is within this team, regardless of any deficit it faces.

If it can get Frager back soon, that would only help matters, but it is clear that this Nebraska team is a serious contender and one that is not just content winning one NCAA Tournament game by season's end.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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