This preview outlines the much-anticipated college basketball showdown between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northwestern Wildcats. Set for Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, the article provides essential game-day information, including broadcast details and insights into each team's current standing and recent performances. The Cornhuskers, currently ranked within the top 10, aim to leverage their home-court advantage during their annual Alumni Weekend, which promises a nostalgic return for over 75 former players, coaches, and staff, including members of the 1996 NIT Champion team. This game represents a crucial fixture for Nebraska as they look to solidify their position in the Big Ten Conference, while Northwestern hopes to upset a higher-ranked opponent.
The stage is set for a significant Big Ten Conference basketball match-up on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The Nebraska Cornhuskers will host the Northwestern Wildcats at the sold-out Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. The game is scheduled for a 12:01 p.m. central time tipoff. Fans can catch the action live on BTN, with commentary from Jeff Levering and Jordan Taylor. For those preferring to stream, the FOX Sports and FOX Sports 1 apps will also carry the broadcast. Radio listeners can tune into the Huskers Radio Network, featuring Kent Pavelka and Jeff Smith, with coverage beginning an hour before the game on stations like KLIN (1400 AM) in Lincoln, KCRO (660 AM) and KIBM (1490 AM) in Omaha, and KRVN (880 AM) in Lexington. The game will also be accessible via Huskers.com and the official Huskers app.
Nebraska, currently holding an impressive 21-3 overall record and a 10-3 standing in the Big Ten, sits at No. 7 in the AP Poll and No. 8 in the Coaches Poll. They are coming off a hard-fought 80-77 overtime loss to No. 13 Purdue. Despite the defeat, the Cornhuskers showcased remarkable resilience, battling back from a 22-point second-half deficit. Key contributors in that game included Rienk Mast with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, along with Jamarques Lawrence and Pryce Sandfort, who added 16 and 15 points, respectively. However, Purdue dominated the boards, securing a 54-37 rebounding advantage and a 17-6 edge in second-chance points. The Huskers are currently tied for third in the Big Ten standings with Purdue and Michigan State, just half a game behind second-place Illinois.
This particular game holds special significance as it marks Nebraska's annual Alumni Weekend. More than 75 former players, coaches, and staff are expected to return to campus for various events. A highlight of the weekend will be a reunion of the 1996 NIT Champion Huskers team, with Coach Danny Nee and many team members being honored at a private banquet on Friday night and introduced during Saturday's game. This celebration will bring together players spanning eight decades, from the 1950s to the 2020s, highlighting the rich history and tradition of the program.
On the other side, Northwestern enters the contest with a 10-15 overall record and a 2-12 record in the Big Ten. Despite their record, they recently challenged No. 2 Michigan, pushing the Wolverines before ultimately falling 87-75. Jayden Reid led Northwestern with 20 points in that game, while Nick Martinelli contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds. Martinelli has been a standout performer, leading the Big Ten in scoring with an average of 22.7 points per game and ranking seventh in field goal percentage at .523. His performance will be a crucial factor for the Wildcats, and containing him will be a key defensive task for Nebraska, especially given his past effectiveness against them.
The upcoming game presents a vital opportunity for the Nebraska Cornhuskers to solidify their conference standing and maintain momentum. While a victory might not significantly alter their perception, a loss could be a setback. The team has demonstrated its ability to compete at the highest level, having suffered close losses against top-13 opponents. With the home crowd and alumni support, the Cornhuskers are expected to perform strongly against Northwestern, aiming for a decisive win to continue their impressive season.