Nebraska men’s basketball announced its opponent for the exhibition opener prior to the 2025-2026 season. The Huskers plan to welcome in BYU for a mid-October clash at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
BYU is one of two exhibition games on Nebraska’s schedule. The Huskers will host Midland University to wrap up exhibition play in late October.
The Cougars finished last season 26-10, falling to No. 7 Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen after taking down VCU and No. 13 Wisconsin. BYU also lost to Houston in the Big 12 semi-finals.
The team now enters the year with high expectations, being tabbed in the top-10 by several preseason publications and bringing back and adding multiple players. Returning Cougars include All-Big 12 Richie Saunders and Keba Keita. Sanders averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last year, while Keita led BYU in rebounding with 7.9 per game and blocked shots with 1.2 per game.
BYU also adds one of the nation’s top recruits, AJ Dybantsa, who led USA Basketball to the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup and was named MVP. The Cougars also added Baylor transfer Robert Wright III. The true sophomore finished third on the team last season in points scored, finishing with 403.
Nebraska, meanwhile, finished last season 21-14, winning the College Basketball Crown after missing out on the Big Ten Tournament. The Huskers now seek a third straight postseason appearance and a potential return to the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament.
Nebraska brings back a slew of players, including All-Big Ten forward Rienk Mast, Berke Büyüktuncel, Sam Hoiberg and Connor Essegian. Mast is a significant return after missing the entire 2024-2025 season due to knee surgery after averaging 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and three assists per game the year prior.
Essegian is also another key return after shooting 38 percent from 3-point range and landing 78 shots from beyond the arc. Also, Jamarques Lawrence returns to Lincoln after spending last season with Rhode Island, where he started in all 31 games. He averaged 9.9 points with the Rams and tallied 59 three-pointers while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.
The Huskers’ clash with the Cougars is set for Saturday, Oct. 18. Tip-off is at noon (CT) on B1G+.
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