Nebraska Faces Unexpected Challenge: Can They Outsmart USC Upstate?

Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln promises another riveting chapter for Nebraska basketball fans as the Huskers, riding a hot 7-0 streak, gear up to take on USC Upstate. There’s an electric buzz in the air—not just because of the team’s sizzling form, but because if they clinch this one, Nebraska’s nearing an 8-0 start, a feat not seen since the historic 1977-78 season. Rienk Mast has been nothing short of phenomenal, lighting up the scoreboard and keeping the momentum alive. Meanwhile, USC Upstate comes in fresh off a dominant win, ready to shake things up. If you’re thinking this game will be one to miss, think again—tune in online via B1G Plus or catch the radio broadcast to catch every nail-biting moment. It’s not just a game; it’s a potential milestone in the making. LEARN MORE

Date: Saturday, November 29th, 2025
Tipoff: 1 p.m. (central)
Location: Pinnacle Bank Arena (Lincoln, Neb.)

On the Air:

TV/Online: Saturday’s game is not televised but will be available online at B1G Plus with Jessica Coody and Justice Rhordy on the call. To subscribe or for more info, visit bigtenplus.com

Radio:

Saturday’s game will be carried on the Huskers Radio Network with Kent Pavelka and Jeff Smith on the call, including KLIN (1400 AM) in Lincoln, KCRO (660 AM) and KIBM (1490 AM) in Omaha and KRVN (880 AM) in Lexington. The pregame show begins an hour before tipoff and will also be available on Huskers.com and the Huskers app.

Preview: (Courtesy of Huskers.com)

The Nebraska men’s basketball team continues its homestand Saturday afternoon, as the Huskers host USC Upstate. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. (central) and 300 Level tickets are available for the matchup by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or at the PBA Ticket Office beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The game will be available online at B1G+, while the radio broadcast is available on the Husker Sports Network, as well as on Huskers.com and on the Huskers app.

The Huskers (7-0) are coming off of a hard-fought 80-73 win over Winthrop on Tuesday evening. Rienk Mast‘s 31-point night, which included 7-of-10 from 3-point range, led four Huskers in double figures. Mast had 13 of his points in a decisive 15-5 second-half surge, as the Huskers shot 53 percent in the second half to extend their win streak to 11 games dating back to last season. Nebraska saw a 13-point lead cut to three with 1:45 left before baskets by Pryce Sandfort and Cale Jacobsen gave the Huskers some breathing room.

Mast is averaging 23.5 points per game over the last four contests while shooting 56 percent from the field, including 52 percent from 3-point range. The seventh-year senior enters Saturday’s tilt averaging team highs in scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg) while dishing out 3.5 assists per game.

The Huskers’ 7-0 start marks just the seventh time in school history that Nebraska has begun a season with seven straight wins. With a win on Saturday afternoon, the Huskers would be 8-0 for the first time since a school-record 10-0 start in 1977-78 and extend the nation’s longest win streak to 12 games.

USC Upstate (4-4) comes to Lincoln following an 87-62 win over North Carolina Central on Tuesday evening. Mason Bendinger led the Spartans with 19 points, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range to pace three players in double figures. USC shot a blistering 74 percent in the second half en route to the win.