Nebraska Men’s Basketball Faces Unseen Challenge as BYU Visits for October Exhibition
As autumn leaves begin to fall, so too does the curtain rise on Nebraska men’s basketball’s 2025-2026 preseason with a head-turning exhibition match against none other than BYU. Mark your calendars for October 18, when the Huskers will invite the highly-touted Cougars to Pinnacle Bank Arena for a showdown that promises to tease the intensity of the coming college basketball season. BYU, ranked among the top 10 preseason teams, isn’t just showing up to play—they’re bringing back stalwarts like Richie Saunders and Keba Keita and adding AJ Dybantsa, a recruit with MVP accolades fresh from the FIBA U19 World Cup, shaking up the landscape. Meanwhile, Nebraska looks to reclaim its edge, welcoming back key players including the resilient Rienk Mast, whose absence last season due to injury was keenly felt. This opening act against BYU is just the beginning, as the Huskers will also face Midland University in a second exhibition, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling season. The air buzzes with anticipation—will Nebraska’s returning talent and BYU’s star-studded lineup clash with fireworks? Stay tuned for tip-off at noon (CT) on B1G+ this October.
- Nebraska men’s basketball will host BYU for an exhibition game on October 18 to open the 2025-2026 preseason.
- BYU, a top-10 preseason team, returns key players and adds top recruit AJ Dybantsa.
- Nebraska returns several players, including Rienk Mast, who missed the previous season with a knee injury.
- The Huskers will also play Midland University in their second exhibition game.
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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