Nebraska Faces Must-Win Showdown Against Minnesota to Save NCAA Hopes

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Cornhuskers are set to host the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a critical Big Ten matchup on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. CT. With their NCAA Tournament aspirations hanging in the balance, the Cornhuskers, who are currently 17-11 overall and 7-10 in the Big Ten, need a victory after recent losses to Penn State and Michigan.

Nebraska’s struggles were evident during their last game, where they posted a season-low 35 percent shooting at the rim against Michigan, culminating in a disappointing 49-46 loss. The Huskers made just seven of their 20 attempts near the basket and shot an abysmal 18.2 percent from three-point range.

The matchup against Minnesota is a pivotal moment for Nebraska’s season. Historically, strong performances near the basket have been crucial against the Golden Gophers. Over their last five contests against Minnesota, Nebraska has averaged 38.8 points in the paint and made 19.4 free-throw attempts.

“Getting to the hoop is essential for us. We need to finish through contact and capitalize on free-throw opportunities,” said head coach Fred Hoiberg, emphasizing the importance of strong offensive execution.

At the forefront of Nebraska’s strategy is senior forward Dawson Garcia, who presents a significant matchup challenge. The All-Big Ten selection, standing at 6-foot-10, enjoys an impressive season with averages of 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. García has had mixed results against the Cornhuskers, averaging 14.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in his last four meetings.

As the game approaches, Nebraska will need to balance their defensive strategy between containing Garcia and preventing other Gophers players from contributing significantly.

Publicly, the Cornhuskers may downplay the significance of this game, but Hoiberg acknowledged the reality. “These guys all have their phones. They read everything that you guys are saying and what the national pundits are saying, so it’s out there. They know the importance of where we are and what’s in front of us,” he noted regarding the looming pressure of maintaining NCAA Tournament eligibility.

According to KenPom, Nebraska enters the game as a heavy favorite, with a 79 percent chance of winning. However, a defeat could deal a significant blow to their NCAA résumé, marking a potential Quad 3 loss. Nebraska aims to finish at least 2-1 in their remaining games to keep their tournament hopes alive heading into the Big Ten Tournament.

The matchup will take place at Pinnacle Bank Arena, where the Cornhuskers will rely on their home court advantage to fuel their performance. Fans are hoping for a strong showing as the Huskers push to secure their NCAA Tournament spot.