Get ready for a basketball showdown that promises to be nothing short of electrifying! The North Dakota Fighting Hawks are gearing up for a David vs. Goliath battle against the undefeated and 15th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers this Sunday at 7 p.m. in Lincoln, Nebraska. But here's where it gets controversial: Can the Hawks pull off an upset against a team that hasn't lost a single game this season? Or will Nebraska continue its dominant streak? Tune in to the Big 10 Network or listen live on 100.3 The Cat to find out. And this is the part most people miss: North Dakota has a history of rising to the occasion against Nebraska, including a thrilling 75-74 victory in Lincoln back in 2019—their first-ever win over a Power-Five team in the division l era. Will history repeat itself? Let’s dive into the details.
This marks the seventh all-time meeting between these two teams, with Nebraska holding a 4-2 lead in the series. Their last clash on December 20, 2023, ended with an 83-75 Cornhusker victory, but it wasn’t without drama—North Dakota held a 14-point lead in the second half before Nebraska stormed back. The last two games between these teams have been decided by an average margin of just 4.5 points, proving that every second counts when these squads face off.
North Dakota enters this matchup fresh off a heart-stopping 90-88 win over Winthrop. Trailing by as many as 11 points, the Hawks rallied behind Eli King, who drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the logo with just .05 seconds left. King’s career-high 25 points, along with five rebounds, three steals, and four three-pointers, cemented his hero status in that game. But can the Hawks carry that momentum into Lincoln?
Nebraska, meanwhile, remains one of just seven undefeated teams in Division l basketball, boasting an 11-0 record. Their most recent victory came against No. 13 Illinois on December 13, where Jamarques Lawerence hit a game-winning three-pointer to secure an 83-80 win. The Cornhuskers’ offensive firepower is led by Rienk Mast (17.9 ppg) and Pryce Sandfort (17.1 ppg), who combine for 35.0 points per game and both shoot over 39.0% from beyond the arc. Nebraska’s deep bench includes five players shooting at least 36.0% from three-point range, making them a formidable opponent from anywhere on the court.
But here’s the bold question: Can North Dakota’s three-point prowess—they hit 13 threes against Winthrop—outgun Nebraska’s balanced attack? The Hawks have overcome double-digit deficits in three of their five wins this season, proving they’re no strangers to adversity. Players like Anthony Smith III, who contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists off the bench in their last game, and Garrett Anderson, averaging 7.5 rebounds over the past two contests, will need to step up if North Dakota hopes to pull off the upset.
As the stage is set for this high-stakes matchup, one thing is clear: this game will be a test of will, skill, and resilience. Will Nebraska’s undefeated streak continue, or will North Dakota write another chapter in their underdog story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think the Hawks can pull off the upset, or will the Cornhuskers remain unblemished? For more updates on North Dakota men’s basketball, visit FightingHawks.com or follow @UNDmbasketball on social media. Don’t miss this clash of titans!
