Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg (1) takes a shot after beating multiple Illinois defenders (Courtesy: On3)
CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — Nebraska just keeps checking off boxes no one in program history ever has.
Behind poise in a hostile environment, timely shooting and a decisive stretch of bench production, No. 23 Nebraska held off No. 13 Illinois for an 83–80 road win Saturday at a sold-out State Farm Center, moving the Huskers to 11–0 overall and 2–0 in Big Ten play.
In a game that featured just two lead changes and saw Nebraska hold the advantage for more than 36 minutes, Fred Hoiberg’s team never flinched despite repeated Illinois pushes.
“We never panicked,” Hoiberg said. “This is one of the great crowds in the country and they were into it, big time. [Our guys] showed great resiliency, they never had their heads down in huddles, had great body language, and just kept going out there.”
The Huskers needed every bit of focus as they took the ball for the final possession of the game, where Jamarques Lawrence hit a triple at the buzzer to give #23 Nebraska the victory in the final moments. Fred Hoiberg wasn’t shy in his comments about the shot.
“Jamarques rose up and hit the biggest shot of the year for our team.”
Pryce Sandfort sparked the Huskers in the first half, scoring 26 of Nebraska’s 37 points at the break. The junior ended the night with a career-high 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting while knocking down six three-pointers. Rienk Mast added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Jamarques Lawrence chipped in 14 points and six assists as Nebraska shot 51.6 percent from the floor and 46.2 percent from three.
But the most impactful stat line belonged to Sam Hoiberg. The junior guard scored seven points, dished out six assists and grabbed five rebounds — and finished a game-high +23 in a contest decided by three points.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood didn’t mince words about his influence.
“The game in my opinion was all controlled by [Sam Hoiberg],” Underwood said. “Any time you’re +23 in a three point game, your ability to dominate a basketball game doesn’t always show up in points. The game was dominated by a guy who did all the little things — all the extra effort things — to allow his team to win.”
Nebraska’s depth again proved decisive. With Illinois threatening in the second half, Jared Garcia provided an instant spark off the bench, scoring 10 points in just over 13 minutes and attacking the rim to steady the Huskers during a crucial stretch.
“That’s what he can do — he can take the lid off the basket,” Fred Hoiberg said. “We needed somebody to come in that could give us an offensive punch, and tonight it was Jared. That’s the beauty of this team — we have depth and weapons.”
Illinois was led by Kylan Boswell’s 20 points and Andrej Stojakovic’s 19, while Keaton Wagler added 19 points and 10 assists. The Illini outscored Nebraska in second-chance points 19–9, but Nebraska’s efficiency and ball security — just six turnovers — proved the difference.
After the final horn, Hoiberg gathered his team with a reminder of what they had just done — and what comes next.
“I told the guys this — they accomplished something that has never been done in the history of Nebraska Basketball,” he said. “The next test is — how are you going to respond to it?”
If Nebraska’s composure in one of the Big Ten’s toughest road environments is any indication, the Huskers may be ready for whatever that response requires.