The Nebraska men's basketball team has unveiled its non‑conference slate for the 2026‑27 season, a schedule that pits the Huskers against four power‑conference opponents outside of Big Ten competition.
Exhibition contests are set against Saint Louis, BYU and Kansas State, while the first three weeks of the regular season will be played at neutral sites, giving the team early exposure to diverse venues.
The announcement comes on the heels of the program’s most successful campaign in school history, a run that included an NCAA Tournament victory and a Sweet 16 appearance, raising expectations for another deep push.
A season of tests
Headlining matchups on the schedule are games against Providence, Boise State, Butler, Creighton and Missouri, each of which promises a different style of play and a test of the Huskers’ depth.
At home, Nebraska will meet Iowa in a revenge game that ended its historic season a year ago, and will also host defending national champion Michigan as part of the regular‑season lineup.
On the road, the Huskers are slated to travel to face three Elite Eight teams from last year’s tournament—Purdue, Illinois and Iowa—adding another layer of challenge to the schedule.
Coach Fred Hoiberg sees the demanding slate as an opportunity to fine‑tune the team’s identity before Big Ten play begins, using the non‑conference battles to experiment with lineups and build chemistry.
The non‑conference schedule also serves a recruiting purpose, showcasing the program’s ambition to compete nationally and attracting prospective players who want to be part of a growing powerhouse.