Around Husker Nation: A Roller Coaster Week for Nebraska

Nebraska wrestling had a chance to do something special this week. The Huskers faced two top-five teams, but came up empty handed. In basketball, the men continued to slump while the women continued to rise. Read on about an up-and-down week around Husker Nation.

Men’s Basketball (11-11, 3-8 Big Ten) – Last Game: 61-69 L vs. Minnesota

Losses to Northwestern and Minnesota dropped the Huskers to 11th place in the Big Ten this week. The Huskers lead only Penn State by one game. The two will face off Feb. 11 in a game that will likely decide the bottom spot in the Big Ten, at least for the time being. Brandon Richardson, who has been steadily improving, dropped off this week. While Bo Spencer continued to score points, nobody was able to step up and fill in the points lost by Richardson’s receding production.

Women’s Basketball (19-3, 8-2) – Last Game: 93-89 3OT W at Purdue

A three overtime win over Purdue in its lone game of the week gave Nebraska its 13th win in 15 tries. The Huskers currently sit tied atop the Big Ten with Purdue and Ohio State. While the Huskers don’t get another shot at the Boilermakers, another chance to take down the Buckeyes comes in the regular season finale on Feb. 26.

Wrestling (14-3) – Last Match: 7-26 L at Minnesota

Nebraska faced the No. 2 and No. 4 teams this week and came up empty handed, losing at home to Penn State and on the road against Minnesota. Despite scoring in single digits in both duals this week, the Huskers still managed to come away with a No. 2 seeding in the Stillwater Regional of the National Duals. Nebraska has a first round bye and will take on the winner of Ohio State and Boise State on Feb. 12.

Track and Field – Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational (Fri. and Sat. Feb. 3 & 4)

Nebraska’s sprinters started to hit their stride after a frustrating start to the year. While 40 institutions from all three of NCAA’s divisions competed, the Huskers were still able to walk away with 10 first place finishes. Next week the Huskers split up, as they send half of their athletes to the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., and another half to Iowa City for the Iowa State Classic.

Softball (0-0, 0-0) – Next Game: Feb. 9 vs. Washington at Tempe, Ariz. (Kajikawa Classic)

Nebraska softball kicks off its season with six games in four days as a part of the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe. The No. 20 Huskers will play three ranked teams in that span.

Gymnastics – 1st Place – vs. Oklahoma, Minnesota & Centenary (Women’s), Idle (Men’s)

The No. 9 Husker women toppled No. 5 Oklahoma, winning five events in Friday’s quad meet in Norman, Okla., which featured Nebraska, Oklahoma, No. 25 Minnesota and Centenary. After the meet, freshman Jessie DeZiel was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the fourth straight week. The Husker men were off, and will compete next in Iowa City, Iowa, on Sat. against Iowa and Minnesota.

By Chris Peters

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