The Nebraska basketball team had feasted on some cupcake opponents in its first three games of the season. That's why the Huskers wanted to see how they stacked up against another Major Conference school in the Oklahoma Sooners.
Sure, NU beat No. 8 BYU in the exhibition season, but that's not really the same thing, and Hoiberg's heroes knew it. That's why the tilt between the old Big 8 rivals at the Pyramid was so crucial for the Cornhuskers.
It was the first real test for the Nebraska basketball team and they passed it with flying colors, beating the Sooners 105 to 99. So what were the things that stood out the most from Saturday's game?
The Nebraska basketball defense could use some work
Thanks to an outstanding offense (especially in the second half), the Huskers were able to overcome a less-than-stellar defensive performance. OU scored 99 points while shooting 52% from the field and, more importantly, 38% from three-point land.
Especially early in the game, the Sooners found themselves open on the perimeter far too often. The defense will need to tighten up big time against top quality opponents.
The Huskers have to open better
One thing that has been consistent through Nebraska's first four games is that they simply don't play all that well in the first half. That was certainly the case against Oklahoma as the Sooners started out with a 10-0 lead and led at the half 51-44.
Kudos to the team for picking it up in the second half and doing just enough to overcome an OU team that went to the NCAA Tournament last year, but having to come out in the second half and outplay its opponents isn't a trend Nebraska can count on all season.
Pryce Sandfort could be Nebraska's 2025 Brice Williams
Sandfort was a big pickup for the Huskers over the offseason, and he's shown exactly why in the last three games, especially. After a very modest 3 points against West Georgia, he's scored 20, 19 and 28 in over the previous three contests.
That's been huge because Connor Essegian hasn't stepped up as a scorer the way the Huskers had hoped. It was massive on Saturday because Braden Frager managed to play only 8 minutes after averaging 13 points in NU's first three games.
If Sandfort can continue being "the guy" for Nebraska down the stretch, with nice compliments in Frager and Rienk Mast, the Cornhuskers could be better than their predicted 14th in the Big Ten.