Huskers fall in Top 10 tilt with Illinois, drop to 20-2 on the season

LINCOLN, Neb. - One of the toughest stretches of Nebraska’s schedule led to a second straight loss for the fifth-ranked Big Red 78-69 to #9 Illinois.

Nebraska did have the services of Braden Frager and Rienk Mast, but the size, strength, and at times, unable to miss shooting ability of the Illini roves to be too much.

“Their length at the rim bothered us at times… It took away some of our cutting” Nebraska Head Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “That team is playing as well as anyone in the country right now, they’ve won 11 in a row, so give Illinois credit, they’re playing really good basketball right now. I think the difference in the game was our in a slitty to finish off possessions.”

“Two really good basketball teams,” Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood said. “We knew we’d have to play extremely well to win against a team who had not lost at home.”

Rienk Mast missed Nebraska’s Tuesday contest with Michigan due to the flu. After a night spent in the ER earlier in the week, he decided to give it a go, but struggled. Mast began the game 0/8 from the field and didn't score until there were 55 seconds remaining in regulation.

“I give Rienk a lot of credit to go out and battle and play 25 minutes,” Hoiberg said. “He played like he was in the ER until three in the morning. It was tough for him, but he battled.”

Braden Frager did return for Nebraska as well, and would lead the team in scoring with 20. The Illini were led by star freshman Keaton Wagler with 28.

With the loss Nebraska falls to 20-2 on the year, with a stretch of days off before a trip to the East Coast next weekend. Two losses to Michigan and Illinois aren’t what the short-handed Huskers hoped for, but they’re pressing on.

“We just got to look at the film tomorrow, learn from it, keep our head high and flush it as we get ready for Rutgers,” Sandfort said.

Nebraska enjoys a handful of days off before taking on Rutgers next Saturday on the road.