3 takeaways from Nebraska basketball’s win over Providence

In the first real test of the 2026-27 season, Nebraska basketball passed. Maybe not with flying colors, but the Huskers passed all the same.

Nebraska only made five 3-pointers in the win. Three of them were made by Pryce Sandfort, who scored 25 points in the win.

Nebraska basketball only made 25% of its 3-point attempts and 45% of its shots overall. The Huskers turned the ball over 15 times. They also attempted 10 more free throws than Providence.

Providence is ranked 52nd in the KenPom rankings. So this could be a Quadrant 1 win, based on how the Friars do. Beyond that, it was an impressive start for a team looking to get back to the Sweet 16 or farther.

Here are three takeaways from the 67-58 win by Nebraska basketball.

Defense won the day

The Huskers only allowed Providence to make 18% of its 3-point attempts. They also held the Friars to 31% shooting overall. Providence made 50% of its 2-point attempts, but the Huskers only allowed 24.

Fred Hoiberg’s strategy of defensive help worked once again. Providence was 7-for-38 from deep. The Friars were credited with just 10 assists compared to 18 turnovers.

Those are all reasons Nebraska found a way to win the game, even though it shot 21% from beyond the arc.

Braden Frager needs to get going

If there was one thing Nebraska basketball fans should be a little worried about, it’s Frager. He was 3-for-10 after going 3-for-13 on Monday. It’s just two games. There is plenty of time for Frager to get going.

Yet, that is one reason the offense struggled to get going. I do not doubt that Frager will get there. He played hard on defense (four steals). The shots just aren’t falling. They will, but it was good to see the Huskers lock down on that end of the floor.

Cale Jacobsen is the glue guy

Jacobsen is sort of playing the Sam Hoiberg role from last season. It’s a little different, but he’s just doing everything needed to win.

The senior reached double figures for the second straight game, scoring 11 points on three field-goal attempts. He made 7 of 9 free throws, had three steals, two rebounds and two assists. He is also Nebraska’s best on-ball defender.

Through two games, this team has work to do. Yet, it looks a lot like the team that advanced to the Sweet 16 a year ago

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