The Dominant Big Ten Team Nobody is Talking About
Nebraska has spent the past month quietly becoming the dominant Big Ten team nobody seems willing to acknowledge, even as the evidence keeps piling up. While national conversations continue to orbit the traditional conference powers, Nebraska has been stacking wins, sharpening its identity, and proving that its rise is not a fluke but the product of real growth and real talent. The dramatic buzzer beater against Illinois should have been the moment that forced everyone to pay attention. It was a perfect snapshot of what this group has become. Confidence. Composed. Ready for the moment. A game that felt destined for overtime instead ended with a shot that sent the arena into a frenzy and sent a message to the rest of the league. Nebraska is not just competing. Nebraska is winning the games that define seasons. Their recent surge reflects a team that has learned how to close, how to trust one another, and how to deliver when the pressure is at its peak.
At the center of this rise is Pryce Sandfort, who has transformed into one of the most dynamic scorers in the conference. His shooting has stretched defenses to their breaking point, his confidence has grown with every game, and his ability to create offense in both structured sets and broken plays has become the heartbeat of the team. Sandfort is the kind of player who changes scouting reports and forces opponents to adjust their entire defensive approach. Yet what makes Nebraska so dangerous is that Sandfort is not carrying this team alone. Rienk Mast has emerged as a versatile scoring threat who can attack off the dribble, finish through contact, and guard multiple positions. He continues to anchor the interior with strength, touch, and a veteran understanding of how to control the paint. Braden Frager brings relentless energy, rebounding, and defensive toughness that sets the tone for everyone around him. Sam Hoiberg provides stability in the backcourt, a guard who understands the system, defends with pride, and makes the smart play at the right time. Add in the shooting and spacing from Jamarques Lawrence, and defensive presence from a bench that has grown more confident as the season has progressed, and you get a roster that is deeper and more complete than most people realize.
The buzzer beater against Illinois was not an accident. It was the product of a team that trusts its preparation and its chemistry. Nebraska has become a group that thrives in late game situations because they have multiple players who can make winning plays. They defend with purpose, they rebound with commitment, and they share the ball in a way that reflects a team fully bought into its identity. The national conversation may still be slow to catch up, but inside the Big Ten, coaches know exactly how dangerous this team has become. Nebraska is not sneaking up on anyone anymore. They are asserting themselves with every win, every clutch moment, and every performance that reinforces their place near the top of the conference. If the rest of the country has not caught on yet, it will soon. Nebraska is playing like a team built for March, and Pryce Sandfort along with a deep and connected supporting cast is the reason why.
