Kansas State Wildcats Prepare for Former Big 12 Foe

The Wildcats and Cornhuskers are set to face off for the first time since 2011.

Before the holidays hit, the Kansas State Wildcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball teams are set to square off in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The upcoming game is the first of a three-game series that was originally set to start in 2020. The two schools agreed to delay the series one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting fan attendance.

The Wildcats and Cornhuskers are on different trajectories to start the 2021 season. Kansas State is currently 6-3 after an 18-point victory over the Green Bay Phoenix on Dec. 12.

Meanwhile, Nebraska is 5-6 with a pair of blowout losses to the Auburn Tigers and Michigan Wolverines. The Cornhuskers looks to end a four-game losing streak on the home court to their former Big 12 opponent.

These two teams first faced off in 1906 and have played 219 times in that 115-year span. Kansas State leads the all-time record at 127-93 and has a five-game winning streak dating back to Feb. 28, 2009. Nebraska has the home advantage, and their last win in the series came on their home court, Jan. 17, 2009. The Cornhusker’s biggest advantage against the Wildcats could be Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. This game marks Kansas State’s second true road game of the 2021 season. The Wildcat faithful traveled notably well when Kansas State faced off against the Wichita State Shockers on Dec. 5, contributing to the Wildcat’s win.

Despite the 2021 records, Nebraska is the slight favorite according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index. The Cornhuskers have the statically better scoring offense, averaging 75.4 points per game compared to Kansas State’s 71. However, the defensive edge goes to Kansas State who limits their opponents to 59.7 points per game while the Cornhuskers surrender 77.5 points per game.

The game tips off at 5 P.M. CST, available on the Big Ten Network or the K-State Sports Radio Network.