What's Happening?
Nebraska and BYU basketball teams are scheduled to face off in a preseason exhibition game on October 18, 2025. The game will take place at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is set to tip off at 1 p.m.
ET. BYU, which had a successful 2024-25 season, finishing with a 26-10 record and earning a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, will be showcasing AJ Dybantsa, a top prospect. Nebraska, on the other hand, concluded the previous season with a 21-14 overall record but struggled in the Big Ten with a 7-13 record. The game will not be broadcast on national television but can be streamed live on Big Ten+.
Why It's Important?
This exhibition game is significant as it marks the beginning of the preseason for both teams, providing an opportunity to assess new talent and team dynamics ahead of the regular season. For BYU, featuring AJ Dybantsa, a highly anticipated player, this game serves as a platform to gauge his performance at the collegiate level. Nebraska aims to improve upon its previous season's Big Ten record, and this matchup offers a chance to test strategies and player capabilities. The availability of the game on Big Ten+ highlights the growing trend of sports streaming, which allows fans to access games beyond traditional TV broadcasts.
What's Next?
Following the exhibition game, both teams will proceed with their regular season schedules. Nebraska's upcoming games include matchups against West Georgia, FIU, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. BYU will face Villanova, Holy Cross, Delaware, UConn, and Wisconsin. These games will further prepare the teams for their respective conference challenges and potential NCAA Tournament bids. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how both teams perform and adapt throughout the season.
Beyond the Headlines
The exhibition game between Nebraska and BYU underscores the importance of preseason matchups in college basketball. These games allow teams to experiment with lineups and strategies without the pressure of regular season standings. Additionally, the focus on streaming services like Big Ten+ reflects a shift in how audiences consume sports content, potentially influencing future broadcasting and media rights negotiations.
