Nebraska Rout of Le Moyne Sets Stage for Providence Clash

Pryce Sandfort scored 20 points to lead the University of Nebraska men’s basketball team to a 106-64 victory over Le Moyne in its season opener. The win marked the start of the 2026-27 season for the Cornhuskers, who overcame a 1-for-6 start from beyond the three-point line to secure a decisive lead.

Sandfort, a First Team All-Big Ten returner, was the top scorer in a game where Nebraska forced 17 turnovers. Starting guard Cale Jacobsen contributed 16 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Connor Essegian, who returned from a season-ending injury the previous year, added 13 points off the bench. Freshman Jacob Lanier and Damon Wilkinson each scored 11 points.

The Cornhuskers established a 58-32 halftime lead by shooting over 62% from the field in the first half. Despite the combined 2-for-11 performance of the team’s primary shooters, Nebraska finished 14-for-30 from deep, including an 8-for-16 effort in the second half.

Nebraska will face Providence in its first major test on Saturday, November 7, at the Hall of Fame Classic. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Fans can watch the matchup on FS1 or listen via the Huskers Radio Network and its affiliates.

Providence enters the contest with a 1-0 record under head coach Bryan Hodgson. This is his first season at the Friars, where he previously coached at South Florida and Arkansas State. The team finished last season 15-18, a record that resulted in a missed postseason bid and the firing of former head coach Kim English.

The Friars are rebuilding after losing several key players, including guards Jaylin Sellers and Jason Edwards, who graduated. Stefan Vaaks and Jamier Jones entered the transfer portal, landing at Illinois and Missouri, respectively. Hodgson has added several new players to the roster, including graduate transfer Miles Byrd from South Dakota State and senior transfer Malik Mack from Georgetown.

Byrd was named Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in the 2025-2026 season. Mack, who previously played at Harvard and Georgetown, joins the starting lineup. Other notable additions include Italian freshman Leonardo Marangon and four-star recruit Javon Bardwell, who scored 12 points in his college debut against Maine. The Friars will play with pace and defense, aiming to challenge Nebraska’s size advantage.