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The Nebraska men’s basketball team made a special request of Cornhuskers fans during the program’s historic run: Please stay in your seats.
Nebraska continued its perfect run and program-best start at 14-0 with a 58-56 victory over No. 9 Michigan State at home Friday night, but as the final buzzer sounded, fans stormed the field to celebrate.
Nebraska guard Jamarques Lawrence (10) reacts after a basket against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)
This is the team’s 18th consecutive victory since last season, which is the longest streak in the country.
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Although the players were grateful for their support, they appealed to fans to stop storming the pitch.
“If you’re No. 13 versus No. 9 and you’re at home, in my opinion you’re supposed to win that game,” Nebraska forward Rienk Mast said. “I don’t blame the fans. They were excited about this win. From now on, we proved that we belong in these games and that we are supposed to win these kinds of games.”
“Every game we have to prove it, that this is not a fluke and that we are on a good streak and that we can go cold,” he said. “We have to stay calm and continue to prove people wrong.”
Nebraska Cornhuskers fans storm the field after a victory against the Michigan State Spartans at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska on January 2, 2026. (Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
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Guard Jamarques Lawrence echoed that sentiment.
“We’re supposed to win this game, guys,” he said. “No more legal storms, please. I just have to say that. »
Interestingly enough, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo had no problem with the celebrations.
Nebraska fans celebrate after a game against Michigan State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)
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“I really loved it, I really loved it,” he said after the match. “It doesn’t happen a lot at home. And it shouldn’t happen. But it should happen here. It’s kind of a new experience. That’s the beauty of what you do when you build a program.”
“They were lining up there, I was like ‘go for it. I thought it was great.”
