LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska athletic department on Monday announced the rekindling of a rivalry on the hardwood.
The Nebraska men’s basketball team will take on Oklahoma at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Nov. 15.
The two old conference rivals will face off for just the second time since 2010 as the Sooners lead the all-time series 105-83.
“We push to make the best possible matchups for teams when they come to the Pentagon,” said Jesse Smith, vice president of operations for Sanford Sports. “Two former conference rivals and two passionate fan bases getting back together makes for a tremendous game and dynamic atmosphere on Heritage Court. We want to thank Coach Fred Hoiberg and Coach Porter Moser for bringing their programs back to the Sanford Pentagon for this early season showdown.”
Nebraska returns five letter winners from a team that went 21-14 in 2024-25.
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That group includes returning starters Berke Buyuktuncel and Sam Hoiberg, along with Connor Essegian, who averaged 10.7 points off the bench last season.
Nebraska also returns Rienk Mast, who earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023-24 before missing last season with an injury.
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The Huskers also welcome a transfer class that currently ranks in the top 20 in the On3 Transfer Portal Index.
Nebraska is 2-1 all-time at the Sanford Pentagon, defeating Oklahoma State in 2018 and Oregon State in 2023. Last season, the Huskers lost to St. Mary’s in Sioux Falls.
“This is the third straight year we have played in Sioux Falls, and Sanford Sports runs the event in a first-class manner,” Hoiberg said. “Oklahoma will be a very good test for us early in the season. I have a lot of respect for Porter Moser and his program, and they are coming off a season where they won 20 games and reached the NCAA Tournament. For our fans, it’s a chance to face an old conference rival in one of the most unique venues in college basketball. We are excited to add this game to our non-conference schedule, and I know the Sanford Pentagon will be full of Husker fans.”
Oklahoma was selected as a No. 9 seed in last season’s NCAA tournament as one of the Southeastern Conference’s record 14 bids.
The Sooners fell in the Round of 64 to two-time defending national champion UConn and finished their season with a 20-14 record.
Oklahoma is 1-0 all-time at the Sanford Pentagon, defeating Minnesota in 2019.
“We are looking forward to traveling to Sioux Falls and playing against an excellent Nebraska program,” Moser said. “Coach Hoiberg is a high-level coach for whom I have a lot of respect. I’ve heard fantastic things about the Sanford Pentagon, and our players and staff will be excited to experience the game atmosphere there. OU and Nebraska share a deep history that includes almost 200 all-time matchups, but this will be just our second meeting since 2011, which will make it extra fun.”
The Huskers and the Sooners were conference rivals for nearly a century until Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2010.
The only meeting between the two teams since then was a 69-56 Sooner victory at the 2022 ESPN Events Invitational.
This is set to be the second neutral site game of the 2024-25 season for Nebraska so far, as the Huskers also play in the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City on Nov. 21-22.
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