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The Nebraska men’s basketball team made a peculiar request to Cornhuskers fans amid the program’s historic run: Please stay in your seats.
Nebraska continued its perfect run and program-best start to 14-0 with a 58-56 win over No. 9 Michigan State at home on Friday night, but when the final buzzer sounded, fans stormed the court in celebration.
Nebraska guard Jamarques Lawrence reacts after a basket against Michigan State in the first half, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)
The victory marked the team’s 18th straight victory dating back to last season, which is the longest streak in the nation.
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While the players are grateful for the support, they asked fans to stop storming the pitch.
“If you’re No. 13 against No. 9 and you’re at home, in my opinion, you’re supposed to win that game,” Nebraska’s Rienk Mast said. “I don’t blame the fans. They got excited for that win. From here on out we’ve proven that we belong in these games and we’re meant to win those kinds of games.”
“Every single game we have to prove that this is not a fluke and that we are on a hot streak and we can go cold,” he said. “We have to stay balanced and keep proving people wrong.”
Fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers storm the field after a win against the Michigan State Spartans at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 2, 2026. (Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
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Guard Jamarques Lawrence echoed that sentiment.
“We’re supposed to win that game, guys,” he said. “No more legal storms, please. I just have to say.”
Interestingly, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo had no problem with the festivities.
Nebraska fans celebrate after a game against Michigan State in the second half in Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)
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“I absolutely loved it, loved it,” he said after the game. “It doesn’t happen a lot at us. And it shouldn’t. But it should happen here. It’s kind of a new experience. That’s the beauty of what you do as you build a program.”
“They were queuing back there, I thought to myself ‘go for it’. I thought it was great.”
