On Friday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena, IU basketball faced a crushing 85 - 68 loss to Nebraska. The sold-out crowd of Cornhuskers fans erupted with "Hoosier daddy" chants as their team went on a 17 - 1 run in the final six-plus minutes. This defeat marked a significant setback for the Hoosiers, who ended the game shooting just 35.4% from the field and 22.9% from 3 - point range.

The Impact of the Loss on IU's Players

Myles Rice's Struggle

In the loss to the Huskers, Myles Rice showed great determination as he scored 13 straight points in the second half, keeping the game within reach. His defensive prowess was on full display as well, with two steals and a charge drawn. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the team's shooting woes. In the second half alone, Rice scored 14 points on 5 - of - 9 shooting, while the rest of the team combined for only 13 points on 5 - of - 27 shooting (18.5%). The Hoosiers had a disastrous 3 - point shooting performance and managed only 10 second - chance points on 15 offensive rebounds. Despite a breakout game with 20 points against UNC Greensboro on Nov. 21, Rice was held scoreless in the final 10:55, highlighting the team's reliance on him.

Mackenzie Mgbako's Inconsistency

Mgbako started the second half with an incredible block under the basket, followed by a left - handed layup in transition, showcasing his athleticism and pro - level potential. But it was the first significant impact he had on the game. He picked up two fouls in less than 30 seconds to start the game and played just one minute in the first half. After picking up his third foul with 13:17 to go in the game, he went back to the bench. This was the third time in four games that Mgbako played less than 25 minutes. His scoring average of 8.0 points over the past four games is a far cry from his November average of 17.2 points per game. Indiana can't afford to have its best 3 - point shooter on the bench for more than half the game. He tied for the second - fewest minutes of his career with 13 minutes.Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald - Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.