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Fresh off six straight losses, Brice Williams has led Nebraska to back-to-back ranked wins

After a Saturday glued to the couch, college basketball fans thought they could be a bit more productive on Sunday with a smaller slate of games. The small slate still delivered though, with the night cap of Nebraska at Oregon providing the day’s biggest headline. Nebraska went to Eugene and stole a game from Oregon, winning 77-71 on the Ducks’ home floor behind another signature performance from its star Brice Williams (19.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 46.7% FG). Williams and teammate Juwan Gary combined for 53 of the Cornhuskers’ 71 points, combining to shoot over 50% from the field and hitting 16 of 19 free throw attempts for an uber efficient night from Nebraska’s stud duo.

The Cornhuskers never trailed for the game’s final 38 minutes after taking an early 4-2 lead at Matthew Knight Arena. Another momentous win for Nebraska, just a week removed from a 28-point loss at Wisconsin for its sixth straight loss. How has this team’s season completely changed over the last five days?

Well, to keep it simple, it’s been the play of Williams. Not to say Williams didn’t have a couple of great games during the losing streak, but his play in the last two games (Nebraska won 80-74 vs Illinois on Thursday) has been nothing short of spectacular. After 27 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the win vs Illinois, Williams hit ten of 18 shots vs Oregon en route to recording 28 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. The 55 points across two games was the most Williams had recorded in back-to-back contests since Nebraska’s run in the Diamond Head Classic in late December.

Perhaps the most notable statistic has been Williams’ ability to draw fouls over the last two games, getting to the line 17 times in the last two games, compared to just 20 free throw attempts over the six-game losing streak.

With Williams rolling, this Nebraska team has a chance to really put together a run under “February Fred” Hoiberg. Nebraska’s schedule to finish the season goes as follows: at Washington, vs Ohio State, vs Maryland, at Northwestern, at Penn State, vs Michigan, vs Minnesota, at Ohio State, and vs Iowa. With three of its four toughest remaining games coming at Pinnacle Bank Arena, I feel positive Nebraska can go on a huge run in February like it has the last two seasons under Hoiberg.

Just a week removed from the season coming crashing down, the Cornhuskers have flipped the script and should feel confident in their chances to reach a second consecutive NCAA Tournament. Brice Williams may be one of the best players that just isn’t talked about whatsoever on the national landscape, but if Nebraska can find their way into the Big Dance, that may just change.

Other Things to Note:

• Morez Johnson Jr.’s double-double leads #18 Illinois past Ohio State 87-79
• 26 points for PJ Haggerty as #19 Memphis survives Rice 86-83 on the road
• West Virginia pulls off 63-50 road win at Cincinnati behind 40-point first half
• DePaul picks up second Big East win in 74-57 blowout of Seton Hall
• #8 Iowa State, #16 Kansas meet in Allen Fieldhouse for ESPN Big Monday (9:00 ET, ESPN)