BYU secured a 72-61 victory over Nebraska in an exhibition basketball game on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at the Marriott Center, marking the start of the Cougars' 2026-27 season. The win provided a preview of a roster undergoing significant changes due to the transfer portal and evolving NCAA eligibility rules.
Scoring Leaders and Key Statistics
Collin Chandler led the Cougars in scoring with 19 points, shooting 6-of-13 from the field and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also recorded two rebounds and one assist during the contest. Robert Wright III contributed 17 points, including two 3-pointers, and recorded seven assists while playing 36 minutes.
Jaxon Kohler, a 6-foot-10 post player and former American Fork standout, added 10 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes of play. Other notable contributors for BYU included Branch III, who scored 15 points, and Tyler Betsey, who added three points.
Nebraska's scoring was led by freshman Cale Jacobsen, who recorded 15 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Braden Frager contributed 8 points and 7 rebounds, while Pryce Sandfort added 8 points. The Huskers finished the game shooting 37.3% from the field and 42% from the 3-point line.
Roster Transitions and Eligibility
The 2026-27 BYU roster features significant personnel shifts, with only five players returning from the previous season: Robert Wright III, Nate Pickens, Khadim Mboup, Brody Kozlowski, and Dawson Baker. The team's composition has been influenced by the NCAA's "5 in 5" rule instituted in June, which allows current players five years of eligibility.
One key addition for the Cougars is Jaxon Kohler, who completed four years at Michigan State last spring. BYU head coach Kevin Young noted in June that the program sought specific size and functionality in the post to pair with Robert Wright III. Young stated that while the team aims for more size, the focus remains on finding players with the necessary skill sets to play away from the basket.
Nebraska enters the season following a 28-7 campaign in 2025-26, which included a Sweet 16 appearance. The Huskers have seen significant departures, including post player Rienk Mast, who went unsigned in the NBA Draft but signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers, and point guard Sam Hoiberg. Other departures include graduated guard Jamarques Lawrence and big man Berke Buyuktuncel.
Nebraska's New Additions
To bolster their roster, Nebraska has integrated several transfers, adding significant size to their frontcourt. The Huskers added former Utah Valley point guard Trevan Leonhardt, South Dakota State transfer Damon Wilkinson, Belmont transfer Sam Orme, and Boston College transfer Boden Kapke.
In their most recent exhibition prior to the BYU matchup, Nebraska lost 79-74 to St. Louis in Lincoln. That game saw freshman Jacob Lanier lead the Huskers with 15 points, while Cale Jacobsen contributed 10 points.
Team Performance and Trends
During the exhibition win against Nebraska, BYU demonstrated a strong finish, scoring 7-0 in the final 1:35 of the game. The Cougars also managed a 10-0 run during the contest. BYU's shooting percentages included 41.3% from the field, 27.8% from the 3-point line, and 58.8% from the free-throw line.
Nebraska struggled with efficiency, shooting 37% from the field and 27% from the 3-point line. The Huskers also struggled from the charity stripe, converting only 18 of 28 free throws (64.3%) in the matchup.
Upcoming Schedule
Following the exhibition against Nebraska, BYU will travel to Las Vegas for an exhibition game against UNLV on Oct. 24, 2026. The Cougars' regular season schedule includes a home matchup against Ohio State on Nov. 2, 2026, and a game against NorthWestern on Dec. 5, 2026.
