Iowa vs. Nebraska history: Complete NCAA tournament results, head-to-head record, more from rivalry

While the Iowa Hawkeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers face off in the Heroes Game in college football, their rivalry on the hardwood has begun picking up steam. The two are set to meet in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The Cornhuskers made history in 2026 when they won their first-ever tournament game, defeating No. 13 Troy 76-47. Nebraska proved it wasn’t finished, edging No. 5 Vanderbilt 74-72 in the Round of 32.

The Hawkeyes will look to end this run when the teams meet in the Sweet Sixteen, but only time will tell.

Let’s take a look at the history of Iowa and Nebraska’s basketball programs and how they match up head-to-head before they face off. 

MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more

Iowa vs. Nebraska basketball history

The first meeting between the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers came on Jan. 28, 1907, 16 years after the two schools first met on the gridiron. Nebraska was victorious, 27-17, on its home court in Lincoln. Prior to Nebraska’s move to the Big Ten in 2011, the two schools scheduled several series over the years. They played three games in the early 1930s, a yearly series from 1941 to 1945, another from 1953 to 1956, and two home-and-home sets during the 1970–71 and 1975–76 seasons. In total, Iowa and Nebraska played 19 times during the 20th century, with Iowa holding a 12–7 edge in the series.

After the 1976 game, the two schools went 35 years without meeting again until the 2011–12 season, when Nebraska joined the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers won their first conference matchup against the Hawkeyes, 79-73, in Iowa City.

During the 2025–26 season, the rivalry took on a new edge as former Hawkeye forward Pryce Sandfort transferred from Iowa to Nebraska. On Feb. 17, unranked Iowa upset No. 9 Nebraska in Iowa City, winning 57–52 in a game that resulted in fans storming the court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 

MORE: Ranking the Sweet 16 coaches from best to worst

Iowa vs. Nebraska basketball record

Despite losing the first game in their history and the first Big Ten game, it is actually the Hawkeyes who currently hold the edge in the rivalry series. Prior to their 2026 Sweet Sixteen matchup, Iowa is ahead 28-16 among all basketball matchups between the two Midwest schools.

Before Nebraska joined the Big Ten ahead of the 2011-2012 season, Iowa led the series 12-7. Nebraska's latest victory during the 2025-2026 season snapped a four-game win streak for the Hawkeyes in the series. 

SN AWARDS: All-America team | Boozer Player of the Year | Lloyd Coach of the Year 

Iowa vs. Nebraska March Madness basketball history

The Hawkeyes have made 30 appearances in the NCAA tournament. The program's combined record is 33-31. Their best result came in 1956, when they lost 83-71 in the national championship to a San Francisco squad that featured NBA legend Bill Russell. They also made the Final Four in 1980, but lost to No. 2 Louisville 80-72.

Nebraska has made a total of 9 appearances in the NCAA tournament, with its Sweet 16 matchup against the Hawkeyes serving as its 10th tourney game. Prior to 2026, the Cornhuskers had an 0-8 record across all tournament games since their first in 1986. In 2026, Nebraska was victorious against No. 13 Troy 76-47 and No. 5 Vanderbilt 74-72. Nebraska was the last Power Conference school to be winless in the tournament until 2026.

• SN's 2026 NBA Mock Draft
• 10 best NBA prospects in March Madness
• Ranking the college basketball's loaded freshmen class

Iowa vs. Nebraska basketball championships

Iowa has won eight Big Ten regular-season titles (1923, 1926, 1945, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1970, 1979). Along with this, the Hawkeyes have won three Big Ten tournament titles (2001, 2006, 2022). They have never won the NCAA Tournament, with their only championship appearance coming in their 1956 loss to San Francisco.

The Cornhuskers, on the other hand, have won seven regular-season titles (1912, 1913, 1914, 1916, 1929, 1949, 1950) while they were in the Big Seven Conference. Their lone conference tournament title came in 1994, when they won the Big Eight Conference tournament. The Cornhuskers have never won an NCAA championship.