How to Watch: Nebraska Basketball's B1G Semifinal Matchup Against Illinois

The Husker men have one more game to win in order to play for the Big Ten championship

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are in the semifinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament! They have a tough matchup on deck, but first let's recap how they got here.

After earning an automatic berth in the quarterfinals following their third-place conference finish in the regular season, the Huskers took on the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday.

The Hoosiers are a traditional power in men’s basketball, but let’s just say you couldn’t tell that after the 93-66 beatdown the Huskers put on them. Nebraska, now 23-9 on the season, was led by Keisei Tominaga and Brice Williams with 23 points apiece. Jamarques Lawrence also had a brilliant day with 15 points as he shot 5-for-6 from the field.

It was the final game of the day as three other competitions took place. The results:

• Purdue 67, Michigan State 62.
• Wisconsin 70, Northwestern 61.
• Illinois 77, Ohio State 74.
• Nebraska 93, Indiana 66.

Below is how to watch Nebraska's semifinal matchup Saturday against a tough Illinois squad.

• Time: Approximately 3 pm CDT
• TV: CBS
• Where: Target Center, Minneapolis
• Last meeting: Feb. 4, 2024 (Illinois won 87-84 in overtime)
• Next matchup: The winner faces Purdue or Wisconsin on Sunday.

Illinois (24-8) is led by elite-level guard Terrance Shannon Jr., who is fresh off a 28-point performance against the Buckeyes. This will be a tough player to stop, but if the Huskers can lock him down they could have a legitimate shot to finish off the Fighting Illini. Shannon had 18 points against the Huskers in the teams' lone meeting this season.

Prediction: I believe this game will be another close one, but I don't think it will quite as high-scoring as last time. I do believe this is a one-possession game in favor of Nebraska with another high-level performance from Tominaga. I have the Huskers taking this one. Nebraska 79, Illinois 77.

Other semifinal prediction: Purdue is an elite team and the world knows that. As long as Zach Edey is on fire, I see no chance that Wisconsin wins this one. Give me Purdue 74, Wisconsin 61.

Huskers Rout Indiana in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals