Pressure has not let up for the Bruins after breaking what had previously been touted as a curse.

After knocking off then-No. 14 Gonzaga last Saturday – fracturing an eight-year skid against the Bulldogs – No. 15 UCLA men’s basketball (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten) will take on Nebraska (11-2, 1-1) on Saturday morning in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Bruins’ triumph over the Bulldogs closed the chapter that caused UCLA fans much heartache. The teams’ previous four meetings resulted in a loss for UCLA, two of which also eliminated the Bruins from the NCAA Tournament.

UCLA’s matchup against Nebraska will mark its third Big Ten game of the season after defeating both Washington and then-No. 12 Oregon on Dec. 3 and Dec. 8, respectively.

“The energy won’t be a problem in the building. Better to have toughness,” said coach Mick Cronin. “You better travel your defense, because teams with home crowds like that tend to play harder. And I think it’s fool’s gold to think you’re going to go into those types of places and score 80 points.”

The Cornhuskers’ average attendance in Pinnacle Bank Arena ranks third in the Big Ten at 14,848. Junior guard Skyy Clark – who competed in the Big Ten at Illinois his freshman season, then in the Atlantic Coast Conference at Louisville the following year – said the intensity of Big Ten basketball is unmatched.

“They’re definitely tough places,” Clark said. “I don’t think I can name a single Big Ten stadium where their fans don’t come and show out and support. And they’re talking trash. It definitely gets loud and rowdy.”

UCLA’s third look into conference contention will feature a reunion with a familiar face. Forward Berke Büyüktuncel spent his freshman season at UCLA in 2023-2024 before transferring to Nebraska.

His former roommate, senior guard Lazar Stefanovic, said Büyüktuncel has adjusted well to his new environment.

“I was in contact a little bit with him. We’ve watched some of their games,” Stefanovic said. “I’m happy for him. He looks happy. He looks like he’s doing really well.”

Along with Büyüktuncel’s addition as a 6-foot-10 threat, Cronin said Nebraska presents a strong defensive challenge.

The Huskers force 14.2 turnovers per game on average and rank 15th nationwide in defensive rebounds. Forward Juwan Gary averages not only double-digit points each game but has 16 steals and seven blocks so far this season.

Saturday’s affair will ring in the new year for UCLA and commence a slate of 18 conference games.

“Big Ten is tough. It’s going to be hard to walk away with a double-digit win frequently,” Clark said. “Having those games where we learn how to win when it’s crunch time and we really need to tighten up is only going to help us going on.”