Malik Mack tossed in 12 points during Providence’s season-opening victory over Maine, and he’ll likely draw plenty of attention from the Nebraska defense when those teams meet Saturday night in Uncasville, Conn.
Mack, who transferred to Providence from Georgetown following the 2025-26 season, scored 25 points during a loss to Nebraska in the College Basketball Crown tournament two seasons ago.
“He has the ability to shoot, has the ability to go by guys, get downhill, and then he’s got shooters all around him with spacing,” Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He’s really dynamic with the ball in his hands. He’s great in transition (and) they throw a lot of lobs. He’s a handful out there and having the experience of going against him, we certainly know what he’s capable of doing.”
The Nebraska-Providence matchup is part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off, which includes a game between Rhode Island and Monmouth.
Nebraska (1-0) opened its season with a 106-64 victory over Le Moyne. Five Nebraska players scored in double figures in the win, led by Pryce Sandfort’s 20-point effort. It was the 17th time Sandfort, a senior, has scored at least 20 points in a game during his college career.
Nebraska has won 23 consecutive nonconference games during the regular season.
Providence (1-0) is coming off an 83-56 victory over Maine in what was Bryan Hodgson’s first game as the Friars’ head coach. Maine was within eight points at halftime, but the Friars outscored the Black Bears 49-30 over the final 20 minutes.
“They played much harder than us, quite honestly, in the first half,” Hodgson said following the win. “We didn’t play up to our standard. … We answered the bell in the second half. Played a lot better with more of the intensity we were looking for on both sides of the basketball.
“We got to get a lot better before Saturday. We have to put a full 40-minute game together.”
UNLV transfer Jacob Bannarbie came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points and grab 10 rebounds for Providence in the win. Mack was 5 of 10 from the field with two 3-pointers in 27 minutes.
Providence forced 23 turnovers, including 17 steals.
