Wayne, Neb. — Wayne State men’s basketball coach Jeff Kaminsky and Nebraska Kearney head coach Marty Levinson have announced the creation of a traveling trophy to commemorate the long-standing series and rivalry between the Wildcats and Nebraska-Kearney on the hardwood.
The two teams open the 2026-27 season against each other Monday evening at 7 p.m. at Rice Arena in Wayne. Fans not in attendance can follow along via The River 93.1/106. FM, the NSIC Network ($) and live stats.
The Flat Water Hardwood Classic traveling trophy has been created and will be given to the team that wins when the two teams face each other in a non-conference game. Kaminsky stated the name Nebraska is based on an Oto Indian word Nebrathka meaning “Flat Water”, which refers to the Platte River and is also an official symbol of Nebraska.
The WSC/UNK men’s basketball series began in the 1919-20 season and the two teams have faced each other normally every season since, sometimes two or three times in the same season. The Lopers hold a 92-79 lead with UNK winning last season in Kearney, 62-59. Two years ago WSC posted a 65-64 win over the Lopers in Rice Arena. The home team has won nine of the last 10 matchups, dating back to the 2016-17 season
