Wayne State, Nebraska-Kearney Create Flat Water Trophy
The traveling trophy will go to the winner of each non-conference men's basketball meeting between the two schools.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
Wayne State coach Jeff Kaminsky and Nebraska-Kearney coach Marty Levinson announced the creation of the Flat Water Hardwood Classic traveling trophy. The teams open the 2026-27 season against each other Monday at 7 p.m. at Rice Arena.
Why it matters
The series dates to the 1919-20 season and has been played nearly every year since, sometimes two or three times a season. A permanent trophy gives the rivalry a tangible prize for each non-conference meeting.
Nebraska-Kearney holds a 92-79 all-time series lead, with recent results including a 62-59 UNK win in Kearney last season and a 65-64 Wayne State win two years ago. The home team has won nine of the last 10 meetings since the 2016-17 season.
The players
Jeff Kaminsky
Jeff Kaminsky is the head men's basketball coach at Wayne State College in Nebraska.
Marty Levinson
Marty Levinson is the head men's basketball coach at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The details
The Flat Water Hardwood Classic is named for the Oto Indian word Nebrathka, meaning "Flat Water," a reference to the Platte River and an official symbol of Nebraska. The trophy will be awarded to the winner of each non-conference game between the two programs.
Timeline
1919-20 season: the Wayne State vs. Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball series began.
2016-17 season: the recent home-team trend in the series begins.
Two years ago: Wayne State won 65-64 over Nebraska-Kearney.
Last season: Nebraska-Kearney won 62-59 in Kearney.
Monday at 7 p.m.: the teams open the 2026-27 season at Rice Arena in Wayne.
The Big Picture
The series traces to the 1919-20 season and has been played nearly every year since, with some seasons featuring two or three meetings. The new Flat Water trophy gives a century-old Nebraska college rivalry a physical prize for the first time.
Fans attending Monday's opener at Rice Arena will see the first game for the new Flat Water trophy, which will go to the winner. The trophy adds a stake to every non-conference meeting between the two schools.
The takeaway
Rivalries gain lasting weight when they come with a tangible prize, and this trophy gives a long-running Nebraska series one. Readers following college basketball in the state can track how the series develops from here.
What happens next
The two teams open the 2026-27 season against each other Monday at 7 p.m. at Rice Arena in Wayne.
Further reading
For more on the state's college hoops scene, see Basketball coverage on Wisevoter.
