The dream season for Nebraska basketball came to a sudden halt on Thursday night, ending in a heart-wrenching loss to Iowa.
Nebraska held multiple 10-point leads and was up by eight in the second half, but their offense struggled to maintain momentum. Shooting just 13-of-38 from beyond the arc, the Huskers lived and died by the three-pointer. However, this wasn’t the only factor in their 77-71 defeat.
In the final moments, after Braden Frager hit a crucial three to cut Iowa’s lead to three, Nebraska found themselves in a critical defensive situation with 58 seconds remaining. A stop or turnover could have kept their hopes alive, but an unexpected blunder occurred.
With only four players on the court, Nebraska left themselves vulnerable. Iowa capitalized, converting a long pass into a basket and drawing a foul, sealing the game.
This marked the end of Nebraska’s first journey to the Sweet 16, a bittersweet conclusion against their rival Iowa. The Hawkeyes now advance to face either Illinois or Houston for a spot in the Final Four.
Nebraska’s season finale was a rollercoaster of emotions. Fans experienced the highs and lows of the NCAA Tournament in just a week.
Iowa’s Sandfort led with 25 points, while Frager contributed 16 with five three-pointers. Rienk Mast struggled, hitting only 4-of-15 shots, and Sam Hoiberg, despite some bright moments, missed key opportunities and had five turnovers.
For Nebraska’s seniors, it was a tough farewell to their college careers. The lingering question remains: what if things had gone differently?