As Selection Sunday arrives, Nebraska basketball finds itself with a mix of promising and challenging news. On the upside, the Huskers are set to play in Oklahoma City, a location favored by many fans. However, they’ve been assigned a 4-seed after a rocky end to their season, finishing 6-6 in their last 12 games and exiting the Big Ten Tournament after just one game.
Adding to the challenge, Nebraska is set to face a formidable 13-seed opponent in the Sun Belt champions, Troy. Dismissing the Trojans as an easy matchup would be a mistake.
Earlier this season, Troy pushed USC, a Big Ten rival of Nebraska, to triple overtime before narrowly losing 107-106. This performance highlights Troy's ability to compete fiercely, even if they might not sustain it over a full season in a major conference.
Nebraska's rebounding woes are set to be tested against Troy, a team known for dominating the boards. The Trojans' success, marked by a 22-11 record and a Sun Belt title, is largely due to their height and aggressive rebounding.
For Nebraska, rebounding has been a persistent issue, often contributing to their losses. Addressing this Achilles heel is crucial as they aim for their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history.
The wait won't be long for fans eager to see if Fred Hoiberg's squad can overcome these challenges. Nebraska and Troy are scheduled to clash on Thursday, offering the Huskers a chance to shake off recent tight performances without the pressure of a prolonged wait.