Nebraska basketball fans, buckle up. After a rocky end to the season, dropping six of their last 12 games, the Huskers have landed a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.
While many expected them to snag a No. 3 seed, the late-season slide opened the door for Purdue to leapfrog them in the rankings. But hey, a fourth seed is still a solid spot, and it positions Nebraska as a favorite to make it to the Sweet 16.
This is a historic moment for Nebraska-it's the first time since 1991 that they’ve been a top-four seed, and only the second time ever. However, the Huskers haven’t yet cracked the code to advance past the first round, so there's a lot riding on this matchup.
Their first challenge? The 13th-seeded Troy Trojans, who clinched both the regular season and tournament titles in the Sun Belt Conference. Troy is making its second consecutive tournament appearance, having fallen to Kentucky in the first round last year.
Nebraska is stepping onto the court as a 13.5-point favorite for the game, which tips off at 11:40 CST on Thursday. Troy brings a 22-11 record to the table, and here’s why this matchup could be trickier than it seems.
Keep an Eye on Thomas Dowd
Thomas Dowd, a 6-foot-8 junior, is a force to be reckoned with. Averaging 14.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, he led the Sun Belt in boards. Dowd is also a threat from beyond the arc, hitting 33 percent of his threes on 5.7 attempts per game.
Dowd has the kind of game that can turn the tide in an upset. Nebraska’s head coach, Fred Hoiberg, will have to strategize carefully on who gets the assignment to guard him. Dowd not only scores but also dishes out over two assists per game, making him a multifaceted threat.
A standout performance from Dowd could spell trouble for Nebraska. Berke might be the best option to contain him, using his length to disrupt Dowd’s rhythm. But remember, facing a Big Ten defense is a whole different ballgame.
Troy’s 3-Point Barrage
Nebraska’s defense is all about protecting the rim, which could play to their advantage. Troy is known for getting to the free-throw line, averaging 21 attempts per game. However, they might struggle to draw fouls against Nebraska’s athleticism and aggressive help defense.
The Trojans are no slouches from deep, making 9.3 threes per game, ranking 72nd in the nation. While their overall percentage is just 33.5, Cooper Campbell and Cobi Campbell are sharpshooters, hitting 38.6 and 40.4 percent respectively.
Nebraska will need to contest these shots effectively and dominate the boards to limit Troy’s second-chance opportunities. The key will be to force enough misses and control the glass.
Nebraska’s Approach to the Arc
Troy’s weakness lies in their interior defense. They rank 164th in defensive 2-point percentage and 171st in blocks per game. Nebraska’s big men-Rienk Mast, Braden Frager, Pryce Sandfort, and even Sam Hoiberg-need to attack the basket aggressively.
The guards should penetrate the paint to create open looks from three. But forcing threes isn’t the answer. Nebraska must let those shots come naturally within the flow of the offense.
When the Huskers stick to their game plan, their 3-point shooting is a weapon. But if they start forcing bad shots, it could become a liability. To advance past the first round for the first time, Nebraska needs to play smart and let their strengths shine.
The stage is set. Will Nebraska make history? Only time will tell.