The Nebraska men’s basketball team is on the cusp of potentially making history as they aim for their first-ever NCAA Tournament win. As they prepare to face Troy, the champions of the Sun Belt conference, head coach Fred Hoiberg emphasizes the importance of starting strong against their opponent.
Ranked as the No. 4 seed, the Huskers are set to play against the No. 13 seed Trojans on Thursday in Oklahoma City. Nebraska remains the only school from a power conference yet to secure a victory in the NCAA Tournament, a fact well-known to the team, though Hoiberg believes his players are adept at staying focused on the present task.
“Our guys have done a lot of really good things this year, some things that have never been done in the history of the program,” Hoiberg stated. “A lot of that has been done because our guys have really had great focus, and they haven’t gotten too far ahead of themselves, and all they worried about is the next assignment.”
Hoiberg recognizes Troy as a formidable opponent, noting their consistent performance over the years. “Listen, it’s a team that’s won 20 games five straight years, so they’ve got a winning culture, and we’re going to have to be on point,” he said. With the support of a strong fan base expected in Oklahoma City, Hoiberg hopes to energize the crowd early.
Reflecting on past performances, the Trojans gave Kentucky a tough match in the previous year’s tournament before ultimately succumbing. This history adds to the challenge Nebraska faces.
Among the Huskers’ lineup, seniors Sam Hoiberg, Jamarques Lawrence, and Rienk Mast bring valuable experience, having participated in the 2024 NCAA Tournament where they lost to Texas A&M in the first round. Coach Hoiberg believes this experience could be advantageous.
Sam Hoiberg, determined to block out distractions, has removed himself from social media. He acknowledges the weight of Nebraska’s previous tournament history but remains focused on the opportunity at hand. “This is our last chance to get this tourney win for our program,” he expressed. “So we’re going to do everything in our power to prepare the best that we possibly can, and I think we’re just bringing that urgency in, trying to spread that to the rest of the team.”
The matchup against Troy is scheduled for 11:40 a.m. CT on Thursday, with live coverage available on Tru TV and streaming through the March Madness Live app. The victor will advance to face the winner of the No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 McNeese game on Saturday. Details regarding the time and television coverage for the second round have yet to be disclosed.
