Nebraska’s men’s basketball team secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory on Thursday, defeating Troy 81-73 in the first round, marking a watershed moment for a program historically overshadowed by its football counterpart.
The win, played in Omaha, Nebraska, propelled the Cornhuskers into the second round of the tournament for the first time in their history. Fred Hoiberg, in his sixth season as head coach, now boasts a record of 111-113, but the recent success offers a significant boost to his tenure. The team’s performance comes after a season where they reached the tournament with a 23-10 record.
Nebraska’s journey to this point has been marked by periods of struggle and modest success. The program, established in 1897, has made eight previous NCAA Division I tournament appearances, but had never advanced past the first round. Prior to 2024, the team’s most recent tournament appearance was in 2014. The university’s athletic director, Troy Dannen, inherited a program seeking consistent national relevance.
The victory over Troy was particularly notable given the program’s historical context. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Nebraska became the 245th school to win an NCAA men’s basketball tournament game. The team plays its home games at Pinnacle Bank Arena, which has a capacity of 15,000.
The Cornhuskers’ success has sparked considerable discussion among fans, with some questioning whether Nebraska should now be considered a “basketball school.” The team will face Gonzaga in the second round on Saturday, March 21, 2026, with the opportunity to further cement its place in the national conversation.
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