Nebraska advanced to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time in program history after defeating Vanderbilt 74-72 in the second round.
Game Summary
The game concluded with Braden Frager scoring the winning layup for Nebraska. Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner attempted a half-court shot at the buzzer that did not go in.
The score was won and lost multiple times by both teams during the game.
The final sequence involved a pass from Pryce Sandfort to Frager for the go-ahead basket.
Nebraska, the No. 4 seed in the South Region, secured its 28th win against 6 losses. Vanderbilt, the No. 5 seed, concluded its season with a 27-9 record. The game was held in Oklahoma City.
Key Player Contributions
Rienk Mast, a 6-foot-10 senior, was a significant contributor for Nebraska. Mast recorded 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. He recently recovered from a complex knee surgery involving a cartilage transplant from a cadaver, which forced him to miss the entire previous season.
Coach Fred Hoiberg acknowledged the invasiveness of Mast's procedure and his successful return to play.
Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg made several key plays, including a putback that tied the game late in the second half. Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner led all scorers with 27 points, showcasing a strong performance throughout the game.
Game Dynamics
Nebraska maintained composure despite Vanderbilt turning a 10-point deficit into a five-point lead with 5:34 remaining. Vanderbilt missed eight free throws during the game. Mast was noted for his leadership in timeout huddles.
Key moments in the final minutes included:
- Berke Buyuktuncel's basket for Nebraska.
- An AK Okereke three-pointer for Vanderbilt.
- Tanner's layup giving Vanderbilt a 72-70 lead.
- Mast's putback tying the game at 72 with 37 seconds left.
Aftermath and Next Steps
Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington expressed the difficulty his team would face in moving past the loss.
Nebraska will proceed to Houston for a Sweet 16 matchup against the winner of the game between No. 1 seed Florida and No. 9 seed Iowa.