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Nebraska Men's and Women's Basketball Teams Conclude Seasons, Compete in Tournaments

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Nebraska Basketball: Men's Sweet 16 Run & Women's Postseason Outlook

The Nebraska men's and women's basketball teams have concluded their regular seasons and participated in recent conference and NCAA tournament play. The men's team secured a high seed in their conference tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, while the women's team experienced both a regular season victory and a conference tournament exit, awaiting their postseason fate.

Nebraska Men's Basketball Team

Regular Season Victories

Against Indiana

On an unspecified date, the 10th-ranked Nebraska men's basketball team defeated Indiana 83-77 at Assembly Hall in a significant road victory. Nebraska trailed 39-30 at halftime, and Indiana extended its lead to 51-35 early in the second half. Nebraska then initiated a powerful 13-0 scoring run to tie the game, followed by a 16-1 run that resulted in a 75-66 lead with 3:41 remaining. The team secured the victory by converting 11 of 14 free throws in the second half.

Nebraska's record improved to 16-0 for the first time in school history, extending its winning streak to 20 games. Their Big Ten record became 5-0, marking its best start since the 1965-66 season.

  • Records: Nebraska's record improved to 16-0 overall and 5-0 in Big Ten play. Indiana's record fell to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play, marking their first home loss of the season.
  • Key Performers: Jamarques Lawrence led Nebraska with 27 points, scoring 16 in the second half. He made 8 of 13 shots, including five three-pointers, and contributed five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Other Nebraska players in double figures included Rienk Mast with 13 points, Pryce Sandfort with 12 points, and Braden Frager with 11 points. Lamar Wilkerson led Indiana with 32 points.
  • Milestones: This marked Nebraska's fifth consecutive win against Indiana and their second consecutive win at Assembly Hall. Rienk Mast achieved his 1,000th career rebound during the game.
Against Iowa

On Senior Day, the No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 84-75 in overtime, concluding their regular season on a high note.

  • Records: Nebraska's record improved to 26-5 overall and 15-5 in the Big Ten Conference. Iowa's record fell to 20-11 overall and 10-10 in the league.
  • Game Summary: Nebraska took a lead following a 7-0 run, which they maintained throughout regulation, extending it to 11 points in the second half. Iowa tied the game at 70-70 with 2.7 seconds left in regulation after Kael Combs made a game-tying three-pointer. In overtime, Nebraska scored first. Following another tie, Cale Jacobsen made a crucial three-pointer with 90 seconds remaining, giving Nebraska a 78-75 lead. Iowa subsequently missed two shots and committed two turnovers, allowing Nebraska to secure the victory.
  • Key Statistics: Nebraska shot 50% from the field and 10 of 27 from three-point range. In overtime, Nebraska was particularly efficient, shooting 80% (4 of 5), while Iowa shot 17% (1 for 6). Nebraska also made 20 of 27 free throws, compared to Iowa's 10 of 15.
  • Player Performances: Iowa's Cooper Koch and Kael Combs each scored 18 points. For Nebraska, Sam Hoiberg, Pryce Sandfort, and Cale Jacobsen each scored 15 points. Rienk Mast contributed 14 points. Jacobsen also recorded career highs with eight rebounds, and Hoiberg notched five steals.
  • Big Ten Tournament Seeding: This victory secured Nebraska the 2 seed in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, granting them a triple bye directly to the quarterfinals in Chicago. They were scheduled to play the winner of the bracket involving Purdue (7), Indiana (10), Northwestern (15), and Penn State (18).

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Preview

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (28-6, 15-5) were scheduled to play the Iowa Hawkeyes (23-12, 10-10) in the NCAA Men's Basketball Sweet 16, following Iowa's impressive advance after defeating a one-seed.

  • Game Details: The game was scheduled for March 26 at 6:20 PM CT at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX, broadcast on TBS/truTV.
  • Context: Regular season encounters between these two teams were closely contested, with leads changing hands frequently.
  • Tournament Stakes: Iowa sought to reach its first Elite 8 since 1987, while Nebraska aimed for its first ever Elite 8 appearance.
  • Team Statistics (via Sports-Ref):
    • PPG: Iowa 77.1, Nebraska 65.8
    • RPG: Iowa 34.9, Nebraska 34.5
  • Leaders (via Sports-Ref):
    • PPG: Pryce Sandfort (Iowa - 17.9), Rienk Mast (Nebraska - 13.5)
    • RPG: Mast (Nebraska - 5.8), Berke Buyutuncel (Nebraska - 5.4)
    • APG: Sam Hoiberg (Nebraska - 4.4), Jamarques Lawrence (Nebraska - 3.9)
    • FG%: Sam Hoiberg (Nebraska - 54.5%), Cale Jacobsen (Nebraska - 52.5%)
    • 3P%: Sandfort (Iowa - 41.0%), Sam Hoiberg (Nebraska - 39.5%)
  • Nebraska's Recent Performance (Prior to Sweet 16):
    • March 21: Won vs. Vanderbilt (N): 74-72
    • March 19: Won vs. Troy (N): 76-47
    • March 13: Lost vs. Purdue: 74-58
    • March 8: Won vs. Iowa: 84-75 (OT)
    • March 3: Lost at UCLA: 72-52

Season Milestones

As of the conclusion of the regular season, Nebraska's 26-5 record matched the program's most wins since 1990-91. Their 15-5 Big Ten record marked the most conference wins in school history and their best conference finish in the Big Ten era, tying for second place. The team was 15-0 when scoring at least 80 points this season and set a school record with 327 three-pointers made in a season.

Nebraska Women's Basketball Team

Regular Season Victory Against Indiana

On a Thursday night, No. 25 Nebraska secured a 78-73 victory over Indiana in a women's basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.

  • Records: Nebraska's overall record improved to 14-2 and its Big Ten conference record to 3-2. Indiana's record moved to 11-6 overall and 0-5 in conference play.
  • Game Summary: The game was tied at 53-53 heading into the fourth quarter. Nebraska then initiated a crucial 10-2 run to establish a lead, which they maintained to the end of the game.
  • Player Performances: Britt Prince led Nebraska with 20 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, 7 assists, and 1 turnover. Jessica Petrie contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds. Shay Ciezki was the game's high scorer for Indiana with 31 points. Zania Socka-Nguemen achieved a double-double for Indiana with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
  • Team Statistics: Nebraska shot 41.8% from the field and 38.1% from three-point range, outrebounding Indiana 38-32. Indiana shot 50.9% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range.

Big Ten Tournament First Round

Nebraska (12-seed) was defeated by Indiana (13-seed) 72-69 in the first round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament in Indianapolis, concluding their conference play.

  • Records: Indiana's record improved to 18-13, while Nebraska's record fell to 18-12. Indiana advanced to play 5-seed Ohio State in the second round.
  • Game Summary: Nebraska initially established a strong lead, extending it to 20 points in the second quarter. Indiana began to reduce the deficit significantly in the third quarter, initiating a 10-0 run to cut an 18-point deficit to eight points by the end of the quarter. The deficit was further reduced to three points early in the fourth quarter. Nebraska maintained a two-possession lead for five minutes but experienced a scoring drought with 2:44 remaining. Indiana then executed another decisive 10-0 run, taking their first lead of the game with 1:06 left. Amiah Hargrove scored a layup with 17 seconds remaining, bringing Nebraska within one point. After two made free throws by Indiana, Britt Prince and Logan Nissley missed potential game-tying three-pointers for Nebraska. Indiana concluded the game on a 12-2 run.
  • Key Statistics: Nebraska shot 41.8% from the field, including 5 of 22 from three-point range. Indiana shot 50.9% from the field, making 5 of 13 from deep.
  • Key Players: Amiah Hargrove led Nebraska with 23 points. Britt Prince contributed 20 points and eight assists. Jessica Petrie recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds. Shay Ciezki led Indiana with 22 points. Edessa Noyan achieved a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
  • Postseason Outlook: Nebraska's exit from the Big Ten Tournament meant the team would await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday at 7 p.m. CDT on ESPN to determine their postseason fate. ESPN's Charlie Creme had previously placed Nebraska among the "Last Four In." If Nebraska does not qualify for the NCAA Tournament, they are considered candidates for the WNIT.