Nebraska earns first NCAA tournament win with storybook ending OKLAHOMA CITY — With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg made a strategic move by substituting in junior forwards Pryce Sandfort and Berke Buyuktuncel, allowing them to soak in the moment as the Huskers secured their first-ever NCAA tournament victory. The No. 4 seed Nebraska team dominated No. 13 seed Troy with a 76-47 win, marking a historic milestone for the program after eight previous appearances in the Big Dance without a win. The crowd erupted in celebration, honoring the players who helped achieve the breakthrough, while the team’s bench emptied for a joyous embrace as they set a new single-season win record with 27 victories. The victory was a culmination of seven years of effort under Hoiberg, who faced three consecutive losing seasons from 2019 to 2022. After a 16-16 campaign in 2022-23, Nebraska rebounded with three straight seasons of at least 20 wins, including two NCAA tournament berths. This win solidified their place in tournament history, as they became the only major conference team without a prior tournament victory. The 29-point margin of victory also ranks among the largest in NCAA history for a team’s first-ever win, surpassing Fordham’s 31-point margin in 1971. Pryce Sandfort, the game’s leading scorer with 23 points, carried the Huskers with seven 3-pointers, including a career-high performance in the tournament. His 17 first-half points helped Nebraska overcome a slow start from Troy, as the team’s offensive rhythm took control. Sandfort’s efforts were highlighted by a surprise appearance from his brother, Payton Sandfort, who made his NBA debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder the night before.#nebraska #oklahoma_city #troy #fred_hoiberg #pryce_sandfort
Texas A&M Faces Saint Mary's in NCAA Tournament Clash Texas A&M secured its NCAA Tournament berth with a strong finish to the regular season, highlighted by victories over Kentucky and LSU, bringing their record to 21-11. Despite inconsistent performances throughout the year, first-year head coach Bucky McMillan and his veteran roster, composed largely of transfer portal additions, earned an unexpected invitation to the tournament. The Aggies’ loss to Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament second round, by a 20-point margin, actually benefited their seeding, earning them a 10-seed and a matchup against seventh-seeded Saint Mary's in Oklahoma City. The Aggies’ path to the tournament included a notable 2016 March Madness appearance, where they staged a historic comeback against Northern Iowa in Oklahoma City. For McMillan, this marks his second NCAA Tournament appearance, following his successful run with Samford in the 2023-2024 season, where his team nearly upset Kansas. However, Texas A&M faces a daunting challenge against Saint Mary's, a team featuring three players listed at 7 feet tall. The Gaels’ size could dominate the paint, forcing the Aggies to rely on their three-point shooting for success. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, who released predictions for all NCAA Tournament games, highlighted Saint Mary's as a formidable opponent. Bilas noted the Gaels’ efficient half-court offense, which emphasizes inside scoring and free-throw accuracy, as a significant threat to Texas A&M’s press defense and inconsistent offensive output. “This is a stark contrast in styles,” Bilas said. “Texas A&M wants to get up and down the floor, press, and be annoying, but Saint Mary's will slow the game down. It seems different to take Saint Mary's here and call it chalk, but the Gaels will be a problem.#oklahoma_city #saint_marys #texas_amg #bucky_mcmillan #james_bilas
Vanderbilt earns No. 5 seed in NCAA Tournament Vanderbilt men’s basketball has secured a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to Oklahoma City for the opening weekend of the event. The Commodores will compete in the South region as they begin their March Madness journey on Thursday. Their first-round matchup is set against the 12th-seeded McNeese State team at the Paycom Center, with the game scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m. on TruTV. The Commodores enter the tournament with a 26-8 record for the season, matching the school’s record for the most wins before an NCAA Tournament appearance. This achievement ties them with the 2007-08 and 1992-93 teams in this regard. The squad is making its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and its 17th overall in program history. The No. 5 seed marks the highest ranking Vanderbilt has received since the 2012 tournament. The team’s success this season has positioned them as a strong contender in the South region, where they will face challenges from lower-seeded opponents. Their tournament run will be closely watched, as the Commodores aim to build on their recent performance and continue their tradition of competitive basketball.#ncaa_tournament #vanderbilt #oklahoma_city #south_region #mcneese_state
Isaiah Joe Shines Off Bench with Strong Performance Isaiah Joe contributed 20 points, shooting 8 of 14 from the field and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc, along with four rebounds in 21 minutes during Oklahoma City's 116-103 victory over Minnesota on Sunday. His efficient scoring helped the Thunder secure the win, showcasing his ability to make an impact in key moments. Joe has continued to be a reliable contributor off the bench for the Thunder. Over his last six games, he ranks just inside the top-200 players in nine-category fantasy formats. His averages of 12.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers per contest in 25.8 minutes highlight his consistent production. His ability to stretch the floor and finish at the rim has made him a valuable asset in the team's rotation. The Thunder's success in recent games has been bolstered by players like Joe, who consistently deliver when called upon. His performance against Minnesota was a testament to his role as a key bench player, providing both scoring and rebounding. As the season progresses, Joe's contributions could be crucial in maintaining the team's competitive edge.#minnesota #nba #thunder #isaiah_joe #oklahoma_city
Cold front moves in as storms weaken Severe storms swept across central and eastern Oklahoma, with tornadoes confirmed in multiple areas, including the Tulsa metro region. The News 9 weather team reported damage in Bristow and Beggs, Oklahoma, as tornadoes moved through the region. Storm trackers Val and Amy Castor captured footage of a tornado forming near Bristow on Friday evening, while another was observed in Bellevue around 5:30 p.m. Authorities confirmed two fatalities in Okmulgee County following a tornado on Friday. Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddie Rice stated the deaths occurred but provided no details about the exact location or circumstances. Governor Kevin Stitt urged residents to remain weather-aware, noting state agencies were actively responding to storms in Green Country as they persisted into the night. A Tornado Warning remained in effect for Seminole County until 6:45 p.m. The storm system also impacted Major County, where overnight tornadoes killed two people, including a mother and her daughter whose vehicle was struck by what authorities believe was a tornado. Early reports indicated six to seven tornadoes touched down overnight, with one near Fairview, Oklahoma, causing the fatalities. Emergency crews described the damage in Major County as concentrated near the Cimarron River, though officials noted no homes had been confirmed as damaged at that time. Power outages were reported across northwestern Oklahoma, with approximately 150 customers in Major County without electricity following the storms. While power had been restored north of Chester, crews worked to address outages in other affected areas. News 9 storm tracker Jeromy Carter documented a tornado touching down near Fairview on Thursday night.#oklahoma #oklahoma_city #news_9 #okmulgee_county #tulsa_metro_region
Severe Weather Threatens Central and Eastern Oklahoma Overnight Central and eastern Oklahoma are under threat of severe weather, including potential tornadoes and thunderstorms, as a cold front moves into the region overnight. The National Weather Service has issued alerts for these areas, warning of hazardous conditions that could develop late Friday and continue into early Saturday morning. KOCO 5 Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane explained that storms are expected to intensify as the cold front approaches, with the highest risk for tornadoes concentrated in far southern Oklahoma. While the likelihood of tornado formation remains relatively low, the potential for damaging winds and large hail is significant. Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph, and hail the size of quarters may fall across areas from Stillwater to the Oklahoma City metro region. Storm activity is anticipated to peak between 1 and 2 a.m., affecting regions from north of Chickasha to Oklahoma City, Edmond, Guthrie, and Chandler. These storms are expected to subside by 1 to 2 a.m., with additional rainfall and hail possible in southern and southeastern Oklahoma. The cold front’s arrival on Saturday is also likely to bring a few showers, followed by a sharp drop in temperatures. Temperatures are projected to fall to the mid-30s to low-40s by 7 a.m. Saturday, with high temperatures in central Oklahoma reaching the upper-50s later in the day. Sunday morning will remain chilly, with temperatures in the 30s for most of the state by 8 a.m., though conditions are expected to warm up by midweek, with Oklahoma City seeing temperatures around 70 degrees. The weather service warns that the next round of severe weather could return as early as Tuesday, with the potential for another round of storms.#national_weather_service #oklahoma_city #koco_5 #damon_lane #chickasha
