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
