Nebraska’s basketball season will continue in Las Vegas, as the Huskers are set to compete in the inaugural College Basketball Crown on March 31 against Arizona State. The 16-team, single-elimination tournament includes schools from multiple major conferences, including Big Ten rival USC, four teams from the Big East, and five from the Big 12. If Nebraska wins its opener, it will face the winner of Georgetown and Washington State in the second round.
For much of the season, the Huskers appeared positioned for a second straight NCAA tournament bid, but a five-game losing streak in February and March pushed them off the bubble. A home loss to Iowa to close the regular season ultimately sealed their fate, keeping them out of the Big Ten tournament and capping off a disappointing finish.
Now, in Las Vegas, Nebraska has an opportunity to end the year on a positive note. The tournament will also likely be the final games for seniors Brice Williams and Juwan Gary, two key players in the Huskers’ 2023-24 NCAA tournament run.
Head Coach Fred Hoiberg expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, saying, “We are excited to have an opportunity to continue our season and play in the first-ever College Basketball Crown. When we met as a team following the regular season, the players wanted a chance to continue playing. This has been a resilient group, and we are looking forward to a chance to play in the Crown.”
The last time Nebraska played in a postseason tournament outside of the NCAA tournament was in 2019, when the Huskers reached the second round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). This year, they will look to make the most of their chance in the new College Basketball Crown.
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