Nebraska basketball history is being made. Not only have the Huskers won their first NCAA tournament game, but they have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time, and with a matchup against Iowa, a team they defeated a couple of weeks ago, they could make the Elite Eight. Some will say the Huskers got lucky against Vanderbilt with a no call for a double dribble by Lawernce and the last second Vandy shot rimming out. But it takes more than being a good team that is well coached to advance deep into the tournament. It takes luck and things going your way, and things are going Nebraska’s way so far.
This Nebraska basketball team has heart and character. They never give up and play until the very end. We’ve seen that all season. We also saw what kind of coach Hoiberg is in trusting his team enough to switch to a zone defense late in the game against Vanderbilt. The switch was effective. With Hoiberg’s leadership, a never-die attitude, a hungry team, and a little luck, it all adds up to this team having a chance.
With Hoiberg’s success, the big question as of late is, “Can Matt Rhule have the same success next season that Fred Hoiberg and his record-breaking squad have had?” I’d like to say yes because it isn’t unreasonable to think it could happen. I mean look at Indiana football and now Nebraska basketball. Saying, “Why not us,” in today’s sports world isn’t being naïve or dreaming.
But …… Yes, there it is, that dreaded word, but … let me remind you that both Indiana football and Nebraska basketball came off relatively successful seasons prior to making school history. Indiana went 11-2 and qualified for the CFP before going undefeated and winning the 2025 National Championship. The Husker round ballers went 17-14 before going on a four-game winning streak to win the first College Basketball Crown. What did the two teams have in common? They carried momentum and confidence into the next season.
Do I also need to remind you how Nebraska football finished their season. It’s hard to carry much optimism over after losing your last three games to Penn State 37-10, Iowa 40-16, and Utah 44-22. In those three games the defense gave up a total of 121 points while the offense averaged 16 points per game. There is absolutely nothing to get excited about in those numbers. And the words momentum and confidence do not apply.
Yet I won’t give up on Husker football. I’m a diehard fan who believes every year is the year. This one is no different. The roster has been improved. The coaching staff is dramatically better. Between the two, the scheme and attitude is different. Holgorsen can now be the offensive coordinator he wants, and call games as needed. Aurich will bring a new attitude to the Blackshirts with a mantra of Simple, Fast, and Violent. The players feel it and see it already. This will be a different team from what we saw at the end of last season. Will they be better than 6-6? That’s to be seen, and while eight to nine wins is possible, making the CFP would be a more than pleasant surprise. Whatever happens, I think we’ll see a team that resembles the Huskers of old as far as effort and aggressiveness.
Whatever pressure Rhule was feeling at the end of last season, Hoiberg and his team added to it, and each time the Huskers advance in the Big Dance adds more. Knowing Matt Rhule, he’ll be happy for Fred and the university, but behind closed doors he’ll grimace if the Huskers make an Elite Eight appearance.
Up until now, it’s been a quiet offseason and that’s been okay with Rhule. With the schedule, expectations are low. Rhule likes his team not being the center of attention. But eventually the spotlight will shift, and due to what Hoiberg has done, that spotlight will be behind a magnifying glass, making it even brighter and hotter. For Rhule, the pressure is greater and more intense than ever thanks to Hoiberg. Maybe that’s just what Rhule and Husker football needs.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
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