Kristian Ferrell
Nebraska basketball fans have had a turbulent relationship with March Madness. The Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team has had its fair share of successes and setbacks over the years, with the team making strides towards becoming a steady program under head coach Fred Hoiberg. Historically, Nebraska has appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments, but they have yet to win a game in the Big Dance, making them the only power-conference school without a victory. In 2024, the Cornhuskers were projected to make their eighth trip to March Madness, but their performance in the 2026 NCAA Tournament is already in doubt, as they are placed in the Next Four Out category. Despite the challenges, Nebraska has shown promise, with a strong finish to the 2022-23 season and a third-place finish in the Big Ten during the 2023-24 season, demonstrating that the team is on an upward trajectory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of appearances in March Madness | 8 |
| Number of appearances in the National Invitation Tournament | 19 |
| Record in March Madness | 0-8 |
| Record in the National Invitation Tournament | 24-18 |
| Year of first appearance in March Madness | 1986 |
| Seed in first appearance | No. 9 seed |
| Region in first appearance | Southeast |
| Opponent in first appearance | Western Kentucky |
| Result of first appearance | Loss |
| Number of consecutive years in March Madness (as of 2025) | 3 |
| Seed in 2025 | No. 10 seed |
| Region in 2025 | East |
| Opponent in 2025 | New Mexico State Aggies |
| Result in 2025 | Loss |
| Number of appearances in Big Dance | 7 |
| Number of appearances in College Basketball Crown | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Nebraska Cornhuskers' 2023-24 season
The Nebraska Cornhuskers had a positive 2023-24 season, finishing 3rd in the Big Ten and earning an 8th seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, their season ended with a first-round loss to Texas A&M, leaving them with a final record of 23-11, the second-best in program history.
The Cornhuskers' appearance in the 2024 NCAA Tournament marked their eighth trip to March Madness. Despite this, they were unable to secure their first-ever win in the tournament, falling to 0-7 all-time.
The 2023-24 season built on the positive momentum of the previous year, where the Cornhuskers won 5 of their last 7 games to finish with a .500 record at 16-16. This turnaround was notable as it followed three consecutive losing seasons under head coach Fred Hoiberg, who was hired in 2019.
Looking ahead, the Cornhuskers will aim to build on their successful 2023-24 campaign and continue their progress towards becoming a steady program. While they have shown improvement, they still face challenges, as evidenced by their absence from projections for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The women's basketball team also had individual successes during the 2023-24 season. All-America candidate Alexis Markowski earned four first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors, while also being named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Additionally, Prince, a high school recruit, had a standout season, averaging 27.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.9 steals, showcasing a bright future for the program.
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Nebraska's 2026 NCAA Tournament prospects
Nebraska has appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments, but has never won a game in the tournament. The team has had a rough couple of seasons, missing out on the NCAA Tournament and the Big Ten Conference Tournament. Early projections for the 2026 season place Nebraska in the "'Next Four Out'" category, indicating that they are on the outside looking in for the tournament. However, with new additions to the team, there is potential for improvement.
Freshman Fridrik Leo Curtis, a 7-foot-1-inch Iceland native, is one of the most promising prospects in college basketball. He possesses outstanding footwork and is a dominant defensive player, making him a vital piece under head coach Fred Hoiberg. Transfer Kendall Blue from St. Thomas-Minnesota and former Tulsa forward Jared Garcia are also expected to make an impact. Blue's athleticism and ability to create his own shots will be valuable assets, while Garcia's strong post-up game and effectiveness in the paint will be advantageous.
Nebraska's head coach, Fred Hoiberg, is entering his seventh season with the Cornhuskers. While his win percentage and record have fans questioning if a change is needed, he has made strides towards establishing a steady program. Hoiberg has rebuilt the team around key players and has the potential to lead Nebraska to success.
While early projections don't favour Nebraska, there is still time for the team to shift the narrative and improve their standing. With a new-look roster and promising additions, Nebraska has the potential to compete in the talented Big Ten. However, they will need to address their offensive inconsistencies and continue striving for wins to strengthen their prospects for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
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Nebraska's 2024 NCAA Tournament performance
Nebraska has had a challenging history in the NCAA Tournament, with a record of 0-8 across eight appearances. The team has a reputation for falling short in the first round, and their performance in the 2024 tournament was no exception.
In 2024, Nebraska made their second NCAA Tournament appearance in 25 years, entering as the No. 8 seed in the South region. They faced the No. 9 seed Texas A&M Aggies, a team they had not beaten since 2017. Despite a strong season, the Huskers were unable to break their losing streak in the tournament, falling to the Aggies with a final score of 98-83. Nebraska's players, including Brice Williams and Keisei Tominaga, put up a valiant effort, but they couldn't keep up with the Aggies' relentless offense, which included three players scoring 20 or more points.
The game against Texas A&M Aggies was a hard-fought contest, with Nebraska's players showcasing their skills. Brice Williams, a standout player, scored 24 points, while Keisei Tominaga added 21 points. Tominaga, a 6-foot-2 Japanese sharpshooter, had overcome physicality challenges in his first year at Nebraska and emerged as a key contributor. Despite their efforts, Nebraska struggled to keep up with the Aggies' well-rounded offensive performance, which included notable contributions from Wade Taylor IV, Manny Obaseki, and Tyreece Radford.
While Nebraska's 2024 performance maintained their winless record, it added to the team's rich history and provided valuable experience for future tournaments. The Huskers have shown resilience and a fighting spirit, and their fans continue to hope for a breakthrough performance in the coming years.
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Nebraska's 2014 NCAA Tournament appearance
Nebraska has a complicated history with the NCAA Tournament. The Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team competes as part of NCAA Division I, representing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the Big Ten Conference. The team has appeared in eight NCAA Division I tournaments and twenty other national postseason tournaments.
In the 2013-14 season, Nebraska reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998. Under head coach Tim Miles, Nebraska earned a bid to the 2014 NCAA Tournament after capturing the school's first Big Ten Tournament championship. This was the team's first appearance in the tournament in 16 years.
Nebraska entered the 2014 NCAA Tournament as the No. 10 seed in the East region. They faced the No. 7 seed and the No. 24 team in the country, the New Mexico State Aggies. Nebraska lost to the Aggies 93-79, failing to play a competitive game. This marked another year of disappointment for the Cornhuskers, who have yet to win an NCAA Tournament game in their history.
The Nebraska women's basketball team has also experienced success, earning 11 postseason tournament trips since joining the Big Ten for the 2011-12 season, including eight NCAA Tournament bids. In the 2014-15 season, Nebraska's four-player senior class became the most successful group in school history, advancing to four straight NCAA tournaments and posting four consecutive 20-win seasons.
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Nebraska's 2023 chances
Historically, Nebraska has appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments, but all ended in first-round exits. They have made the postseason eleven times, with their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1986. They have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament nineteen times, winning the tournament in 1996.
Nebraska's performance in the 2022-23 season looked to be the same as their previous losing seasons until the Huskers won 5 of their 7 final games to finish 16-16. This positive momentum carried into the 2023-24 season, where they finished 3rd in the Big Ten and earned an 8th seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, they lost in the first round to Texas A&M.
While Nebraska has shown improvement under head coach Fred Hoiberg, they have yet to make significant strides in the NCAA Tournament. Their performance in the 2023-24 season indicates that they are moving in the right direction, but it remains to be seen if they can break their streak of first-round exits in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Nebraska did not make it to the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, also known as March Madness.
No, Nebraska has not made it to March Madness in previous years. In 2025, Nebraska was left out of the NCAA Tournament and landed in the "Next Four Out" category of Joe Lunardi's Bracketology update.
March Madness is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball national championship tournament. 68 teams play in a single-elimination tournament to determine the champion.
March Madness takes place over several weeks in March and April, with the 2023 tournament beginning on March 14 and concluding on April 3.
