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Nebraska Basketball: Beating TCU will mean rematch with Creighton

ByChris Peterson|
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 15: Nebraska Cornhuskers guard James Palmer Jr. (0) dribble the ball in action during a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Wisconsin Badgers on March 15, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 15: Nebraska Cornhuskers guard James Palmer Jr. (0) dribble the ball in action during a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Wisconsin Badgers on March 15, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Nebraska basketball is back on the floor in the NIT tonight and a win over TCU would set up an interesting rematch with Creighton.

As if Nebraska basketball needed even more motivation to win tonight in the second round of the NIT at TCU, the Huskers got even more Friday night, when Creighton advanced to the quarterfinals.

That’s because if the Huskers who play the Horned Frogs of the Big 12 tonight at 8:30 PM CST, win, they will also move to the quarterfinals and will take on their arch rival for a trip to Madison Square Garden and the NIT semifinals.

It’s been over a decade since the Huskers have gone to New York in the NIT and even if fans are disappointed by not making the NCAA tournament, it’s hard not to get excited about seeing your team play at the mecca of basketball.

While this Nebraska basketball team has had to deal with rumors about their head coach getting fired and who the new head coach will be, their play has been strong. The Huskers have won four of five games and bring plenty of momentum against TCU, the top seed in the bracket.

Motivation is always a key factor in the NIT and who knows how motivated TCU will be after many thought it was going to make the NCAA’s. The Horned Frogs didn’t but responded with a solid win over Sam Houston State.

Nebraska though is a much better team than that. James Palmer, Glynn Watson Jr., and Isaiah Roby have been playing outstanding and if that continues, the Huskers are going to be a tough team to knock out.

TCU is a solid team with 23 wins lead by head coach Jaime Dixon. Desmond Bane, Alex Robinson and Kouat Nai are all averaging 12 points per game or more, however, in the Kenpom rankings, the Huskers actually rank higher at 43rd compared to TCU which ranks 49th.

Nebraska has a strong offense and if the Huskers can put together a solid outing on the road, which hasn’t always happened this season, the Tim Miles era could be extended for another game and then, it would give him one last chance to take on the team he could never beat.

It wouldn’t save his job, but it should bring some sweet satisfaction. First, though, the Huskers have to get through TCU but if they can do that, the Big Apple seems well within reach.

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