Nebraska Basketball: Despite mixed results, this weekend was a lot of fun

Feb 14, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Izaiah Brockington (12) and Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Derrick Walker (13) fight for possession of the ball during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Nebraska defeated Penn State 62-61. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Izaiah Brockington (12) and Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Derrick Walker (13) fight for possession of the ball during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Nebraska defeated Penn State 62-61. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nebraska basketball had a very fun weekend.

What a weekend for Nebraska basketball, huh? After taking Top-10-ranked Illinois to overtime on Friday night, they finally got their first conference victory in a little more than a year on Sunday against Penn State.

Even with the loss on Friday, these two games were extremely competitive, and it showed that this team certainly has no quit in them. Obviously, a loss is a loss in the standings department and moral victories get tiring after a while.

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However, it is for that very reason that this weekend was so important for Nebraska basketball. It seemed like they kept digging deep over the course of the last two games.

This weekend showed me that this team has zero quit. Even as their record sits at 5-12, they continue to go out there and battle. Especially when you consider how tough their conference opponents are, that can be easier said than done at times. Within these last couple of games, there have been a trio of players who I thought have really showed themselves and what they can do.

Derrick Walker, Lat Mayen, and Eduardo Andre would be those three names. I was particularly impressed with the play of Mayen on Friday. He came up with a couple of big three-point shots to keep Nebraska in the game against a tough Illinois team.

Walker had his fingerprints all over Friday and Sunday’s games, and really has provided a spark for this program.

For his part, Andre has shown tremendous promise in limited minutes. His size and his ability to clog up the paint will be an asset, particularly as he develops more.

I was at the edge of my seat all weekend, as I watched this Nebraska basketball team play. They played hard and they fought hard. That’s exactly what I wanted to see out of this program, particularly as the schedule advances. They need to be ready for the Big 10 Tournament. Do I think they will win the entire tournament? Absolutely not. However, with the way they have played lately, it could make for a fun couple of days for Nebraska basketball.

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This team has no quit, and this weekend showed that. I never know what to expect when I tune into a Nebraska basketball game. Fortunately, this weekend churned out a lot of positives. Hopefully, the program will be able to build on them, and continue to make positive progress. This program is on the cusp of good things.