Two things can be true at the same time. The Nebraska basketball team played its second absolute stinker in its last three games. That's a concern. However, it's also true that losing in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament not only doesn't mean much, but it might be the best outcome if the Huskers weren't going to win the whole thing.
Yes, that Purdue was running NU off the court from the very beginning is bad. That there was only about five minutes in the second half where the Huskers looked like they wanted to be there is worse. But in the grand scheme of things, the 74-58 loss doesn't change much. Including where Fred Hoiberg's squad will be seeded in the NCAA Tournament come Selection Sunday.
Over the last month, Nebraska has looked like a team that's feeling the wear and tear of a talented but short-handed group. Even with several days off thanks to the triple-bye, they looked tired again on Friday.
Nebraska basketball gets extra time to recover before the NCAA Tournament after a rough Purdue loss
If the Huskers really are worn down, playing Friday and then Saturday and then Sunday only to lose would be the worst outcome. Now, Nebrasketball can sit and wait until next Thursday at the earliest. If fatigue is playing a part, playing once a week should allow the Huskers to find their feet again.
Every Husker fan out there can agree that winning the first-round game in the NCAA Tournament is much more important than winning a quarterfinal game in the Big Ten tournament. Add in the old adage that games played after Thursday don't have much of an effect on the bracket, and the Huskers appear locked in to a 3-seed. Whoever they play will be a very beatable mid-major.
The struggle bus the Huskers have been on since late February shouldn't be ignored. Brade Frager, Rienk Mast, and Jamarques Lawrence have all taken their turns looking awful in various games. To some degree, the offense has become "Pryce Sandfort only," but there's something to the argument that the team was trying too hard to prove the doubters wrong. Perhaps the group was feeling the pressure of trying to make a run while also being worn out and banged up.
Now, Nebraska can sit back, take a breath, and approach the NCAA Tournament as a "second season." The only thing they need to do from here on out is score more than their opponents.