After Nebraska's win over USC on Saturday, the Huskers kept their chances for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament alive and well. However, before the Big Dance, NU needs to make some noise in the Big Ten Tournament. Fred Hoiberg and company got some good news on that front on Sunday afternoon, without playing a game.
The Huskers are well-positioned for a Top 4 seed in the Big Ten tournament. With the new format that allows every team in, those Top 4 teams get a "triple-bye." In other words, they get to sit back and watch other teams battle it out and wear themselves down in earlier rounds.
On Sunday, earning one of those top seeds became something Nebraska can clinch before its final game of the season. Currently sitting in second place with a 14-4 conference record, they're attempting to fight off Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois.
Nebraska basketball is one win from locking up a triple-bye and easing NCAA Tournament pressure
Despite an overtime loss to the Boilermakers last month, the Huskers still have the upper hand over Purdue, thanks to Ohio State. The Buckeyes logged a big 82-74 win that also put OSU squarely on the bubble.
More importantly, Nebraska now controls its own destiny. They still need to keep winning, but should they manage to knock off a UCLA squad that is scuffling a bit as the season winds down, NU will clinch a Top 4 spot and a triple-bye.
The 19-10 Bruins are fighting for their own Big Dance lives, so they won't go quietly. However, the Huskers and Fred Hoiberg have already beaten Mick Cronin and his crew the last time they met in 2024-25.
If Nebraska can beat the Bruins, the pressure to knock off Iowa in its final game eases up a bit. Granted, they'll still want to hammer the Hawkeyes both for revenge and to make a statement about their tourney chances. But they'd already be locked into a top seed in the Big Ten Tournament.