The Pryce, and so much more was right for Nebraska in historic program defining win

The nerves showed early for Nebraska as it struggled to hit its shots early in the program's first ever NCAA Tournament win. However, the Huskers turned to Pryce Sandfort, watched him hit some big shots, took a breath relaxed and roared to a blowout 76-47 victory over the Troy Trojans. 

In the process, a program that has been one of the more moribund basketball teams in the history of the NCAA might have changed its story forever. History was made in more than one way on Thursday. Yes, there was the monkey off the back of the Huskers with the first ever Big Dance win.

There was also the Nebraksa basketball history for most three pointers made in an NCAA Tournament game by Sandfort. He finished the game cooling off a bit. Though that was more about allowing his teammates to get into the fun. He still hit 7-of-13 shots, scored 23 points, hauled down 5 rebounds, had 2 assists and 2 steals.

Pryce Sandfort's record day powered Nebraska basketball's first ever NCAA Tournament win

In addition to Sandfort's record efforts, there was also the 27th win of the season (so far) which is also a school record. And what felt best about that number is that while Pryce was right all day long, there were plenty of other players who stepped up big.

Rienk Mast, the veteran leader of the Huskers didn't light up the scoreboard, but even if he only scored 11 points, he still led the way from the middle. He finished with 6 rebounds and a team high 7 assists, while also nabbing a steal.

There was the "glue guy," Sam Hoiberg who scored just 4 points in 32 minutes, but he also led the team in rebounds with 9 boards. That's impressive enough until you realize he tied Troy's Thomas Dowd's 9 rebounds. 

Hoiberg, the shortest guy on the court on Thursday, tied a Trojans player who averaged 10 rebounds per game this season. 

The most important thing for Nebraska, and the thing that this team has over every one that came before it, is that the win was a true team effort. There wasn't one guy who was on while everyone else was off all game. Everyone had a part in the blowout win. 

In the process, this version of the Nebraska basketball team showed a level of confidence that could carry it a long way. And in the process, every current and former Husker player and fan can hold their heads high and realize it's a new day in Lincoln.