New angle of Braden Frager’s game-winner proves Nebraska fans turned OKC into PBA

Nebraska fans have never had to buy a ticket to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament before, so it seems they all had enough money saved up to make the trip to Oklahoma City on Saturday night. Those who did make the trip 6.5 hour drive south from Lincoln to Paycom Arena certainly got their money’s worth. 

After securing the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win on Thursday, the Cornhuskers survived a thriller on Saturday night. They held on to beat Vanderbilt 74-72 on the back of a game-winning layup from freshman Braden Frager and a half-court heave at the buzzer from Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner that nearly went down to spoil the party. 

While it was apparent from all the red in the arena and the staggering decibel readings throughout the night, Frager’s go-ahead score with 2.4 seconds remaining revealed just how completely Husker fans took over OKC and turned Paycom into Pinnacle Bank Arena. 

The alternate angle posted to social media by Eli Rodriguez, a Nebraska broadcaster and beat writer, perfectly captured the energy of the Husker fans in attendance. 

The Nebraska takeover in Oklahoma City was real

As a No. 5 seed, Nebraska didn’t get its pick of a first-round site, but that didn’t stop the fanbase from travelling to OKC. That’s a close location, but not as favorable as Missouri, the No. 10 seed in the West Region, playing in St. Louis. Yet, even Mizzou fans didn’t occupy as much real estate in Enterprise Arena as Husker fans did in Paycom. 

The Huskers had a serious home court advantage, and while that can add some pressure in a neutral site, it created the perfect environment for a postgame celebration for Frager and Sam Hoiberg, who were the two heroes of the win. Hoiberg, on his 23rd birthday, scored a key bucket on a putback late in the second half. The two made sure to soak in the moment with the fans, making their rounds like they would at a home game. 

After knocking off Vanderbilt, Nebraska will head to Houston for the South Regional with Houston, Illinois, and either Florida or Iowa, who play on Sunday. The Huskers will play either Florida or Iowa, but regardless of who they draw in the Sweet 16, it could be tough to replicate the OKC takeover in Houston with the Cougars in their own backyard. Still, I’m sure plenty of Husker fans will be making the trip.