Nebraska basketball had its first season in 1897 and since then has appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments, including the one the Huskers are currently in. In those first eight appearances, the Huskers' season always ended in heartbreak in the first round, as Nebraska has never won a game.
Now, in their ninth appearance in the tournament, the Huskers and their fans can finally celebrate and plan for the second round as Nebraska took down Troy in demolishing fashion, 76-47, in the first round. In a season of history for Nebraska, the Huskers continued the trend by winning their first tournament game in program hisotry and for some fans, it was a long time coming.
Nebraska radio announcer Kent Pavelka, who has been in the role for 41 years, finally got to see the Huskers win their first NCAA Tournament, and his call of the final seconds of the game is one that will bring not just Nebraska fans to tears, but every college basketball fan.
Replacement video because the other was taken down pic.twitter.com/7kR4YJVcra
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Kent Pavelka's call of the final second of Nebraska vs. Troy is something every basketball fan needs to hear
Pavelka has been waiting years to make the call of Nebraska winning an NCAA Tournament game, and when the tie came, he did it beautifully. Not only did Pavelka get to do it with the home team right by him, but the crowd was easily favored towards Nebraska, and the Big Red Nation was loud in the background.
The long-time Nebraska radio caller spoke about the years of heartache and waiting, not just by coaches and players, but by the fans as well. It even seemed like Pavelk became a little emotional when making the call, which, how he could not with all the Nebraska basketball he has watched.
"All of that is history now, and not being a part of it, you know, now, you don't have to go home and watch and dream," Pavelka said.
Nebraska doesn't have to dream anymore, as the dream has officially become a reality, but it doesn't end here. The Huskers now have a chance to go even further in the tournament with each win. Now the dream is of winning it all, and Nebraska fans are definitely holding onto that.