Nebraska Basketball Listed as Non-First Team in First ESPN Bracketology Release

Following their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2014, Nebraska men’s basketball It aims to repeat the same success in 2023-24.

But ESPN says the Huskers are the first team to bow out of March Madness Initial projections of the college basketball championship tournament, which was released Tuesday. Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi listed Nebraska as the ‘First Team Out’ in his opening mock picks, matching it with three other Big Ten Conference teams in Maryland, Wisconsin and USC.

The Big Ten Conference was heavily featured in the first round bracketology report, with nine programs included in the “Big Dance.” These included Purdue, UCLA, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Oregon, Rutgers, Ohio State, and Michigan State. Rutgers was listed as one of the “Final Four,” while Ohio State and Oregon received nods for the “Final Four Byes.”

Nebraska finished last season 23-11 with a solid 12-8 record in Big Ten Conference play. The Huskers advanced with a couple of key wins at home at Pinnacle Bank Arena: an 88-72 win over No. 1 Purdue on Jan. 9 and an 80-72 overtime win over No. 6 Wisconsin.

NU rebounded in the Big Ten Tournament, playing as a third seed and starting the tournament with two byes. Nebraska Beat Indiana 93-66 in their opening game, but lost 98–87 to Illinois in the Big Ten semifinals. The Huskers then lost their final game of the season 98-83 vs. Texas A&M In the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Huskers advance with elite scoring threat Keisei Tominaga, exhausted his eligibility in the offseason. Despite the successful season, Nebraska was forced to reload over the summer due to several transfers and injuries. Ramel Lloyd Jr., Eli Rice, Blaise Keita, Matar Diop, CJ Wilcher and Jamarques Lawerence transferred from Lincoln Rienk Pole He announced in May that he would miss the entire 2024-25 season due to injury and recovery.

Nebraska added key pieces with key roles and experience from different programs, including North Dakota State forward Andrew Morgan, Utah guard Rollie Worster, Rutgers forward Gavin Griffiths, Washington center Braxton Meah and Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian. Similarly, NU tailback Brice Williams, who averaged 13.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game a year ago.

The Big Red return two more starters, including Juwan Gary. Big Ten Coach of the Year Fred Hoiberg also returns, but will need some time to recover from surgery to replace his pacemaker.

The Crustaceans They recently announced Big Ten Conference The 20-game schedule begins with Michigan State on Dec. 7. The conference schedule also includes anticipated matchups with Big Ten newcomers UCLA, USC, Washington and Oregon, as well as trips to Purdue, Iowa, Maryland and Wisconsin in January.

Nebraska remains the only Power Five program in Division I men’s basketball without an NCAA Tournament win. Huskers season It begins on the streets of Lincoln on Friday, Oct. 4, as part of Opening Night fan-friendly activities next to the Railyard near Pinnacle Bank Arena. The event will begin at 7 p.m. CDT featuring both the Nebraska men’s and women’s basketball programs.

After an exhibition against Grand Valley State on Oct. 27, The season is starting On the men’s side, Texas will face Rio Grand Valley on November 4th.