March Gladness
No, an N.I.T. bid is not the kind of thing most sports fans get juiced about (and forgive me for talking Husker basketball instead of football), but I can't help but get excited by the Huskers chances in the post-season tournament.
The Huskers are an 8-point favorite at home in the opener against Charlotte and seem likely to face Mississippi in the second round. You have to like the Huskers chances in that one too, which would set them up to face a Virginia Tech team that easily could be playing in the NCAA tournament (if a less-deserving team like Arizona hadn't snuck in).
That would be a tough match-up for NU but considering how well the Huskers were playing down the stretch against quality teams, you'd have to think they have a shot. If the Huskers got by Va. Tech, it would likely send them to the Final Four in New York against Ohio State. Then win or lose the possibility exists for a real interesting matchup. A win over Ohio State would put Nebraska in the Championship game where they could face last year's national champion Florida or in-state rival Creighton (though as I write this Creighton's about to get bounced in the first round). Since the N.I.T. has a consolation game (doesn't that seem redundant?), those same matchups could happen in the battle for third place.
In any case, it would seem well worth watching even if it only means you're the 66th best team. As for the big tourney, the Big 12 could make some noise. KU looks like a championship contender, but Bill Self has yet to make a Final Four. Texas could easily benefit from playing every Sweet-16 game on in their home state. OU is favored over St. Joe's and A&M gets a BYU squad that doesn't like to travel. Then KSU gets to play in what will probably be the most entertaining opening round game as they face USC in Omaha. Expect NBA scouts to be on hand for that one.
For a football state, there should be plenty of good basketball to be enjoyed in the days and weeks ahead.
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