Well, Good for Nebraska

If you were to rate my fandom for the Nebraska Cornhuskers athletic program, I’d call it casual. I’ve lived in the state of Nebraska over 30 years at this point, but I already had preexisting fandom and connections before moving here. So, I’ve never gotten too high or low when it comes to the Huskers.

Saying that, game recognizes game. The Cornhuskers men’s basketball team is having their best season ever. Coming in to this year, Nebraska had never won an NCAA men’s basketball tournament game. By winning one this year, the 2025–26 Huskers have etched themselves as the best team ever. They’ve won two games, cruising in their first-round game against Troy and winning a nailbiter in their second round against Vanderbilt. As I type this, they’re locked in a tight one with Iowa in the third round.

I’ve watched a few Nebraska games this year and I will say they’ve been a fun team to watch. They love to shoot threes, sometimes living and dying by it. When they’re living, they’re really living though. Generally, they’re a scrappy team. They play hard no matter the score. As a fan of sports, that’s all I can ask for.

I also have to give a ton of credit to Nebraska fans. Husker fans are known for being some of the most diehard, yet nicest fans in the country. I’ve shown up to Nebraska football games rooting for Washington and have been treated extremely well, all while being loud enough to make your ears crack. From the accounts I’ve heard from their games in Oklahoma City last weekend, Husker fans have been just as enthusiastic, making these neutral-site games seem like a road game for their opponents.

I no longer have a dog in the fight in this tournament. So, don’t mind me if I bandwagon Nebraska just a little. Hell, to paraphrase Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, might as well win the whole damn thing. They didn’t quite get there, falling to Iowa in the third round. Still, this was the best Nebraska men’s basketball team ever. Go Big Red!