Texas A&M proves far too much for Nebraska as Huskers' NCAA Tournament drought continues
MEMPHIS — Nebraska owned a decisive advantage in fan support.
That was about the only advantage the Huskers enjoyed Friday night.
Texas A&M continued its late-season surge, burying Nebraska 98-83 in an NCAA Tournament first-round game in FedExForum.
The Aggies have won six of their last seven games to improve to 21-14.
Meantime, the Huskers, trying to win the program’s first-ever game in the Big Dance, finish the season 23-11. They started off the game well, leading 20-13 with 15 minutes left in the first half. But the Aggies’ advantage in overall athleticism began to show, and Fred Hoiberg’s team — trailing by 14 at halftime — never was a serious threat in the second half.
Wade Taylor IV led the winners with 25 points on 7-for-10 shooting from deep, and Manny Obaseki added 22.
Tyrece Radford poured in 20 for good measure.
As the game began, Nebraska’s crowd was loud and ready. The Huskers owned an estimated 8-to-1 advantage in fan support. It seemed like a factor that could push Hoiberg’s crew to a night of history.
Instead, A&M was far too much for Nebraska — which was led by Brice Williams with 24 points. Keisei Tominaga added 21 as he made 5-for-11 shots from three-point territory.
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Obaseki, Taylor lead A&M’s big first half
In the first half, Nebraska simply didn’t have many answers for Taylor and Obaseki, who had 17 and 19 points, respectively, at the break.
Texas A&M led 58-44 thanks largely to a 9-for-15 effort from three-point territory. Taylor hit 5-of-5 and Obaseki 3-of-4. What’s more, the Aggies, one of the nation’s best rebounding teams, owned a 23-15 advantage on the boards.
Tominaga was hot out of the gate, making three three-pointers in the first 4 1/2 minutes as Nebraska broke to a 17-13 lead.
Texas A&M eventually seized control, using a 10-2 run to lead 40-33 with 6:25 left in the half. That forced a Nebraska a timeout, as the Huskers’ defense and rebounding were sorely lacking.
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Major College Football Playoff implications
Nebraska was within 47-39 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first half, but A&M outscored NU 11-5 the rest of the half to lead by 14 entering halftime.
Obaseki, a 6-foot-4 junior, had all 11 of those points.
Nebraska in Big Dance for first time since 2014
Nebraska seemed flustered much of the first half. Keep in mind, the Huskers haven’t exactly been a fixture of March Madness.
The Huskers made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013-14 — a 14-point loss to Baylor — and their second since 1998.
They’re now 0-8 all-time in the Big Dance.
Hoiberg is the fourth Nebraska coach to take his team to the tournament. He joins Moe Iba (1986), Danny Nee (1991-92-93-94-98), and Tim Miles (2014).
Nebraska’s win total this season is the most for the program since the 1990-91 season, and ranks second on the program’s single-season win chart.
Juwan Gary is the only active Husker with NCAA Tournament experience, as he played in two tournaments during his time at Alabama, including the Crimson Tide’s 2021 run to the Sweet 16.
