The year is 2014 and the Nebraska Cornhuskers Basketball team has just heard their name called for the NCAA tournament. It was the first time Nebraska had heard their name called for the tournament since 1998 under head coach Danny Nee. This time head coach Tim Miles did something that many other coaches never thought possible and that was make the NCAA tournament at Nebraska. Miles would have a couple more seasons with tournament aspirations but would fall short due to scheduling or injuries and eventually, he would lose his job and move on in the basketball world.
Fast forward to 2024 and Nebraska has just heard their name called for the NCAA tournament. This will mark the second time in the last 25 years that the Huskers have qualified for the NCAA tournament as an at large and for the first time in 10 years. How did they get here? After coach Miles was fired, Fred Hoiberg was hired to lead the team by then Athletic Director Bill Moos. Hoiberg won 7 games each of the first two seasons and the team also experienced a long Big Ten losing streak. Towards the end of the third season, one that saw Nebraska win 10 games, it appeared coach Hoiberg started to figure it out. Last season saw a change to the philosophy as coach Hoiberg started to get do everything defensive-minded players to surround his shooters and it saw Nebraska go 16-16.
Then there was this season, the coaching staff went out and secured transfers from winning programs who knew how to win. Those players were all older and experienced and could do a lot of different things. Those players were added to the returning players to form arguably the best Nebraska team ever and if they get a win in the NCAA tournament, which will be the first one in the history of the program, coach Hoiberg will reach legendary status on campus. It is easier said than done but this Nebraska team is built differently than the rest and the Huskers are a team that does look like they can win the game. These are things that they should focus on in their opening-round matchup with the Aggies.