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The words “instant classic” get thrown around pretty loosely nowadays. But Nebraska’s second-round win over Vanderbilt fit the bill.
In a high-octane matchup that never let up on the gas for the entire second half, the Cornhuskers found themselves trying to close a small gap against the Commodores. As the two teams traded buckets, with Tyler Tanner of Vanderbilt leading the way for both sides, it looked like Vanderbilt might be able to hang on to make its first Sweet 16 since 2007. But Braden Frager, off the bench, had other ideas.
With under five seconds remaining, Pryce Sandfort found a cutting Frager, who drove in and scored to make it 74-72. Coming out of a timeout, Tanner heaved a desperation shot from halfcourt to try to keep the Commodores’ season alive, which looked like it was going to fall before rimming out in a cruel death rattle for the Vanderbilt season.
It was a scene for the Nebraska-dominated crowd, which turned out in droves to Paycor Arena in Oklahoma City. It’s just the latest moment in what has been a magical season for Nebraska, which had never won a March Madness game coming into this year. Now, it’s dancing into the Sweet 16. And it just gained the experience of a lifetime in just the second round.
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Tyler Tanner nearly delivers an unbelievable game-winning shot from halfcourt, as his shot at the buzzer bounces off the backboard and off the rim before missing. Nebraska wins 74-72 and advances to its first-ever Sweet 16, winning only its second NCAA Tournament game ever.
This crowd is going wild. Braden Frager gives Nebraska a 74-72 lead on a driving layup with 2.2 seconds left. Vanderbilt calls a timeout and is going to need to drive the length of the court for a final shot.
Will Nebraska win its second-ever NCAA Tournament game in three days?
Nebraska briefly takes a 68-67 lead on a layup from Berke Buyuktuncel, but AK Okereke responds with a 3-pointer to put Vanderbilt back in front with 1:40 left. This game has been a banger so far.
This game has crazy energy right now. Tyler Tanner hits another 3-pointer to give Vanderbilt a 64-60 lead with 6:35 left in the second half, silencing the pro-Nebraska crowd.
There’s still plenty of time left in the second half, but this game feels like it’s in crunch time already. Tanner is up to 25 points. Braden Fager leads Nebraska with 13 points.
What a ridiculous play from Tyler Tanner, who steals the ball from Braden Fager before making a game-tying layup as he’s fouled. He misses the and-one free-throw for the lead, but he’s clearly the best player on the court right now.
Tanner has 22 points with two rebounds and three assists, along with a whopping four steals so far.
Vanderbilt cuts its deficit to 48-44 with 14:55 left after Duke Miles’ pull-up 3-pointer rattles in. Tyler Nickel is also heating up from distance, as he’s up to 10 points with three 3-pointers.
This one is shaping up to be a classic.
Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule made the trip to Oklahoma City to support the Cornhuskers:
Here’s a wide shot of the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, courtesy of Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. Nebraska fans have completely taken over the “neutral site.”
Apparently, there are so many Nebraska fans to have made the trip that there’s enough drove of fans outside the stadium at a nearby bar and restaurant:
Braden Frager’s layup misses as clock expires, but Nebraska takes a 39-32 lead into halftime behind its hot shooting start. The Cornhuskers are 6-of-10 from 3-point range already, including three makes from Rienk Mast.
Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner needs some help from his teammates in the second half. The first-team All-SEC guard has 15 points with two rebounds, two assists and three steals so far.
Nebraska’s glue guy hasn’t attempted a shot yet, but he’s heavily impacting the game so far. The son of coach Fred Hoiberg already has five assists and a steal.
The Cornhuskers have assisted on all 25 of their points so far, leading 27-19 with 5:06 left in the first half.
Star Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner is heating up. He’s up to eight points on the night after slamming home a transition dunk. Nebraska still leads 16-10, although the Commodores are starting to settle in after the Cornhuskers’ hot start.
Nebraska takes a 14-4 lead after Jamarques Lawrence converts the 3-point play on an and-one layup. Rienk Mast has also hit two 3-pointers already, and this crowd is certainly playing a huge role in the Cornhuskers’ energy right now.
Rienk Mast hits a 3-pointer, and the heavy pro-Nebraska crowd erupts in Oklahoma City. There’s an absolute sea of red in the standings, despite being a few states away.
The Cornhuskers lead 8-0 early.
Nebraska and Vanderbilt are underway in Oklahoma City, and the Cornhuskers immediately get on the board courtesy of a 3-pointer from Berke Buyuktuncel.
Tipoff for Nebraska-Vanderbilt has been pushed back to 9:02 p.m. ET, 17 minutes later than originally scheduled.
Bing told The Tennessean in May 2025 he had never seen an episode of “Friends,” despite sharing a name with one of the shows stars, played by Matthew Perry.
“My parents weren’t even thinking about the show,” Bing told The Tennessean. “My mom has seen the show, but when they were naming me, I guess she didn’t watch it that much, wasn’t even thinking about that.
The 6-6, 215-pounder out of Atlanta is averaging 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds.
Yes, he’s his son. While Fred was known for his 3-point shooting, Sam is a nuisance on defense and earned votes for Big Ten’s defensive player of the year, which went to Michigan center Aday Mara.
Sam averages 9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 4.3 apg.
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