Nebraska broke its long March Tournament losing streak on March 19, 2026, defeating Troy 76-47 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Cornhuskers, a No. 4 seed in the South Region, got 23 points from Pryce Sandfort — including seven made 3-pointers — and a standout defensive performance that held Troy to a season-low shooting mark. The game played out amid a heavy Nebraska fan presence that turned the arena into a near-home environment. Nebraska improved to 27-6 and will face No. 5 seed Vanderbilt in the next round on Saturday.
Key Takeaways
- Nebraska defeated Troy 76-47 on March 19, 2026, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
- Pryce Sandfort scored 23 points and made seven 3-pointers; he had 17 points at halftime.
- Nebraska improved to 27-6 overall; Troy fell to 22-12 after winning the Sun Belt Tournament.
- Braden Frager and Jamarques Lawrence each scored 13 points; Rienk Mast contributed 11 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Nebraska.
- Troy shot 13-for-46 from the field (28.3%) and 8-for-28 from three-point range, a season-low opponent shooting performance.
- Longtime Nebraska radio voice Kent Pavelka, 76, was honored by players after the game and was present for the celebration.
- Nebraska will meet No. 5 seed Vanderbilt, who beat McNeese 78-68, in the South Region second round on Saturday.
Background
Nebraska entered the 2025-26 season with high expectations after opening the year on a 20-game winning streak and reaching as high as No. 5 in the AP Top 25. Yet before Thursday, the Cornhuskers carried an 0-8 March Tournament record as a member of a power conference, a drought that had become a focal point for the program and its fanbase. The South Region draw placed Nebraska as the No. 4 seed, and the matchup with 13th-seeded Troy offered both the chance to advance and to silence the narrative of March shortcomings. Troy arrived in Oklahoma City as the Sun Belt Tournament champion, bringing a 22-11 record into the game and expecting to extend its run.
The game’s venue amplified the moment: Paycom Center, which holds 18,203 for NBA games, sits roughly a six-hour drive from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. That proximity helped draw a large contingent of Husker supporters who made their presence felt throughout. Nebraska’s coaching staff and players had acknowledged the pressure to secure the program’s first NCAA Tournament win, framing the game as a milestone opportunity rather than a routine first-round matchup.
Main Event
Nebraska established control early. Sandfort opened the scoring barrage with multiple long-range makes and finished the half with 17 points as the Cornhuskers led 41-25 at intermission. Two quick back-to-back 3-pointers from Sandfort late in the first half helped push Nebraska’s advantage; his rhythm was attributed by teammates to timely passes and offensive positioning.
The second half saw Nebraska extend the margin behind balanced scoring and tight defense. Braden Frager’s two-handed fast-break dunk midway through the second half helped push the lead into the 20s, and a 3-pointer from Frager later increased the cushion further, prompting a Troy timeout as Nebraska fans reacted loudly. Troy’s offense struggled to find consistent looks; forward Thomas Dowd, who averaged 14.8 points entering the game, finished with four points on 1-for-11 shooting.
Defensively Nebraska limited Troy to 13-of-46 shooting (28.3%) and 8-of-28 from three, forcing contested shots and converting transition opportunities on the other end. After the final horn, players presented coach Fred Hoiberg with a game ball in the locker room in recognition of the program milestone, and several Nebraska players joined longtime radio broadcaster Kent Pavelka to celebrate the victory.
Analysis & Implications
The win carries both symbolic and practical weight for Nebraska. Symbolically, it ends a streak of NCAA Tournament losses that had become a talking point for critics and fans alike; practically, a decisive first-round victory preserves Nebraska’s opportunity to make a deeper run in the South Region. The manner of the win—dominant defense and timely 3-point shooting—addresses two areas that teams commonly emphasize as keys to postseason success.
Nebraska’s defensive effort was the defining factor: forcing contested attempts, limiting second-chance points and allowing Troy to convert at a season-low rate. Holding an opponent to roughly 28% shooting typically produces comfortable margins, and Nebraska translated stops into easy scoring opportunities and momentum. That on-court identity could carry forward against Vanderbilt, a No. 5 seed that scored 78 points in its first-round game but will now face Nebraska’s defensive pressure.
Individually, Pryce Sandfort’s shooting display provides the Cornhuskers with a perimeter scoring option that opponents must respect. Sandfort’s seven made 3-pointers came in part from well-timed ball movement and set plays designed to free him. If Nebraska can replicate the spacing and accuracy, it improves their matchup profile against teams that defend the paint strongly but are vulnerable on the perimeter.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Final | Field Goals | 3-Pointers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 76 | N/A | Sandfort 7 made 3s |
| Troy | 47 | 13-46 (28.3%) | 8-28 (28.6%) |
The numbers highlight the contrast: Troy managed only 13 field goals and shot roughly 28.3% overall, while Nebraska converted efficiently enough to build and sustain a large lead. Nebraska’s bench depth and contributions from role players—13 points apiece from Braden Frager and Jamarques Lawrence, plus Rienk Mast’s all-around line—helped diversify scoring beyond Sandfort’s shooting night. Against Vanderbilt, those distribution patterns and defensive metrics will be key indicators to watch.
Reactions & Quotes
Players and coaches framed the victory as both release and renewed expectation. Nebraska guard Sam Hoiberg noted the crowd’s influence and the team’s shared urgency ahead of the win.
“I knew it was going to be a home-court advantage for us…you could tell that was a desperate crowd, desperate for a tournament win, and we were a desperate team.”
Sam Hoiberg, Nebraska guard
Opposing coach Scott Cross acknowledged the sting of the loss while praising his players’ season-long achievements.
“It stinks, but I told our guys in the locker room, they’re not defined by this basketball game. They played an amazing team.”
Scott Cross, Troy coach
Coach Fred Hoiberg highlighted the historical context of the victory and the program’s need to maintain focus moving forward.
“Just really proud of these guys…Happy to get this win for the first one in the history of the program. But we can’t be satisfied.”
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska coach
Unconfirmed
- Exact attendance figure for the game was not provided in the game release; the Paycom Center’s 18,203 capacity is noted but actual turnstile count is unconfirmed.
- Long-term recruiting impact from this single tournament victory is speculative and not yet supported by verifiable commitments or public statements.
- Timing and details of Payton Sandfort’s travel to attend his brother’s game were reported but independent verification of arrival time is not available.
Bottom Line
Nebraska’s 76-47 win over Troy on March 19, 2026, ended a long-running NCAA Tournament drought and advanced the Cornhuskers to the South Region second round. The victory was notable for strong perimeter shooting from Pryce Sandfort and a defense-first effort that held Troy to a season-low shooting percentage. For Nebraska, the immediate focus shifts to Vanderbilt, where maintaining defensive intensity and balanced scoring will be crucial for continued progress in March.
While the result settles a historical narrative about first-round losses, the true measure of the season will be how Nebraska performs in subsequent rounds. Sustained defensive execution and the ability to recreate perimeter looks for shooters like Sandfort will determine whether this win is a turning point or simply a single bright moment in the program’s March history.
Sources
- CBS Sports gametracker recap (media game recap)
- AP March Madness bracket (news/official tournament coverage)
- AP March Madness coverage (news coverage)