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The Nebraska Cornhuskers will play in the NCAA Tournament following a historic basketball season. Head coach Fred Hoiberg is doing what he can to ensure his team is supported.
The coach approved a day off for fans hoping to watch Thursday’s postseason opener. A number of Cornhuskers will play hooky, prioritizing hoops over a day at the office.
Nebraska won 26 games this year, tying a school high. Their 15 conference wins were a program best. Included in those victories were triumphs over Big Dance invitees Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Indiana, and Iowa.
As a result, it will be a four-seed in the March Madness field. The Cornhuskers will face Troy in their first-round matchup.
Nebraska basketball has never won an NCAA Tournament game.
It’s gone a combined 0-8 in previous appearances. They’ll look to buck the trend in 2026.
For that reason, it’s never been considered a basketball school. Football has always been the top priority. The tables have turned in recent seasons, though.
The Nebraska football team has five national titles, 43 conference championships, and 55 bowl appearances. It is one of the nation’s premiere brands.
Lately, however, success has proven elusive.
The Cornhuskers last won a national championship in 1997. Since joining the Big Ten in 2011, they’ve recorded just one 10-win season.
The program has not posted a league record above .500 in a decade. It’s had four different coaches since its conference realignment. It is undoubtedly trending down.
Basketball, however, has experienced a resurgence. In the 1990s, Nebraska went to five Big Dances. They then went bid-less 23 times over the next 24 years.
Fred Hoiberg was hired in 2019. He’s sparked a turnaround.
The head coach wants support.
His program is deserving of it. The Cornhuskers have now won 20 games in three straight seasons. This year has been the best.
Nebraska will play its first game of the NCAA Basketball Tournament in Oklahoma City this Thursday. Hoiberg encourages fans to make the four-hour trip from Lincoln.
He’s endorsed a hooky day in hopes of getting fans to the arena.
From the desk of Coach Hoiberg. pic.twitter.com/NL7EiRvxtl
— Nebraska Men’s Basketball (@HuskerMBB) March 16, 2026
A number of Nebraska fans have already reached out to their employers for PTO approval. The fanbase should be in full force for Game 1.
The team will need that support to reverse its NCAA Tournament curse. They’ll get an incredible opportunity to do so when facing the 13th-seeded Trojans.
The Cornhuskers are dancing, not working. Nebraska is officially a basketball school. Football has fallen behind.
Excitement for a national championship run is at an all-time high. Fred Hoiberg fueled the fire with his push for support ahead of March Madness.