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The selection committees for the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments invited drama with a couple of first round pairings between recent rivals. Both basketball brackets see Big Ten affiliate Nebraska taking on SEC opponent Texas A&M, which is significant for a few different reasons.
First, it renews a former Big XII rivalry that ended when each side opted to go their separate ways in conference realignment. More recently, though, it fans already fiery flames related to off-court thievery.
The Aggies swiped athletic director Trev Alberts from the Cornhuskers’ grasp just a week prior. They were able to do so despite Alberts having attended Nebraska, earning All-America honors as a member of the football team in 1993.
Many, including Husker coach Matt Rhule, were surprised by the departure.
“I loved [president] Ted Carter [who moved onto Ohio State], and I loved Trev, and I came because of them,” he said upon hearing the news.
But now, the AD is gone – getting acquainted with his new program in the Lone Star State.
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Officially introduced earlier this week, he takes over the role as the Aggies enter NCAA Tournament play. That includes both the men’s and women’s teams.
And wouldn’t you know it, Texas A&M landed the same opponent in both basketball brackets – Nebraska!
OMG the men’s AND the women’s tournaments BOTH have matchups between Nebraska and Texas A&M
the week after Nebraska’s AD left for Texas A&M
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 18, 2024
Trev Alberts will now be forced to sit and watch while his former university attempts to exact revenge on his current.
Coincidence, or a purposely vengeful act by the selection committees? We’ll never know!
No. 8 seed Nebraska will line up against ninth-seeded A&M on the men’s side while the sixth-seeded Huskers will battle the No. 11 Aggies in the women’s tournament.
Will the Cornhuskers get the last laugh or will Alberts come out smelling like roses?
The storyline just got a lot more interesting!