Quick Read
- Nebraska defeated Troy to secure their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, ending a historic 0-8 drought.
- Pryce Sandfort led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 7-for-12 from 3-point range to pace the Cornhuskers.
- Nebraska dominated the interior and second-chance points, outscoring the Trojans 26-10 in the paint.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Azat TV) – The Nebraska Cornhuskers decisively ended their long-standing NCAA Tournament drought on Wednesday, defeating the Troy Trojans in the first round of the 2026 tournament at the Paycom Center. The 27-6 Cornhuskers utilized superior interior play and a potent perimeter attack to dismantle the Sun Belt champions, concluding the contest with a commanding lead that silenced any hopes of an upset.
Dominant Performance by Nebraska
Nebraska’s victory was anchored by junior forward Pryce Sandfort, who delivered a game-high 23 points. Sandfort proved instrumental in the team’s offensive efficiency, shooting 7-for-12 from beyond the arc. The Cornhuskers’ strategy focused on exploiting the paint and capitalizing on turnovers, outscoring the Trojans 26-10 in the paint and 17-5 off turnovers. By the 6:50 mark of the second half, Nebraska had stretched its advantage to a game-high 30 points, effectively sealing the outcome.
Troy’s Struggle Against Big Ten Rigor
For the 22-12 Trojans, the matchup represented a significant step up in competition. Despite an early burst of energy that saw Troy take a 9-4 lead in the opening minutes, the team struggled to maintain that pace against Nebraska’s defensive pressure. Junior forward Victor Valdes led the Trojans with 14 points, but the team’s inability to control the glass proved costly. Nebraska secured 11 offensive rebounds in the first half alone, outscoring Troy 17-1 on second-chance opportunities, which prevented the underdogs from establishing a consistent offensive rhythm.
The Weight of Historical Precedent
Entering the game, the stakes were high for both programs, as each sought their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. While the betting markets were heavily divided, with many analysts favoring the underdog Trojans to cover the double-digit spread, Nebraska’s performance validated their status as a Big Ten powerhouse. The victory marks a pivotal shift for the Cornhuskers, who entered the postseason hungry to move past an 0-8 all-time tournament record.
The result underscores the widening performance gap between top-tier conference programs and mid-major champions when subjected to high-pressure, neutral-court environments. Nebraska’s ability to sustain defensive intensity while minimizing turnovers against a team reliant on halfcourt execution serves as a clear indicator of why consistent strength of schedule remains the primary differentiator in early-round tournament success.