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Brooke Pryor
Multiple Authors
OKLAHOMA CITY – Braden Frager became motionless.
Just moments before, the Nebraska forward, a native of Lincoln, appeared to have secured a place in the historical records of his local team.
With the game deadlocked and merely nine seconds remaining, Frager received an assist from guard Pryce Sandfort, penetrated the key, and softly banked the ball off the backboard using his left hand. This basket put the Cornhuskers ahead 74-72 with 2.2 seconds on the clock, seemingly guaranteeing Nebraska’s advancement to its inaugural Sweet 16 appearance.
Subsequently, following a last-minute timeout, Vanderbilt’s guard, Tyler Tanner, secured the inbound pass, dribbled once, and launched the ball from mid-court. As the game clock showed 0.0, the basketball entered the hoop.
However, just as quickly as it went in, the ball bounced back out – prompting the spectators to erupt. Frager and his fellow players reacted with similar enthusiasm.
“My initial thought was that it had gone in,” Frager recounted. “I wasn’t sure how to respond, and then suddenly everyone around me began cheering. I then realized, ‘Right, he actually didn’t make it, so…’ “
Adjacent to Frager, while he recounted the event at the post-game platform, Sandfort provided his personal memory as his colleague continued to shake his head in astonishment.
“I nearly collapsed,” Sandfort expressed. “Being positioned off to the side, I couldn’t gauge the trajectory. But honestly, I’m just incredibly grateful to the Almighty for that outcome.”
Upon witnessing the ball eject from the hoop, Nebraska guard Sam Hoiberg emitted a deep, primal cry – though it was entirely drowned out by the thunderous noise of the spectators.
“My spirits plummeted the instant that shot appeared to go through, only for it to then come back out,” stated Hoiberg, who contributed eight points and six assists. “I believe it required a mere half-second for me to process that it hadn’t actually entered, and then I spontaneously shouted with joy. I genuinely believed it had scored.”
Narrowly avoiding devastation, Nebraska nevertheless endured to secure the team’s second-ever triumph in the NCAA tournament, following closely on the heels of their initial win only two days prior.
“That concluding attempt, honestly, it left me breathless,” commented Huskers coach Fred Hoiberg. “That young man [Tanner] possesses incredible skill, and as the ball ascended, my thought was, ‘Surely, that’s going in.’ It contacted every section of the hoop’s edge. Fortunately, it caromed away.”
With the Nebraska squad pouring off the sidelines, soaring and bounding across the court to embrace their teammates and mentors, supporters in the stands tossed popcorn as if it were celebratory streamers and displayed handcrafted placards declaring, “Sweet 16 Corn Season” and “GBR” (signifying “Go Big Red”).
Throughout the entirety of the 40-minute contest, the predominantly Nebraska-supporting audience remained standing, maintaining a ceaseless, fervent roar during the seesaw struggle.
“I’m certain the ambiance was spectacular on television,” remarked Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington concerning the environment. “It was an exceptional match. Of course, it’s disappointing to have been on the losing end. However, it was a top-tier game, and I’m convinced the spectators energized them and spurred them on – they truly played with immense effort.
“This stands as one of the most superior, or perhaps most challenging, settings I’ve ever coached within. Their supporters were phenomenal, exceptionally encouraging, and fervent.”
Upon the playing surface, the Huskers converged around forward Berke Buyuktuncel as he raised a massive Sweet 16 banner and waved it towards the assembly. Concurrently, Frager and a pair of teammates sprinted across the floor to embrace and commemorate with Kent Pavelka, who has been the radio announcer for Nebraska basketball for over five decades.
Subsequently, while Frager and Sandfort conducted a post-match interview with Pavelka, the remainder of the squad performed an expansive circuit of the venue to exchange high-fives with attendees and express gratitude to the supporters who had stood throughout two games, urging the Huskers toward two monumental wins. As the team circumnavigated Paycom Center, a resounding cheer trailed their movement, akin to an auditory ripple traversing the stadium.
After concluding their duties with the press, Frager and Sandfort embarked on their personal circuit, sparking a fresh surge of exultation.
“This sensation is extraordinary,” Frager remarked. “It would have been impossible without everyone here, every member of this team. Our audience was phenomenal. I believe they significantly propelled us forward in this endeavor, and that played a crucial role.”
Even with the team departing the playing area to yet another round of applause, the festivity persisted. While the venue’s DJ played “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas loudly, the Nebraska cheerleading squad initiated a conga line and capered on the court’s edge as the musical ensemble danced and captured images. Pavelka, still equipped with his headset, rose from his seat by the court, pivoted to confront the enthusiastic fans behind him, stretched out his arms, and swayed rhythmically to the tune alongside them.
The revelry was one appropriate for a national title, despite being merely a triumph in the second round.
However, for a program that had no NCAA tournament victories scant days prior, this represented an event worthy of commemoration – though not for an extended duration.
“Our flight home is scheduled for 11 o’clock in the morning,” Fred Hoiberg stated. “We’ll return, then reorganize. We’ll discover our next opponent after tomorrow’s match – I believe it’s Iowa or Florida – and immediately begin preparing, developing our strategy. We’re unsure if our game is on Thursday or Friday. From that point, we’ll proceed accordingly.”
