Longtime Nebraska radio announcer has emotional reaction to Huskers' first-ever NCAA Tournament win originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers have had their best Thursday in recent memory.
The team finally won its first NCAA Tournament game in program history. While this is a huge feat for the team, the happiest person in the Paycom Center may not have even been on the hardwood.
Longtime Nebraska basketball announcer Kent Pavelka commentated the team's games on the radio for 41 years, and he finally got to watch the unfortunate streak end. During the final 10 seconds of Nebraska's 76–47 victory over Troy, Pavelka’s call of the winning moments was recorded.
Here's a look at Pavelka's reaction to Cornhusker history.
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Nebraska radio announcer's reaction to Huskers' first-ever NCAA Tournament win
Pavelka, who has been announcing Cornhusker basketball for 41 years, finally got to watch his team win its first NCAA Tournament game. Here is Pavelka's reaction, which was coated in relief that the drought had finally ended.
41-year Nebraska basketball announcer Kent Pavelka’s (@KentPavelka) call of the final seconds as he witnesses Nebraska’s first ever NCAA Tournament win pic.twitter.com/gEX5tmrdy1
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 19, 2026
The longtime announcer sat front row to watch Cornhusker history. Pavelka reminisced about past troubles in watching the team consistently get sent home in the conference title. Now, Pavelka can retire saying he got to watch a Cornhusker win at the Big Dance.
“There’s the game! Nebraska’s first NCAA win in history in Oklahoma City over the Troy Trojans. It’s all over,” Pavelka said.
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How long has Kent Pavelka been announcing Nebraska basketball games
Pavelka has announced Cornhusker basketball games for 41 years. The longtime commentator began delivering play-by-play for Nebraska basketball in 1974.
Pavelka continued until 1997, but was brought back for the 2006 season. Since then, he has been a staple in Nebraska basketball and has been calling every game since.
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How many years did it take Nebraska to win an NCAA Tournament game?
While the NCAA Tournament started in 1939, Nebraska's first bid came in 1986. Their first win across appearances took 40 years, when the streak ended during the 2026 tournament against the Troy Trojans.
The Cornhuskers were winless in their 1986, 1991-1994, 1998, 2014, and 2024 appearances in the tournament.
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Nebraska NCAA tournament history
On Thursday, the Cornhuskers won their first NCAA Tournament game in 40 years. Here is a complete look at Nebraska's tournament history.
| Year | Seed | Coach | Opponent | Result |
| 1986 | 9 | Moe Iba | Western Kentucky | L 67-59 |
| 1991 | 3 | Danny Nee | Xavier | L 89-84 |
| 1992 | 8 | Danny Nee | UConn | L 86-65 |
| 1993 | 10 | Danny Nee | New Mexico State | L 93-79 |
| 1994 | 6 | Danny Nee | Penn | L 90-80 |
| 1998 | 11 | Danny Nee | Arkansas | L 74-65 |
| 2014 | 11 | Tim Miles | Baylor | L 74-60 |
| 2024 | 8 | Fred Hoiberg | Texas A&M | L 98-83 |
| 2026 | 4 | Fred Hoiberg | Troy | W 76-47 |