Make that two NCAA tournament wins for Nebraska.
In front of a decidedly pro-Nebraska crowd in Oklahoma City, the 4th-seeded Cornhuskers won a 74-72 thriller over No. 5 seed Vanderbilt Saturday night with a Sweet 16 berth on the line.
They survived a near miracle heave from Vanderbilt at the buzzer after their own late go-ahead bucket to secure the win.
Vanderbilt had rallied from a 39-32 halftime deficit to take the lead late in a game where both teams traded blows down the stretch. But backup Nebraska guard Braden Frager delivered the final shot with a go-ahead layup with 2.2 seconds to secure the 74-72 lead.
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
NEBRASKA IS IN FRONT 😱 #MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/bHX87XMzCu
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2026
Vanderbilt had one last shot and almost delivered a miracle. But a 3/4-court heave by Tyler Tanner rattled in and out as the final buzzer sounded.
OH MY GOODNESS THAT ALMOST WENT IN! 🤯
NEBRASKA HOLDS ON 😱#MarchMadness@HuskerMBBpic.twitter.com/C8h63pSGLY
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2026
Nebraska advances to the Sweet 16 to keep its dream season alive. Vanderbilt’s season ends in heartbreak after one of the best games of the NCAA tournament.
The win for Nebraska its just its second ever in the NCAA tournament. Its first was on Thursday in the first round over Troy. The Cornhuskers were previously 0-8 in NCAA tournament play and the last power conference team without an NCAA tournament victory.
Now they’re two wins away from the Final Four and four from delivering an unlikely NCAA championship.
This story will be updated.