Nebrasketball’s Bubble Gets Popped in Double Overtime at Ohio State

It was a game that had the potential to make or break Nebraska’s postseason dreams, but instead, the Cornhuskers saw their hopes dashed in agonizing fashion as they fell to Ohio State in double overtime, 89-85. In a thrilling Big Ten matchup filled with heart-pounding moments, Nebraska’s NCAA Tournament bubble burst in a brutal fashion. The Cornhuskers had fought hard throughout the season to stay relevant in the conversation for an at-large bid, but a loss on the road against Ohio State in such dramatic circumstances proved to be their undoing. As the final buzzer sounded, Nebraska was left to rue missed opportunities and a heartbreaking defeat that left their postseason hopes in tatters.

A Crucial Matchup with Postseason Implications

Nebraska entered this game with an understanding that their NCAA Tournament hopes were hanging by a thread. With a record just above .500 and a string of notable victories under their belt, the Cornhuskers were in the thick of the bubble conversation. Their resume was solid, but with the Big Ten being one of the most competitive conferences in the country, every game mattered.

For Nebraska, this game was not just another regular-season matchup. It was, in essence, a must-win affair. Ohio State, meanwhile, wasn’t in quite the same dire situation, but they were still hoping to secure a respectable seed for the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes had shown flashes of brilliance but had been inconsistent throughout the year, and they too needed a strong finish to the regular season.

The atmosphere at the Value City Arena was electric, with both teams knowing how much was on the line. The home crowd was behind Ohio State, but Nebraska, led by head coach Fred Hoiberg, was ready to face the challenge head-on.

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half of the game was a tale of two teams trying to impose their will on each other. Nebraska came out strong, with their offense clicking early. They played with a sense of urgency that reflected the importance of the game. Senior guard Sam Griesel was especially effective, driving to the basket and creating plays for his teammates. His ability to get to the rim and make plays for others was on full display early, helping Nebraska build a small lead.

However, Ohio State wasn’t going to roll over. The Buckeyes quickly adjusted, leaning on their freshman star, Brice Sensabaugh, who had become one of the team’s most dangerous offensive threats. Sensabaugh made his presence felt with back-to-back three-pointers that cut into Nebraska’s lead. The Buckeyes’ defense also started to tighten, and they found their rhythm offensively as well.

As the first half wound down, the game became more physical, and both teams traded baskets. Nebraska’s defense had been solid all season, but the Buckeyes were able to exploit a few gaps, particularly in transition. By halftime, the score was knotted up at 38-38, and both teams were clearly aware that this would be a game that would likely come down to the final minutes.

The First Overtime: A Wild Finish

With the game tied at the end of regulation, the tension in the arena reached a fever pitch. For Nebraska, this was their opportunity to take control of the game and secure a crucial win. But the Buckeyes weren’t going to let them have it easily. Both teams came out in the first overtime looking to establish dominance, but the stakes were so high that every possession felt like it could decide the game.

In overtime, Nebraska seemed to have the edge. They had some key stops on defense, and Griesel once again led the charge on offense. However, Ohio State showed incredible resilience. With time ticking down in the extra period, Roddy Gayle Jr. hit a clutch three-pointer that tied the game once again. The crowd erupted as the Buckeyes extended the game beyond the first overtime.

Nebraska had their chances in the closing moments of the first overtime. Juwan Gary, who had been one of the Cornhuskers’ most reliable players throughout the season, had a couple of looks at the basket but missed key shots that could have given Nebraska the win. As the buzzer sounded, both teams were forced to prepare for yet another five minutes of basketball.

The Second Overtime: A Heartbreaking End

The second overtime was nothing short of gut-wrenching. With both teams exhausted and emotions running high, the intensity was palpable. Nebraska’s players seemed to run out of gas, and the toll of playing so many minutes against a team like Ohio State started to show.

Ohio State’s depth proved to be a key factor. The Buckeyes were able to rotate fresh bodies in and out of the game, keeping their energy levels high as they pressured the Cornhuskers. The pivotal moment came when Zed Key, the Buckeyes’ powerful center, hit a crucial basket and then followed it up with a key rebound in the final seconds. His dominance in the paint, combined with Sensabaugh’s clutch scoring, gave Ohio State the momentum they needed to finish the game strong.

Despite a valiant effort from Nebraska, they could not close the gap. Derrick Walker, who had been a stalwart in the paint for Nebraska all season, struggled in the second overtime, failing to convert on a few key possessions. His frustration was evident as the game slipped further away.

As the final buzzer sounded and the score reached 89-85 in favor of Ohio State, the Nebraska players were left to reflect on what might have been. The Cornhuskers had fought hard, but the missed opportunities, combined with Ohio State’s late-game execution, proved to be too much.

Postgame Reactions: A Bitter Pill to Swallow

After the game, Nebraska’s players and coaches were understandably disappointed. Fred Hoiberg, who had built a reputation for turning the Cornhuskers into a competitive team, gave a somber press conference, acknowledging the team’s struggles in the closing moments of the game.

“We fought really hard tonight,” Hoiberg said. “I couldn’t be prouder of how we battled back, but we came up short. We had our chances, but that’s the way this game goes sometimes. It’s disappointing because we know how much this game meant for our postseason hopes.”

For the players, the loss was tough to process. Sam Griesel, who had been one of the standout performers for Nebraska, struggled to put his emotions into words.

“We just kept fighting. We knew what was on the line, and we wanted it so badly,” Griesel said. “But at the end of the day, we didn’t execute when we needed to. I feel for my teammates because we gave it everything we had.”

On the Ohio State side, the mood was one of relief and joy. After a rollercoaster season, the win helped solidify their position in the NCAA Tournament picture. Head coach Chris Holtmann expressed pride in his team’s resilience and clutch performances down the stretch.

“We’ve been through a lot this year, but this team has shown time and time again that they can step up when it matters most,” Holtmann said. “It was a great team win, and we’ll take this momentum into the rest of the season.”

The Fallout: A Heartbreaking End to Nebraska’s Postseason Dreams

As the final buzzer echoed through the arena, Nebraska’s hopes of making the NCAA Tournament seemed to fade away. Despite a valiant effort, their NCAA Tournament aspirations were hanging by a thread. The loss in double overtime against Ohio State meant that they would likely need a miracle finish to secure an at-large bid, which now seemed highly unlikely.

The Cornhuskers’ NCAA Tournament hopes had been reliant on a solid finish to the season, and the loss in this high-stakes game was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. While their resume was still respectable, it was clear that this heart-wrenching defeat at Ohio State would likely be the one that kept them out of the tournament.

A Season of What-Ifs

As Nebraska walks away from this game with their postseason hopes dashed, they can take solace in the fact that they gave it everything they had. The game in Ohio State was one of the most thrilling and heartbreaking moments of the season, a perfect representation of the unpredictability of college basketball. While the Cornhuskers may not make it to the NCAA Tournament this year, they can hold their heads high, knowing they fought tooth and nail every step of the way. The disappointment is palpable, but there is hope that this group can use this experience to build towards a better future.

For Ohio State, it’s a step toward securing their own postseason aspirations. Their win was hard-fought and showcased the grit and determination that will serve them well as they prepare for the final stretch of the season. The Buckeyes have earned a crucial victory, but they know that their journey is far from over.

As for Nebraska, it’s back to the drawing board. A season filled with highs and lows ended in the cruelest of fashions, but the Cornhuskers will be left to reflect on a campaign that was, at the very least, memorable.