Nebraska Basketball’s Bubble Gets Popped in Double Overtime at Ohio State
As the Nebraska Cornhuskers prepared for their final regular season stretch in the Big Ten, every game was crucial. With hopes of securing a spot in the NCAA tournament hanging by a thread, the team’s performance against Ohio State on March 6, 2025, seemed like their last opportunity to solidify their place in the bubble conversation. It was a game that had all the ingredients of a nail-biter—intense competition, high stakes, and an atmosphere that would be decided by every single possession.
Unfortunately for Nebraska, their dreams of a March Madness berth came to a tragic end as they fell short in a double overtime thriller in Columbus, Ohio, to the Ohio State Buckeyes, 87-82. The loss not only dashed their hopes of securing an automatic bid to the tournament but also left the team and their fans in disbelief over how close they came to an improbable victory. For Nebraska, the bubble had officially popped, and their season’s fate was sealed.
In this piece, we will break down the key moments that led to the heartbreaking loss, examine what went wrong for Nebraska down the stretch, and reflect on how the Cornhuskers can move forward as they look to the future.
Nebraska’s Tournament Hopes Heading into the Game
Before we dive into the drama that unfolded during this intense double-overtime battle, it’s important to understand the state of Nebraska basketball entering the game. The Cornhuskers had been on a roller-coaster ride throughout the season, with notable wins over top-ranked teams and some tough losses that left them on the fringes of the NCAA tournament conversation. Heading into the game at Ohio State, Nebraska was sitting on the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble, needing a strong finish to their regular season to have a shot at an at-large bid.
The Big Ten conference is notoriously difficult, with some of the top teams in the country consistently fighting for a high seed. But Nebraska’s campaign had been one of overcoming adversity. Under Head Coach Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska had shown resilience in the face of challenges, with standout performances from key players like Sam Griesel, Juwan Gary, and Derrick Walker. Griesel, a standout guard, was particularly critical for the Cornhuskers, leading the team in scoring and providing steady leadership on both ends of the floor.
The Cornhuskers entered the game against Ohio State with a 17-13 record and a 9-10 conference mark. While not necessarily a bad record, Nebraska’s inability to string together enough consistent wins had placed them firmly on the bubble. They needed a road win at Ohio State to push their case for inclusion in the NCAA tournament, and a loss would likely signal the end of their March Madness dreams.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher, and the atmosphere inside Value City Arena in Columbus promised to be electric as the Cornhuskers and Buckeyes squared off for what was sure to be a thrilling game.
A Game of Runs: Regulation Breakdown
The first half of the game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and trying to establish control. Ohio State, led by their star forward Brice Sensabaugh, came out strong, utilizing his scoring ability and physicality to impose their will early. However, Nebraska answered with strong perimeter shooting from Griesel and aggressive play from their big men inside. Derrick Walker, Nebraska’s physical center, was particularly effective early on, scoring in the paint and grabbing crucial rebounds to keep his team within striking distance.
At halftime, Ohio State held a narrow lead, 38-35. The game was still very much up for grabs, and both teams knew they had to step up their defense in the second half if they were going to walk away with the win.
Nebraska’s Second-Half Surge: As the second half got underway, Nebraska made some key adjustments. The Cornhuskers’ defense tightened up, and they started to limit Ohio State’s fast break opportunities. Griesel continued to create scoring opportunities for his teammates, and Juwan Gary had a critical stretch where he scored back-to-back baskets to give Nebraska their first lead of the half.
However, just as it seemed Nebraska might seize control, Ohio State responded with an offensive explosion. The Buckeyes’ Sensabaugh continued to carry the load for Ohio State, knocking down tough shots and keeping them in the game. Despite Nebraska’s best efforts, Ohio State took a 65-61 lead with just under two minutes left in regulation.
With their NCAA tournament hopes on the line, Nebraska fought back valiantly in the final moments. With 40 seconds remaining, Nebraska had the ball down by just two points. Griesel drove the lane and dished out to Keisei Tominari, who drilled a clutch three-pointer to give Nebraska a 68-67 lead. The crowd went silent as Ohio State scrambled for a quick response.
On the ensuing possession, Ohio State ran a high pick-and-roll play for Sensabaugh, but Nebraska’s defense stepped up to contest the shot. Sean McNeil, a sharpshooting guard for Ohio State, launched a contested three-pointer as the clock ticked down, but it missed. Derrick Walker secured the rebound for Nebraska, and they had a chance to ice the game.
However, Nebraska’s fate took another cruel turn. On their final possession of regulation, with just 10 seconds left, Griesel dribbled down the floor and tried to initiate a play. As he made his move toward the basket, Ohio State’s defense forced a turnover. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State’s quick and defensive-minded guard, stole the ball and sprinted down the court for a potential game-winning layup. But, with just a second left, Nebraska’s defense swarmed and blocked the shot, sending the game into overtime.
The First Overtime: Nebraska’s Resilience
In overtime, both teams settled into a rhythm. Ohio State seemed to have the edge early, as Brice Sensabaugh and Zed Key combined for some tough inside scoring, giving Ohio State a 75-72 lead with under a minute to go. However, Nebraska continued to battle. With 10 seconds left, Nebraska trailed by one point and had a chance to win the game in dramatic fashion.
Once again, it was Sam Griesel who was called upon to make the play. He drove toward the basket, drawing multiple defenders, and dished out to Juwan Gary, who was wide open in the corner for a potential game-winning three-pointer. Gary took the shot with the entire season on the line, but the ball rimmed out. With no time left on the clock, the teams were headed to double overtime.
Double Overtime: The Heartbreaking End
The second overtime period was an emotional roller-coaster. Both teams were visibly exhausted, having played nearly 50 minutes of intense basketball. Despite the fatigue, Nebraska kept fighting. Derrick Walker, who had been dominant inside throughout the game, gave Nebraska a chance by scoring a quick layup to put them up 80-79 early in the period.
However, Ohio State’s depth ultimately proved too much for Nebraska to handle. Brice Sensabaugh came alive in the final minutes of double overtime, scoring a crucial three-pointer to put the Buckeyes ahead 83-80. On Nebraska’s next possession, Griesel drove to the basket but missed a contested layup as he was fouled. He stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to cut Ohio State’s lead to one, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity. That missed free throw proved to be costly.
In the final seconds, Ohio State capitalized. Sean McNeil hit a clutch free throw, followed by a fast break layup from Bruce Thornton to seal the game. The final score read 87-82, and Nebraska’s NCAA tournament hopes were dashed.
Post-Game Reflections: Nebraska’s Bubble Burst
After the game, a visibly disappointed Fred Hoiberg addressed the media, reflecting on the team’s effort and what went wrong down the stretch.
“We gave it everything we had,” Hoiberg said. “We fought through adversity all season long, and we put ourselves in position to win. I’m proud of the way our guys competed. We just couldn’t close it out when it mattered most.”
Sam Griesel, who had played nearly 50 minutes in the game, was understandably upset but also expressed pride in his team’s fight.
“It hurts. It really does. We came so close, and we had chances,” Griesel said. “But we’ll learn from this. We’ve grown so much this season, and I know this program will be better because of it.”
Nebraska’s Future
Although Nebraska’s tournament hopes ended in heartbreak, the team’s performance throughout the season—especially their ability to stay competitive in the toughest conference in the nation—should not be overlooked. The Cornhuskers showed resilience, toughness, and the kind of grit that could set the tone for the years to come. With a solid core returning, including Griesel, Walker, and Gary, Nebraska is positioned for a bright future under Fred Hoiberg.
As for the 2025-2026 season, Nebraska will certainly be looking to learn from this bitter experience. If they can build on their growth this year and secure the right recruiting class, their NCAA tournament hopes will be much more than a bubble discussion next year. The Cornhuskers’ close loss at Ohio State was painful, but it should serve as motivation for an even bigger push in the seasons to come. The lessons learned during this double-overtime thriller will fuel Nebraska’s future in the pursuit of greatness.
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