Story by NU Athletic Communications

University of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek announced today that he has named Troy Dannen, a leading voice in collegiate athletics with extensive experience as an athletic director and deep ties to the Midwest and Big Ten, as Nebraska’s next AD, effective Friday.

Dannen currently serves as Director of Athletics at the University of Washington, a fellow Big Ten institution. Previously, he was AD at Tulane, and before that led athletics at his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa. Dannen brings Midwestern roots, having grown up on a farm just outside Marshalltown, Iowa.

“From my first conversation with Troy Dannen, I knew he was a perfect fit for Nebraska,” Kabourek said. “He is a fierce competitor, he holds himself and his programs to uncommonly high standards, and he cares personally about the success of student-athletes in sports, school and life. Troy sees the vision and momentum we have here at Nebraska, from our bold investments in facilities to our record success in the classroom to our bold plan to elevate our national reputation and competitiveness, and he is excited to be a part of it. I am thrilled that we’ve found someone who is 100% aligned with our high expectations and will be all-in on Nebraska.

“Husker Nation, we’ve found a winner in Troy Dannen. I can’t wait to welcome him and his family to Nebraska.”

Dannen said: “Joining the Nebraska family is truly an honor. My family and I are humbled by the opportunity to be part of such a proud athletics program, institution, community and state. Growing up in Iowa, I watched a lot of Nebraska football on Saturdays with my family. I’ve spent a lot of time in the state and I’ve found that we share a similar approach to life, work and sports: Work hard, stay humble, compete and expect to win.

“There is a storied tradition at Nebraska, but more work to be done. I truly believe our best years are ahead of us. I couldn’t be more grateful to Interim President Chris Kabourek for this opportunity. Chris has championed an inspiring vision for excellence across the University of Nebraska and he and I are completely aligned on where Nebraska needs to go in the future. I look forward to doing my part to helping Nebraska win championships across the board, graduate our student-athletes and elevate the world-class reputation of the University of Nebraska. I can’t wait to arrive in Nebraska and get to work.”

Head Football Coach Matt Rhule said: “I’m so fired up about this hire. Interim President Kabourek has found exactly the right person to lead the Huskers forward. Troy sees what we see – that Nebraska is a special place, with special people, a great vision and the courage to be unabashed about wanting to win across the board. The fact that someone of Troy’s caliber wants to join Team Nebraska will light a fire across our entire department. Let’s go!”

Dannen has been at Washington since 2023. He’s also in his fourth year as chair of the NCAA Football Competition Committee and as an Executive Committee member of the Football Oversight Committee.

From 2021 through 2023, Dannen served on the NCAA Constitution Committee and then the Division I Transformation Committee, as one of a small group of chancellors, presidents, directors of athletics, commissioners and Faculty Athletic Representatives across all three NCAA divisions tasked with charting a future path for college athletics. In 2022, Dannen was a finalist for&nbsp;Sports Business Journal’s&nbsp;Athletic Director of the Year award, and he received the Distinguished American Award by the Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation.He arrived at Washington after serving as Director of Athletics at Tulane University since 2015. While at Tulane, Green Wave student-athletes earned 49 All-American honors, won a national championship, 21 conference championships and earned 41 postseason appearances.In 2022-23, Tulane football won their first American Athletic Conference football championship, and won the Cotton Bowl over USC, ranked 9th in the nation at that time. Men’s basketball won 20 regular season games for the first time in two decades. Men’s tennis advanced to its sixth NCAA tournament in seven years, both bowling and beach volleyball finished ranked in the Top 20, and baseball won the conference championship.Tulane’s football program participated in an unprecedented three consecutive bowl games from 2018-20, winning back-to-back bowl games for the first time in 128 years of football at the University.In the classroom, Tulane student-athletes excelled at a high-level. At the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, over 68% of Green Wave student-athletes earned a 3.0 GPA or better, with a 93% Graduation Success Rate and a record-setting department Academic Progress Report of 992, with seven teams earning a perfect 1000 APR score.Dannen spearheaded fundraising efforts and numerous capital projects at Tulane.&nbsp;He helped secure the largest unrestricted gift in Tulane Athletics history, an endowment gift which funds the operation of a new sport (sailing), and a $10 million lead gift for capital renovations, which is the second largest gift in department history.&nbsp;In addition, marketing and licensing revenue grew four-fold, and in 2022-23, Tulane football, basketball and volleyball set ticket sales and revenue records.&nbsp;Under Dannen’s leadership, the Green Wave Club Annual Fund grew by 40% in terms of donors, and 45% in terms of dollars.Increases in fundraising and major gift donors positively impacted capital project development and completion. A $13 million renovation to the Reilly Natatorium, home of the swimming and diving program, as well as $8 million in renovations to locker rooms and the Wilson Center sports medicine center were completed in 2023. Dannen also oversaw construction of a new dining facility, weight room, basketball and volleyball locker rooms. Tulane also completed a $2.4 million academic center renovation and a $5 million television and digital production center.Dannen came to Tulane after serving eight years as the Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) from 2008-15. During his tenure, the Panthers enjoyed success at both the conference and national levels, as UNI was recognized with 39 All-Americans, 13 Coaches of the Year and nine Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Players of the Year. UNI football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball and softball combined to reach 15 NCAA tournaments and 20 postseason berths during that stretch. For his efforts, Dannen was recognized as NACDA’s FCS Athletic Director of the Year in 2014.Prior to his time at UNI, Dannen served as the Iowa High School Athletic Union’s Executive Director for seven years.&nbsp;Dannen graduated from UNI in 1989 with a degree in communications. He is married to Amy, and together they have four children: Elle, Emily, Holly and William.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsUniversity of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek announced today that he has named Troy Dannen, a leading voice in collegiate athletics with extensive experience as an athletic director and deep ties to the Midwest and Big Ten, as Nebraska’s next AD, effective Friday.Dannen currently serves as Director of Athletics at the University of Washington, a fellow Big Ten institution. Previously, he was AD at Tulane, and before that led athletics at his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa. Dannen brings Midwestern roots, having grown up on a farm just outside Marshalltown, Iowa.“From my first conversation with Troy Dannen, I knew he was a perfect fit for Nebraska,” Kabourek said. “He is a fierce competitor, he holds himself and his programs to uncommonly high standards, and he cares personally about the success of student-athletes in sports, school and life. Troy sees the vision and momentum we have here at Nebraska, from our bold investments in facilities to our record success in the classroom to our bold plan to elevate our national reputation and competitiveness, and he is excited to be a part of it. I am thrilled that we’ve found someone who is 100% aligned with our high expectations and will be all-in on Nebraska.“Husker Nation, we’ve found a winner in Troy Dannen. I can’t wait to welcome him and his family to Nebraska.”Dannen said: “Joining the Nebraska family is truly an honor. My family and I are humbled by the opportunity to be part of such a proud athletics program, institution, community and state. Growing up in Iowa, I watched a lot of Nebraska football on Saturdays with my family. I’ve spent a lot of time in the state and I’ve found that we share a similar approach to life, work and sports: Work hard, stay humble, compete and expect to win.“There is a storied tradition at Nebraska, but more work to be done. I truly believe our best years are ahead of us. I couldn’t be more grateful to Interim President Chris Kabourek for this opportunity. Chris has championed an inspiring vision for excellence across the University of Nebraska and he and I are completely aligned on where Nebraska needs to go in the future. I look forward to doing my part to helping Nebraska win championships across the board, graduate our student-athletes and elevate the world-class reputation of the University of Nebraska. I can’t wait to arrive in Nebraska and get to work.”Head Football Coach Matt Rhule said: “I’m so fired up about this hire. Interim President Kabourek has found exactly the right person to lead the Huskers forward. Troy sees what we see – that Nebraska is a special place, with special people, a great vision and the courage to be unabashed about wanting to win across the board. The fact that someone of Troy’s caliber wants to join Team Nebraska will light a fire across our entire department. Let’s go!”Dannen has been at Washington since 2023. He’s also in his fourth year as chair of the NCAA Football Competition Committee and as an Executive Committee member of the Football Oversight Committee.From 2021 through 2023, Dannen served on the NCAA Constitution Committee and then the Division I Transformation Committee, as one of a small group of chancellors, presidents, directors of athletics, commissioners and Faculty Athletic Representatives across all three NCAA divisions tasked with charting a future path for college athletics. In 2022, Dannen was a finalist for&nbsp;Sports Business Journal’s&nbsp;Athletic Director of the Year award, and he received the Distinguished American Award by the Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation.He arrived at Washington after serving as Director of Athletics at Tulane University since 2015. While at Tulane, Green Wave student-athletes earned 49 All-American honors, won a national championship, 21 conference championships and earned 41 postseason appearances.In 2022-23, Tulane football won their first American Athletic Conference football championship, and won the Cotton Bowl over USC, ranked 9th in the nation at that time. Men’s basketball won 20 regular season games for the first time in two decades. Men’s tennis advanced to its sixth NCAA tournament in seven years, both bowling and beach volleyball finished ranked in the Top 20, and baseball won the conference championship.Tulane’s football program participated in an unprecedented three consecutive bowl games from 2018-20, winning back-to-back bowl games for the first time in 128 years of football at the University.In the classroom, Tulane student-athletes excelled at a high-level. At the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, over 68% of Green Wave student-athletes earned a 3.0 GPA or better, with a 93% Graduation Success Rate and a record-setting department Academic Progress Report of 992, with seven teams earning a perfect 1000 APR score.Dannen spearheaded fundraising efforts and numerous capital projects at Tulane.&nbsp;He helped secure the largest unrestricted gift in Tulane Athletics history, an endowment gift which funds the operation of a new sport (sailing), and a $10 million lead gift for capital renovations, which is the second largest gift in department history.&nbsp;In addition, marketing and licensing revenue grew four-fold, and in 2022-23, Tulane football, basketball and volleyball set ticket sales and revenue records.&nbsp;Under Dannen’s leadership, the Green Wave Club Annual Fund grew by 40% in terms of donors, and 45% in terms of dollars.Increases in fundraising and major gift donors positively impacted capital project development and completion. A $13 million renovation to the Reilly Natatorium, home of the swimming and diving program, as well as $8 million in renovations to locker rooms and the Wilson Center sports medicine center were completed in 2023. Dannen also oversaw construction of a new dining facility, weight room, basketball and volleyball locker rooms. Tulane also completed a $2.4 million academic center renovation and a $5 million television and digital production center.Dannen came to Tulane after serving eight years as the Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) from 2008-15. During his tenure, the Panthers enjoyed success at both the conference and national levels, as UNI was recognized with 39 All-Americans, 13 Coaches of the Year and nine Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Players of the Year. UNI football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball and softball combined to reach 15 NCAA tournaments and 20 postseason berths during that stretch. For his efforts, Dannen was recognized as NACDA’s FCS Athletic Director of the Year in 2014.Prior to his time at UNI, Dannen served as the Iowa High School Athletic Union’s Executive Director for seven years.&nbsp;Dannen graduated from UNI in 1989 with a degree in communications. He is married to Amy, and together they have four children: Elle, Emily, Holly and William.

Troy Dannen named Nebraska Director of Athletics

The Nebraska men's basketball team makes its first NCAA appearance in a decade, as the Huskers are the No. 8 seed in the South Regional. The Huskers (23-10) open tournament action on Friday evening when they face ninth-seeded Texas A&amp;M (20-14). Tipoff is set for 5:50 p.m. (central) and the game will be televised by TNT and carried on the Huskers Radio Network.

Under the direction of Big Ten Coach of the Year Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska’s 23 wins are the most since the 1990-91 season and the second-highest total in school history.&nbsp; The Huskers are coming off a Big Ten semifinal appearance, as the Huskers dropped a 98-87 decision to No. 13 Illinois on March 15.

Nebraska features a balanced attack led by All-Big Ten performers Keisei Tominaga and Rienk Mast. Tominaga, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, leads Nebraska in scoring at 14.9 points per game and has a team-high 71 3-pointers. Mast, a 6-foot-10 junior forward, averages 12.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in his first season at Nebraska and leads the Huskers in both rebounds and assists.&nbsp; The Huskers feature four players who average double figures in Brice Williams (13.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Juwan Gary (11.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and eight players who average at least 18 minutes per contest.

The Huskers average 77.6 points per game to rank fourth in the Big Ten and is NU’s highest scoring average since the 1995-96 season. NU leads the Big Ten in 3-pointers per game (9.5/gm) while its 312 3-pointers shattered the previous school mark of 270 set in 2019.

Texas A&amp;M is 20-14 on the season after losing to Florida, 95-90, in the SEC semifinals on Saturday. The Aggies had won five straight before the loss to the Gators, including a 97-87 win over Kentucky in the quarterfinals. Two-time All-SEC guard Wade Taylor IV paces the Aggie attack with 18.9 points and 4.0 points per game, while Tyrence Radford chips in 16.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

The winner of the NU/Texas A&amp;M matchup will face the winner of the game between No. 1 seed Houston and No. 16 seed Longwood on Sunday. The start time and TV info will be determined following Friday's games.&nbsp;

Nebraska's NCAA Tournament History

The 2024 NCAA Tournament marks Nebraska’s eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and 27th postseason appearance in school history (eight NCAAs, 19 NITs). NU makes its first appearance since the 2013-14 campaign and second since 1998.

The Huskers made their first appearance in 1986 and made four straight appearances in the early 1990s, led by Rich King and Eric Piatkowski. Nebraska returned to the NCAAs in 1998 behind NBA first-round pick Tyronn Lue while its most recent appearance came in 2014.

• Fred Hoiberg is the fourth Husker coach to take his team to the NCAAs, joining Moe Iba (1986), Danny Nee (1991-92-93-94-98) and Tim Miles (2014). It will be the fifth NCAA appearance of his career, as he guided Iowa State to four straight NCAAs between 2012 and 2015.&nbsp; In addition, Hoiberg's grandfather, Jerry Bush, guided Toledo to an appearance in the 1954 NCAA Tournament.

• Junior forward Juwan Gary is the only active Husker with NCAA Tournament experience, as he played in two tournaments in his time at Alabama, including the Crimson Tide’s 2021 run to the Sweet 16.

• Nebraska's 23 wins this season are the most by Nebraska since the 1990-91 season. It ranks second on Nebraska's single-season win chart.

• Nebraska has increased its win total in each of the past three years, marking the first time NU has done that since the mid-1960s (1963-64 to 1965-66).&nbsp; According to BTN Research, Nebraska is one of four teams nationally and the only team in a power conference to improve its win total by at least six games in each of the past two seasons (as of March 18). The others are James Madison, Lamar and South Florida.&nbsp;

In addition, the Huskers have also improved their conference win percentage in each of the past four seasons, culminating with a 12-8 mark in 2023-24.

• Nebraska is one of 23 teams nationally that ranks in the top 50 both in offensive and defensive efficiency in KenPom entering the NCAA Tournament. It marks the first time that Nebraska has been ranked in the top 50 of offensive and defensive efficiency in the KenPom era (1996-97).

• Nebraska has two top-10 wins for the first time since 2013-14 and the sixth time in school history (2023-24, 2013-14, 1993-94, 1991-92, 1990-91 and 1957-58).&nbsp; The 1957-58 team was coached by Jerry Bush, the grandfather of current Husker Head Coach Fred Hoiberg.

• Over the past two seasons, NU has won 21 conference games, the highest two-year total since the 1965-66 and 1966-67 teams won 22 conference tilts. The last two seasons under Fred Hoiberg mark just the fourth time in school history that Nebraska has won 20 or more conference games in a two-year span.

• The Huskers finished the regular season with an 18-1 record inside Pinnacle Bank Arena, setting a single-season mark for home wins in a season. The .947 mark is NU's best home mark by winning percentage since 1965-66. NU went a perfect 10-0 at home in Big Ten play, marking the third time NU has posted an unblemished home conference mark since World War II (also 1965-66, 2017-18). The other seasons with a perfect conference record were between 1908 and 1921.

• Nebraska enters the NCAA Tournament averaging 77.6 points per game.&nbsp; It is an increase of nearly nine points per game from last year and NU's highest scoring average since 1995-96 (80.2 ppg).&nbsp; NU's highest average since joining the Big Ten is 73.3 points per game in 2021-22.

NU has climbed from 149th to 36th nationally in offensive efficiency in KenPom as of March 18.

•&nbsp; The Huskers have been one of the most consistent teams in the Big Ten for more than a year. NU is 29-13 over the last 39 games dating back to Feb. 1, 2023, which ranks second only to Purdue in the Big Ten in winning percentage in that span.

• The Huskers are 25-7 under Fred Hoiberg when scoring at least 80 points, including 20-4 over the last three seasons. The 98-87 loss to No. 13 Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament marked the first time in the last three seasons that Nebraska scored 80 or more points and lost in regulation.

• Nebraska enters the NCAA Tournament shooting 75.4 percent from the foul line. It is the Huskers' best season from the charity stripe since the 2011-12 team set a school record with a .766 free throw percentage.

• Nebraska's bench has been productive all season, averaging a Big Ten best 21.9 points per game as of March 18.

• The 2024 season marks the fourth time that both the Husker men and women reached the NCAA Tournament (also 1993, 1998 and 2014). The Husker women are 22-11 heading into their first-round matchup with Texas A&amp;M on Friday night. The 2023-24 season marks the first time that both the Husker men's and women's programs won at least 22 games in the same season.&nbsp; Nebraska is one of 22 programs nationally and just two in the Big Ten - along with Michigan State - to have both their men's and women's teams reach the 2024 NCAA Tournament.&nbsp; Nebraska is one of 12 teams with both teams seeded eighth or higher.

• A few Huskers are approaching milestones heading into Friday's NCAA Tournament opener. Keisei Tominaga: Ranks eighth on NU's single-season list with 71 3-pointers and needs eight to move into a tie for sixth place with Tyronn Lue (1998) and Cary Cochran (2001)...he can climb NU's career list as he has 173 and is within striking distance of Brian Conklin (176, seventh) and Erick Strickland (179, sixth)...Tominaga is also three points away from tying Herschell Turner for 30th on NU's career scoring list. C.J. Wilcher: With 144 career 3-pointers, he is two 3-pointers from tying Cookie Belcher for 10th on NU's career 3-point chart (146).&nbsp; Rienk Mast: Needs 11 points to reach 1,400 points for his career and is six shy of 900 career rebounds.

1990-91 - Nebraska's 23 wins are the most since the 1990-91 team set a school record with 26 wins.

9.5 - NU tops the Big Ten and ranks 26th nationally with 9.5 3-pointers per game as of March 18. The per game average would match the single-season school record for 3-pointers per game (9.5/gm, 2001-02). &nbsp;The Huskers' 312 3-pointers is a school record (previous, 270 in 2018-19), while the Huskers are 11-4 this season when hitting at least 10 3-pointers in a game.&nbsp;

25 - Nebraska has won 25 straight games when out-rebounding its opponent dating back to Nov. 27, 2022, against Florida State. The Huskers are a perfect 16-0 this season when out-rebounding foes.

22 - Nebraska has won 22 straight games dating back to last season when holding an opponent to 70 points or less. This season, NU is 18-0 following the win over Indiana on March 15.

8 - Nebraska is one of eight teams in the country to have at least five 1,000-point scorers on its roster. The group includes Josiah Allick, Jarron Coleman, Rienk Mast, Keisei Tominaga and Brice Williams. St. John's with six is the only program with more 1,000-point scorers (six) on its roster.

.939 - C.J. &nbsp;Wilcher's free throw percentage this season, as he has hit 31 of 33 from the foul line. Wilcher was a perfect 23-of-23 in Big Ten play and has hit 28 straight free throws dating back to Nov. 9.

15.6 - Brice Williams is averaging 15.6 points in eight career postseason games (conference tournament and 2023 CBI), well above his career scoring average of 10.2 points per game. Over the last two years, that number jumps to &nbsp;17.7 after his performance in the 2024 Big Ten Tournament.

2 - Rienk Mast became only the second Husker in the last 25 years to post a 30-point, 10-rebound game with his performance against Ohio State on Jan. 24. He joined Aleks Maric, who accomplished the feat four times in his career from 2005 to 2008.

1.38 - Nebraska's assist-to-turnover ratio this season, which is on pace to be NU's best assist-to-turnover ratio since 1985-86 (1.64).&nbsp;

9 - Nine members of the Husker men's basketball team were named to the NU Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll for the fall semester announced on Feb. 22. The group includes Josiah Allick, Henry Burt, Jeffrey Grace III, Sam Hoiberg, Rienk Mast, Eli Rice, Keisei Tominaga, &nbsp;C.J. Wilcher and Brice Williams. Mast was one of 72 Huskers across all sports with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

14,597 - Nebraska ranks 15th nationally in average attendance, averaging 14,597 fans per game. Nebraska has been ranked in the top 25 nationally in attendance every year since Pinnacle Bank Arena opened in 2013-14, except for 2020-21 when no fans were allowed.

11 - Fred Hoiberg has 11 career wins against top-10 teams and 28 wins over ranked opponents in his collegiate coaching career. This season, NU has wins over No. 1 Purdue and No. 6 Wisconsin.&nbsp;

Texas A&amp;M comes into Friday's NCAA Tournament opener with a 20-14 record after reaching the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. The Aggies were tested in non-conference action with wins over Iowa State and Ohio State while suffering close losses to Houston, Florida Atlantic and Houston. The Aggies played some of their best basketball down the stretch, winning five straight games before losing to Florida in the semifinals.

Buzz Williams is in his fifth season at Texas A&amp;M and has guided the Aggies to three straight 20-win seasons and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. Previously, he spent five seasons at Virginia Tech, six seasons at Marquette and one season at New Orleans.

The Aggies' strength is on the glass where Texas A&amp;M ranks seventh nationally in rebounding margin (+8.9 per game) while leading the nation with 17 offensive boards per contest. Andersson Garcia, who began his career at Mississippi State, averages 9.4 rebounds per game to pace the Aggies, but it is a group effort with four players averaging at least five rebounds per contest. Garcia is a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team as he averages 1.3 steals per contest. Wade Taylor IV is the catalyst of the Aggie attack, as he tops the team in scoring (18.9 ppg), assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.9 spg). Taylor ranks in the top 10 in the SEC in scoring (fourth), steals (fourth) and assists (ninth). Tyrece Radford is the Aggies' other double-figure scorer, as he averages 16.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Series History: Friday's NCAA opener will mark the 21st meeting between the two programs, but the first since the 2010-11 season. Nebraska leads the all-time series, 12-8, while 16 of the 20 matchups came between 1996-97 and 2010-11, when both programs were members of the Big 12 Conference. The last meeting between the two teams was a 57-48 win over No. 13 Texas A&amp;M at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Jan. 29, 2011. In that game, Jorge Brian Diaz had 16 points to pace three Huskers in double figures, while Nebraska overcame a 31-24 halftime deficit by holding Texas A&amp;M to 17 second-half points on 24 percent shooting.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska men's basketball team makes its first NCAA appearance in a decade, as the Huskers are the No. 8 seed in the South Regional. The Huskers (23-10) open tournament action on Friday evening when they face ninth-seeded Texas A&amp;M (20-14). Tipoff is set for 5:50 p.m. (central) and the game will be televised by TNT and carried on the Huskers Radio Network.Under the direction of Big Ten Coach of the Year Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska’s 23 wins are the most since the 1990-91 season and the second-highest total in school history.&nbsp; The Huskers are coming off a Big Ten semifinal appearance, as the Huskers dropped a 98-87 decision to No. 13 Illinois on March 15.Nebraska features a balanced attack led by All-Big Ten performers Keisei Tominaga and Rienk Mast. Tominaga, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, leads Nebraska in scoring at 14.9 points per game and has a team-high 71 3-pointers. Mast, a 6-foot-10 junior forward, averages 12.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in his first season at Nebraska and leads the Huskers in both rebounds and assists.&nbsp; The Huskers feature four players who average double figures in Brice Williams (13.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Juwan Gary (11.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and eight players who average at least 18 minutes per contest.The Huskers average 77.6 points per game to rank fourth in the Big Ten and is NU’s highest scoring average since the 1995-96 season. NU leads the Big Ten in 3-pointers per game (9.5/gm) while its 312 3-pointers shattered the previous school mark of 270 set in 2019.Texas A&amp;M is 20-14 on the season after losing to Florida, 95-90, in the SEC semifinals on Saturday. The Aggies had won five straight before the loss to the Gators, including a 97-87 win over Kentucky in the quarterfinals. Two-time All-SEC guard Wade Taylor IV paces the Aggie attack with 18.9 points and 4.0 points per game, while Tyrence Radford chips in 16.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.The winner of the NU/Texas A&amp;M matchup will face the winner of the game between No. 1 seed Houston and No. 16 seed Longwood on Sunday. The start time and TV info will be determined following Friday's games.&nbsp;Nebraska's NCAA Tournament HistoryThe 2024 NCAA Tournament marks Nebraska’s eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and 27th postseason appearance in school history (eight NCAAs, 19 NITs). NU makes its first appearance since the 2013-14 campaign and second since 1998.The Huskers made their first appearance in 1986 and made four straight appearances in the early 1990s, led by Rich King and Eric Piatkowski. Nebraska returned to the NCAAs in 1998 behind NBA first-round pick Tyronn Lue while its most recent appearance came in 2014.• Fred Hoiberg is the fourth Husker coach to take his team to the NCAAs, joining Moe Iba (1986), Danny Nee (1991-92-93-94-98) and Tim Miles (2014). It will be the fifth NCAA appearance of his career, as he guided Iowa State to four straight NCAAs between 2012 and 2015.&nbsp; In addition, Hoiberg's grandfather, Jerry Bush, guided Toledo to an appearance in the 1954 NCAA Tournament.• Junior forward Juwan Gary is the only active Husker with NCAA Tournament experience, as he played in two tournaments in his time at Alabama, including the Crimson Tide’s 2021 run to the Sweet 16.&nbsp;Worth Noting• Nebraska's 23 wins this season are the most by Nebraska since the 1990-91 season. It ranks second on Nebraska's single-season win chart.• Nebraska has increased its win total in each of the past three years, marking the first time NU has done that since the mid-1960s (1963-64 to 1965-66).&nbsp; According to BTN Research, Nebraska is one of four teams nationally and the only team in a power conference to improve its win total by at least six games in each of the past two seasons (as of March 18). The others are James Madison, Lamar and South Florida.&nbsp;In addition, the Huskers have also improved their conference win percentage in each of the past four seasons, culminating with a 12-8 mark in 2023-24.• Nebraska is one of 23 teams nationally that ranks in the top 50 both in offensive and defensive efficiency in KenPom entering the NCAA Tournament. It marks the first time that Nebraska has been ranked in the top 50 of offensive and defensive efficiency in the KenPom era (1996-97).• Nebraska has two top-10 wins for the first time since 2013-14 and the sixth time in school history (2023-24, 2013-14, 1993-94, 1991-92, 1990-91 and 1957-58).&nbsp; The 1957-58 team was coached by Jerry Bush, the grandfather of current Husker Head Coach Fred Hoiberg.• Over the past two seasons, NU has won 21 conference games, the highest two-year total since the 1965-66 and 1966-67 teams won 22 conference tilts. The last two seasons under Fred Hoiberg mark just the fourth time in school history that Nebraska has won 20 or more conference games in a two-year span.• The Huskers finished the regular season with an 18-1 record inside Pinnacle Bank Arena, setting a single-season mark for home wins in a season. The .947 mark is NU's best home mark by winning percentage since 1965-66. NU went a perfect 10-0 at home in Big Ten play, marking the third time NU has posted an unblemished home conference mark since World War II (also 1965-66, 2017-18). The other seasons with a perfect conference record were between 1908 and 1921.• Nebraska enters the NCAA Tournament averaging 77.6 points per game.&nbsp; It is an increase of nearly nine points per game from last year and NU's highest scoring average since 1995-96 (80.2 ppg).&nbsp; NU's highest average since joining the Big Ten is 73.3 points per game in 2021-22.NU has climbed from 149th to 36th nationally in offensive efficiency in KenPom as of March 18.•&nbsp; The Huskers have been one of the most consistent teams in the Big Ten for more than a year. NU is 29-13 over the last 39 games dating back to Feb. 1, 2023, which ranks second only to Purdue in the Big Ten in winning percentage in that span.• The Huskers are 25-7 under Fred Hoiberg when scoring at least 80 points, including 20-4 over the last three seasons. The 98-87 loss to No. 13 Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament marked the first time in the last three seasons that Nebraska scored 80 or more points and lost in regulation.• Nebraska enters the NCAA Tournament shooting 75.4 percent from the foul line. It is the Huskers' best season from the charity stripe since the 2011-12 team set a school record with a .766 free throw percentage.• Nebraska's bench has been productive all season, averaging a Big Ten best 21.9 points per game as of March 18.• The 2024 season marks the fourth time that both the Husker men and women reached the NCAA Tournament (also 1993, 1998 and 2014). The Husker women are 22-11 heading into their first-round matchup with Texas A&amp;M on Friday night. The 2023-24 season marks the first time that both the Husker men's and women's programs won at least 22 games in the same season.&nbsp; Nebraska is one of 22 programs nationally and just two in the Big Ten - along with Michigan State - to have both their men's and women's teams reach the 2024 NCAA Tournament.&nbsp; Nebraska is one of 12 teams with both teams seeded eighth or higher.• A few Huskers are approaching milestones heading into Friday's NCAA Tournament opener. Keisei Tominaga: Ranks eighth on NU's single-season list with 71 3-pointers and needs eight to move into a tie for sixth place with Tyronn Lue (1998) and Cary Cochran (2001)...he can climb NU's career list as he has 173 and is within striking distance of Brian Conklin (176, seventh) and Erick Strickland (179, sixth)...Tominaga is also three points away from tying Herschell Turner for 30th on NU's career scoring list. C.J. Wilcher: With 144 career 3-pointers, he is two 3-pointers from tying Cookie Belcher for 10th on NU's career 3-point chart (146).&nbsp; Rienk Mast: Needs 11 points to reach 1,400 points for his career and is six shy of 900 career rebounds.Numbers to Know1990-91 - Nebraska's 23 wins are the most since the 1990-91 team set a school record with 26 wins.9.5 - NU tops the Big Ten and ranks 26th nationally with 9.5 3-pointers per game as of March 18. The per game average would match the single-season school record for 3-pointers per game (9.5/gm, 2001-02). &nbsp;The Huskers' 312 3-pointers is a school record (previous, 270 in 2018-19), while the Huskers are 11-4 this season when hitting at least 10 3-pointers in a game.&nbsp;25 - Nebraska has won 25 straight games when out-rebounding its opponent dating back to Nov. 27, 2022, against Florida State. The Huskers are a perfect 16-0 this season when out-rebounding foes.22 - Nebraska has won 22 straight games dating back to last season when holding an opponent to 70 points or less. This season, NU is 18-0 following the win over Indiana on March 15.8 - Nebraska is one of eight teams in the country to have at least five 1,000-point scorers on its roster. The group includes Josiah Allick, Jarron Coleman, Rienk Mast, Keisei Tominaga and Brice Williams. St. John's with six is the only program with more 1,000-point scorers (six) on its roster..939 - C.J. &nbsp;Wilcher's free throw percentage this season, as he has hit 31 of 33 from the foul line. Wilcher was a perfect 23-of-23 in Big Ten play and has hit 28 straight free throws dating back to Nov. 9.15.6 - Brice Williams is averaging 15.6 points in eight career postseason games (conference tournament and 2023 CBI), well above his career scoring average of 10.2 points per game. Over the last two years, that number jumps to &nbsp;17.7 after his performance in the 2024 Big Ten Tournament.2 - Rienk Mast became only the second Husker in the last 25 years to post a 30-point, 10-rebound game with his performance against Ohio State on Jan. 24. He joined Aleks Maric, who accomplished the feat four times in his career from 2005 to 2008.1.38 - Nebraska's assist-to-turnover ratio this season, which is on pace to be NU's best assist-to-turnover ratio since 1985-86 (1.64).&nbsp;9 - Nine members of the Husker men's basketball team were named to the NU Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll for the fall semester announced on Feb. 22. The group includes Josiah Allick, Henry Burt, Jeffrey Grace III, Sam Hoiberg, Rienk Mast, Eli Rice, Keisei Tominaga, &nbsp;C.J. Wilcher and Brice Williams. Mast was one of 72 Huskers across all sports with a perfect 4.0 GPA.14,597 - Nebraska ranks 15th nationally in average attendance, averaging 14,597 fans per game. Nebraska has been ranked in the top 25 nationally in attendance every year since Pinnacle Bank Arena opened in 2013-14, except for 2020-21 when no fans were allowed.11 - Fred Hoiberg has 11 career wins against top-10 teams and 28 wins over ranked opponents in his collegiate coaching career. This season, NU has wins over No. 1 Purdue and No. 6 Wisconsin.&nbsp;Scouting Texas A&amp;MTexas A&amp;M comes into Friday's NCAA Tournament opener with a 20-14 record after reaching the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. The Aggies were tested in non-conference action with wins over Iowa State and Ohio State while suffering close losses to Houston, Florida Atlantic and Houston. The Aggies played some of their best basketball down the stretch, winning five straight games before losing to Florida in the semifinals.Buzz Williams is in his fifth season at Texas A&amp;M and has guided the Aggies to three straight 20-win seasons and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. Previously, he spent five seasons at Virginia Tech, six seasons at Marquette and one season at New Orleans.The Aggies' strength is on the glass where Texas A&amp;M ranks seventh nationally in rebounding margin (+8.9 per game) while leading the nation with 17 offensive boards per contest. Andersson Garcia, who began his career at Mississippi State, averages 9.4 rebounds per game to pace the Aggies, but it is a group effort with four players averaging at least five rebounds per contest. Garcia is a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team as he averages 1.3 steals per contest. Wade Taylor IV is the catalyst of the Aggie attack, as he tops the team in scoring (18.9 ppg), assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.9 spg). Taylor ranks in the top 10 in the SEC in scoring (fourth), steals (fourth) and assists (ninth). Tyrece Radford is the Aggies' other double-figure scorer, as he averages 16.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.Series History: Friday's NCAA opener will mark the 21st meeting between the two programs, but the first since the 2010-11 season. Nebraska leads the all-time series, 12-8, while 16 of the 20 matchups came between 1996-97 and 2010-11, when both programs were members of the Big 12 Conference. The last meeting between the two teams was a 57-48 win over No. 13 Texas A&amp;M at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Jan. 29, 2011. In that game, Jorge Brian Diaz had 16 points to pace three Huskers in double figures, while Nebraska overcame a 31-24 halftime deficit by holding Texas A&amp;M to 17 second-half points on 24 percent shooting.

Nebraska battles Texas A&M in NCAA First Round Friday evening

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sources: Nebraska is finalizing a six-year deal to make Washington athletic director Troy Dannen the school’s new athletic director. The hiring of Dannen gives Nebraska an immediate replacement for Trev Alberts, who left for Texas A&amp;M last week. <a href="https://t.co/q9SRkTK7hk">pic.twitter.com/q9SRkTK7hk</a>&mdash; Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1770450141637493039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

(Source) Huskers finalizing a six-year deal to make Washington athletic director Troy Dannen the school’s new AD

Gena Jorgenson and Kelsey Clairmont are set for the 2024 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Athens, Ga., March&nbsp;20-23. Events will take place at the Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium.

Jorgenson, a sophomore from Aberdeen, S.D. qualified for the 1650 freestyle and 500 freestyle. Because of her qualification times in the two events, she was also invited to participate in the 400 IM.&nbsp;

Jorgenson logged career-bests in all three events at the Big Ten Championships, breaking the 1650 freestyle and 500 freestyle school records with times of 16:01.72 and 4:41.19. She finished fifth in the 1650 freestyle and 10th in the 500 freestyle at the conference meet. Jorgenson also is fourth all-time in the 400 IM (4:14.78) after a 20th-place finish in the Big Ten final.&nbsp;

Clairmont, a sophomore from Regina, SK, Canada, will compete for the Huskers on the platform. She qualified for the event after grabbing an eighth-place finish and a score of 502.75 at the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships.&nbsp;

Clairmont has amassed eight top-three finishes on the season and finished 27th in the event at the Big Ten Championships (182.40).

Jorgenson is one of 281 swimmers and Clairmont is one of 41 divers competing in the championship events.

Coverage will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 on ESPN+ with the 200 medley relay and the 800 freestyle relay competitions.

Nebraska at the NCAA Swimming &amp; Diving ChampionshipsAthens, Ga. (Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium)March 20-23, 2024 (All times central)Thursday, March 21500 Free - Prelims (Gena Jorgenson) - 9 a.m.&nbsp;500 Free - Finals - 5 p.m.Friday, March 22400 IM - Prelims (Gena Jorgenson) - 9 a.m.400 IM - Finals - 5 p.m.Saturday, March 23Platform - Prelims (Kelsey Clairmont) - 9 a.m.1,650 Free - Finals (Gena Jorgenson) - 5 p.m.Platform - Finals - 5 p.m.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsGena Jorgenson and Kelsey Clairmont are set for the 2024 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Athens, Ga., March&nbsp;20-23. Events will take place at the Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium.Jorgenson, a sophomore from Aberdeen, S.D. qualified for the 1650 freestyle and 500 freestyle. Because of her qualification times in the two events, she was also invited to participate in the 400 IM.&nbsp;Jorgenson logged career-bests in all three events at the Big Ten Championships, breaking the 1650 freestyle and 500 freestyle school records with times of 16:01.72 and 4:41.19. She finished fifth in the 1650 freestyle and 10th in the 500 freestyle at the conference meet. Jorgenson also is fourth all-time in the 400 IM (4:14.78) after a 20th-place finish in the Big Ten final.&nbsp;Clairmont, a sophomore from Regina, SK, Canada, will compete for the Huskers on the platform. She qualified for the event after grabbing an eighth-place finish and a score of 502.75 at the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships.&nbsp;Clairmont has amassed eight top-three finishes on the season and finished 27th in the event at the Big Ten Championships (182.40).Jorgenson is one of 281 swimmers and Clairmont is one of 41 divers competing in the championship events.Coverage will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 on ESPN+ with the 200 medley relay and the 800 freestyle relay competitions.Nebraska at the NCAA Swimming &amp; Diving ChampionshipsAthens, Ga. (Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium)March 20-23, 2024 (All times central)Thursday, March 21500 Free - Prelims (Gena Jorgenson) - 9 a.m.&nbsp;500 Free - Finals - 5 p.m.Friday, March 22400 IM - Prelims (Gena Jorgenson) - 9 a.m.400 IM - Finals - 5 p.m.Saturday, March 23Platform - Prelims (Kelsey Clairmont) - 9 a.m.1,650 Free - Finals (Gena Jorgenson) - 5 p.m.Platform - Finals - 5 p.m.

Jorgenson, Clairmont head to NCAA Championships

Nebraska gymnast Emma Spence was named a Big Ten Co-Gymnast of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday. She shares the honor with Sierra Brooks of Michigan.&nbsp;

In the Huskers’ meet at Arkansas on Friday, March 15, Spence won the all-around title with a 39.650 that tied her career high. She scored a 9.950 on floor, which also tied her career best, along with a 9.875 on bars, 9.925 on vault and 9.900 on beam. Her beam score earned her a share of the event title.&nbsp;

Along with her personal records, the junior contributed to a team season-high score of 197.375 and season-high scores on vault (49.375) and beam (49.400).&nbsp;

The last time a Husker garnered Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors was on Jan. 22, 2019, when Taylor Houchin won the award. Senior Kinsey Davis has been named a Big Ten Co-Event Specialist of the Week twice this season.&nbsp;

Gymnast:&nbsp;Emma Spence (Nebraska), Sierra Brooks (Michigan)

Event Specialist: Reyna Guggino (Michigan), Olivia Zsarmani (Michigan State), Mya Hooten (Minnesota)

Freshman: Lyden Saltness (Illinois), Jordan Lyden (Minnesota), Kalea McElligott (Penn State)

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska gymnast Emma Spence was named a Big Ten Co-Gymnast of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday. She shares the honor with Sierra Brooks of Michigan.&nbsp;In the Huskers’ meet at Arkansas on Friday, March 15, Spence won the all-around title with a 39.650 that tied her career high. She scored a 9.950 on floor, which also tied her career best, along with a 9.875 on bars, 9.925 on vault and 9.900 on beam. Her beam score earned her a share of the event title.&nbsp;Along with her personal records, the junior contributed to a team season-high score of 197.375 and season-high scores on vault (49.375) and beam (49.400).&nbsp;The last time a Husker garnered Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors was on Jan. 22, 2019, when Taylor Houchin won the award. Senior Kinsey Davis has been named a Big Ten Co-Event Specialist of the Week twice this season.&nbsp;Big Ten Weekly AwardsGymnast:&nbsp;Emma Spence (Nebraska), Sierra Brooks (Michigan)Event Specialist: Reyna Guggino (Michigan), Olivia Zsarmani (Michigan State), Mya Hooten (Minnesota)Freshman: Lyden Saltness (Illinois), Jordan Lyden (Minnesota), Kalea McElligott (Penn State)

Spence tabbed Big Ten Co-Gymnast of the Week

Nebraska has agreed to a contract extension with 2024 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year&nbsp;Fred Hoiberg, as announced by Interim Athletic Director&nbsp;Dennis Leblanc&nbsp;and University of Nebraska Interim President&nbsp;Chris Kabourek&nbsp;on Tuesday.

The new contract with Hoiberg, who has guided Nebraska to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014, extends through the 2028-29 season and will pay the Husker coach $4.25 million next season, with annual increases in each of the subsequent contract years.

“I’m appreciative of the confidence our administration has shown in our staff’s leadership of the Husker basketball program,” Hoiberg said. “With our history at the University of Nebraska, this is a special place for our family. We want to continue to build a program that our fans can embrace and one that represents the values of Nebraskans. With the phenomenal facilities and fan support in place, we are positioned to do things that have never been accomplished by the Husker men’s basketball program.”

Nebraska enters Friday’s NCAA Tournament game against Texas A&amp;M with a 23-10 overall record and a No. 8 seed in the NCAA South Regional. Nebraska’s 23 victories are the second-most in school history and the team’s third-place Big Ten finish was the Huskers’ best since a tie for second in the Big Eight in 1993.

“I have had the opportunity to work closely with five men’s basketball head coaches in my four decades in Nebraska Athletics, and I am more confident than ever in the direction of our men’s basketball program,” Leblanc said. “Coach Hoiberg is a great representative of the University of Nebraska, and our program has shown great progress and improvement over the past two seasons.&nbsp; Fred has shown that he is committed to leading a program that succeeds on the court, in the classroom and in the community. We look forward to watching him and our team play on Friday in the NCAA Tournament.”

Under Hoiberg, Nebraska has improved its win total by six victories or more each of the last two seasons, one of only four Division I programs to accomplish that feat.

“I’m thrilled that we are keeping Coach Hoiberg a Husker,” Kabourek said. “He’s all-in on Nebraska and I love what he’s doing to help our team compete on and off the court. Coach Hoiberg is an outstanding representative of the University of Nebraska and I know he will continue to lead the young men in our basketball program to great success, both as players and as leaders in the classroom and in the community.”

Leblanc and Kabourek also confirmed that discussions are underway with Nebraska Head Women’s Basketball Coach Amy Williams regarding a contract extension to recognize her success in leading the Husker program. The Nebraska women’s basketball team owns a 22-11 record and is making its third NCAA appearance under Williams’ direction. The Huskers take on Texas A&amp;M in Corvallis, Oregon, on Friday evening.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska has agreed to a contract extension with 2024 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year&nbsp;Fred Hoiberg, as announced by Interim Athletic Director&nbsp;Dennis Leblanc&nbsp;and University of Nebraska Interim President&nbsp;Chris Kabourek&nbsp;on Tuesday.The new contract with Hoiberg, who has guided Nebraska to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014, extends through the 2028-29 season and will pay the Husker coach $4.25 million next season, with annual increases in each of the subsequent contract years.“I’m appreciative of the confidence our administration has shown in our staff’s leadership of the Husker basketball program,” Hoiberg said. “With our history at the University of Nebraska, this is a special place for our family. We want to continue to build a program that our fans can embrace and one that represents the values of Nebraskans. With the phenomenal facilities and fan support in place, we are positioned to do things that have never been accomplished by the Husker men’s basketball program.”Nebraska enters Friday’s NCAA Tournament game against Texas A&amp;M with a 23-10 overall record and a No. 8 seed in the NCAA South Regional. Nebraska’s 23 victories are the second-most in school history and the team’s third-place Big Ten finish was the Huskers’ best since a tie for second in the Big Eight in 1993.“I have had the opportunity to work closely with five men’s basketball head coaches in my four decades in Nebraska Athletics, and I am more confident than ever in the direction of our men’s basketball program,” Leblanc said. “Coach Hoiberg is a great representative of the University of Nebraska, and our program has shown great progress and improvement over the past two seasons.&nbsp; Fred has shown that he is committed to leading a program that succeeds on the court, in the classroom and in the community. We look forward to watching him and our team play on Friday in the NCAA Tournament.”Under Hoiberg, Nebraska has improved its win total by six victories or more each of the last two seasons, one of only four Division I programs to accomplish that feat.“I’m thrilled that we are keeping Coach Hoiberg a Husker,” Kabourek said. “He’s all-in on Nebraska and I love what he’s doing to help our team compete on and off the court. Coach Hoiberg is an outstanding representative of the University of Nebraska and I know he will continue to lead the young men in our basketball program to great success, both as players and as leaders in the classroom and in the community.”Leblanc and Kabourek also confirmed that discussions are underway with Nebraska Head Women’s Basketball Coach Amy Williams regarding a contract extension to recognize her success in leading the Husker program. The Nebraska women’s basketball team owns a 22-11 record and is making its third NCAA appearance under Williams’ direction. The Huskers take on Texas A&amp;M in Corvallis, Oregon, on Friday evening.

NU announces contract extension for 2024 Big Ten Coach of Year Fred Hoiberg

Mason McConnaughey recorded a career-high nine strikeouts, as the Huskers picked up their 11th win in the last 13 games with an 11-5 victory vs. Omaha on Tuesday night at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.

Nebraska (14-5) totaled 11 runs on nine hits with two errors while Omaha (3-16) recorded five runs on six hits and a pair of errors.

Will Walsh was 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the fifth inning, becoming the first Husker to homer in three straight games since Max Anderson in 2023.

Josh Caron finished 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI, while Cole Evans drove in a pair of runs. Riley Silva drew a trio of walks, with Joshua Overbeek and Rhett Stokes each tallying three runs scored.

McConnaughey tossed five scoreless innings in his first career start with the Huskers. The sophomore hasn't allowed a run across his last five outings, totaling 12.1 innings pitched with 21 punchouts to only six walks.&nbsp;

Tucker Timmerman allowed four runs, all earned, before Evan Borst, Kyle Perry and Casey Daiss combined to retire seven of the final eight batters.&nbsp;

The Huskers jumped out front with a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. Walks to Silva and Overbeek set up Evans’ two-RBI single to give the Big Red the early advantage.

Nebraska tacked on another run in the second without recording a hit to build the lead to 3-0. Consecutive walks to Stokes and Dylan Carey and a wild pitch placed runners on second and third with one out, while a second wild pitch in the inning brought home Stokes.

McConnaughey worked around a one-out double in the fourth and picked up his eighth strikeout of the night to send a 3-0 game into the bottom of the fourth.

A pair of RBI singles grew the lead to five for the Big Red through four innings. Stokes began the bottom of the fourth with a first-pitch double to center and came around to score on Case Sanderson’s pinch-hit one-out RBI single to center. Silva drew a full-count walk and swiped second before touching home on Overbeek’s RBI single through the right side.

McConnaughey worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fifth, while a pair of extra-base hits extended the lead to seven for the Huskers in the bottom of the fifth.

Walsh homered for the third consecutive game, drilling a one-out 363-foot solo shot into the berm in left field. Stokes drew a two-out walk on full count, while Carey lined an RBI double into the left-center alley to plate Stokes and make it a seven-run game.

Timmerman replaced McConnaughey in the sixth and worked around a one-out infield single to hang a scoreless frame in relief.

Overbeek was hit by the pitch and stole second to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Caron came through by driving in Overbeek on what would have been an RBI double down the left-field line, but the ball ricocheted off the umpire at third base and Caron had to settle with an RBI single.

The Maverick trimmed the Big Red’s eight-run advantage in half with four runs on three hits in the seventh inning. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for Omaha, while Grant Sommers was plunked on the first pitch to plate the Mavericks’ first run.

Noah Greise cleared the bases with a three-RBI double down the left-field line to make it an 8-4 game through seven innings.

Omaha scored its fifth run of the night after a wild pitch and errant throw at third base brought the Mavericks within three.

The Huskers answered immediately with three on two hits and a pair of Omaha errors to grow the Big Red’s lead to 11-5 heading into the ninth inning. Caron tallied his second and third RBI on the night with a double down the right-field line and was driven in on Anglim's single back to the pitcher.

Nebraska returns to play tomorrow night, as the Huskers welcome North Dakota State to Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. Tomorrow night’s first pitch between the Huskers and Bison is set for 6:05 p.m.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsMason McConnaughey recorded a career-high nine strikeouts, as the Huskers picked up their 11th win in the last 13 games with an 11-5 victory vs. Omaha on Tuesday night at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park.Nebraska (14-5) totaled 11 runs on nine hits with two errors while Omaha (3-16) recorded five runs on six hits and a pair of errors.Will Walsh was 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the fifth inning, becoming the first Husker to homer in three straight games since Max Anderson in 2023.Josh Caron finished 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI, while Cole Evans drove in a pair of runs. Riley Silva drew a trio of walks, with Joshua Overbeek and Rhett Stokes each tallying three runs scored.McConnaughey tossed five scoreless innings in his first career start with the Huskers. The sophomore hasn't allowed a run across his last five outings, totaling 12.1 innings pitched with 21 punchouts to only six walks.&nbsp;Tucker Timmerman allowed four runs, all earned, before Evan Borst, Kyle Perry and Casey Daiss combined to retire seven of the final eight batters.&nbsp;The Huskers jumped out front with a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. Walks to Silva and Overbeek set up Evans’ two-RBI single to give the Big Red the early advantage.Nebraska tacked on another run in the second without recording a hit to build the lead to 3-0. Consecutive walks to Stokes and Dylan Carey and a wild pitch placed runners on second and third with one out, while a second wild pitch in the inning brought home Stokes.McConnaughey worked around a one-out double in the fourth and picked up his eighth strikeout of the night to send a 3-0 game into the bottom of the fourth.A pair of RBI singles grew the lead to five for the Big Red through four innings. Stokes began the bottom of the fourth with a first-pitch double to center and came around to score on Case Sanderson’s pinch-hit one-out RBI single to center. Silva drew a full-count walk and swiped second before touching home on Overbeek’s RBI single through the right side.McConnaughey worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fifth, while a pair of extra-base hits extended the lead to seven for the Huskers in the bottom of the fifth.Walsh homered for the third consecutive game, drilling a one-out 363-foot solo shot into the berm in left field. Stokes drew a two-out walk on full count, while Carey lined an RBI double into the left-center alley to plate Stokes and make it a seven-run game.Timmerman replaced McConnaughey in the sixth and worked around a one-out infield single to hang a scoreless frame in relief.Overbeek was hit by the pitch and stole second to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Caron came through by driving in Overbeek on what would have been an RBI double down the left-field line, but the ball ricocheted off the umpire at third base and Caron had to settle with an RBI single.The Maverick trimmed the Big Red’s eight-run advantage in half with four runs on three hits in the seventh inning. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for Omaha, while Grant Sommers was plunked on the first pitch to plate the Mavericks’ first run.Noah Greise cleared the bases with a three-RBI double down the left-field line to make it an 8-4 game through seven innings.Omaha scored its fifth run of the night after a wild pitch and errant throw at third base brought the Mavericks within three.The Huskers answered immediately with three on two hits and a pair of Omaha errors to grow the Big Red’s lead to 11-5 heading into the ninth inning. Caron tallied his second and third RBI on the night with a double down the right-field line and was driven in on Anglim's single back to the pitcher.Nebraska returns to play tomorrow night, as the Huskers welcome North Dakota State to Hawks Field at Haymarket Park. Tomorrow night’s first pitch between the Huskers and Bison is set for 6:05 p.m.

McConnaughey’s career-high nine Strikeouts leads Huskers Past Omaha

The No. 6 seed Nebraska women’s basketball team opens the 2024 NCAA Tournament by tangling with 11th-seeded Texas A&amp;M in the tournament’s first round in Corvallis, Oregon, on March 22.

Tip-off between the Huskers (22-11, 11-7 Big Ten) and the Aggies (19-12, 6-10 SEC) is set for Friday at 9:30 p.m. (CT)/7:30 p.m. (PT) at Gill Coliseum.&nbsp;

The game will be televised live by ESPNU with Jason Ross Jr. and Aja Ellison on the call.

Fans also can listen across the Huskers Radio Network, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and 590 AM in Omaha with Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch calling the action. Pregame will start at 9 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

The Huskers, who ran to a runner-up finish at the TIAA Big Ten Tournament at the Target Center in Minneapolis, March 10, earned a No. 6 NCAA seed after finishing fifth in the Big Ten regular-season standings. The Huskers added wins over Purdue, and NCAA qualifiers Michigan State and Maryland at the conference tournament before falling in overtime to AP No. 3 Iowa and NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed Iowa in the championship game.&nbsp;

The Big Red is 8-3 over its last 11 games with five wins over NCAA Tournament teams during that stretch, including an 82-79 win over then-AP No. 2 and NCAA No. 1 seed Iowa (Feb. 11). Nebraska’s losses during the last 11 games came at No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Iowa in Minneapolis and a one-point loss at NET Top 50 Illinois to end the regular season.

Nebraska’s No. 6 seed is its highest in the NCAA Tournament since 2014, when the Big Ten Tournament champion Huskers earned a No. 4 seed at UCLA and won their most recent game in the Big Dance by beating Fresno State in the first round before falling to BYU in the second round.

In 2013, Nebraska competed as the No. 6 seed and defeated No. 11 Chattanooga in the first round before upsetting No. 3 seed and AP No. 9 Texas A&amp;M at Reed Arena in College Station to advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

First-team All-Big Ten center Alexis Markowski and 2023 first-team All-Big Ten guard Jaz Shelley both earned spots on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Markowski, a 6-3 post from Lincoln, averaged 16.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists in four conference tournament games, including 23 points and 13 rebounds in the championship game. Shelley, a 5-9 point guard from Moe, Australia (pronounced MO-ee) averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists, including 16 points and a career-high 13 assists in the championship game. She had 30 points and nine assists in a semifinal victory over Maryland.&nbsp;

Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year Natalie Potts was outstanding in the Big Ten Tournament as well,&nbsp; averaging 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while tying the Nebraska conference tournament record with nine blocked shots. The 6-2 forward from O’Fallon, Mo., was an eight-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week and claimed honorable-mention All-Big Ten recognition from the league media. The two-time Missouri High School Player of the Year is coming off a 21-point, nine-rebound effort in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Logan Nissley joined Potts on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The 6-0 guard from Bismarck, N.D., has started the last eight games for the Huskers and is averaging 8.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a starter. A teammate of Texas A&amp;M’s Lauren Ware at Bismarck Century, Nissley had 13 points and five assists in the Big Ten Championship Game. Nissley was a three-time North Dakota High School Basketball Player of the Year and a two-time state volleyball player of the year.

#6 Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-11, 11-7 Big Ten)vs. #11 Texas A&amp;M Aggies (19-12, 6-10 SEC)Friday, March 22, 2024, 9:30 (CT)/7:30 p.m. (PT)Gill Coliseum - Corvallis, OregonTelevision:&nbsp;ESPNU (Live Stream ESPN+)Jason Ross Jr. (PBP), Aja Ellison (Analyst)Live Radio:&nbsp;Huskers Radio Network (9 p.m.)Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)B107.3 FM (Lincoln), 590 AM (Omaha)Live Stats:&nbsp;Huskers.com

#6 Nebraska Cornhuskers&nbsp;(22-11, 11-7 Big Ten - NCAA NET 25)22 - Natalie Potts - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 10.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Jr. - C/F - 15.9 ppg, 10.8 rpg1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 13.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg2 - Logan Nissley - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 6.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Jr. - G - 3.2 ppg, 1.3 rpgOff the Bench0 - Darian White - 5-6 - Gr. - G - 6.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg14 - Callin Hake - 5-9 - So. - G - 6.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg12 - Jessica Petrie - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 4.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 3.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 2.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg42 - Maddie Krull - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 2.1 ppg, 1.7 rpgHead Coach:&nbsp;Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)Eighth Season at Nebraska (136-110);&nbsp;17th Season Overall (329-219)

#11 Texas A&amp;M Aggies&nbsp;(19-12, 6-10 SEC - NCAA NET 41)2 - Janiah Barker - 6-4 - So. - F - 12.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg32 - Lauren Ware - 6-5 - RJr. - F - 9.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg1 - Endyia Rogers - 5-7 - Gr. - G - 12.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg5 - Aicha Coulibaly - 6-0 - Sr. - G - 13.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg24 - Sahara Jones - 6-0 - Sr. - G - 7.1 ppg, 5.2 rpgOff the Bench15 - Sole’ Williams - 5-9 - Fr. - G - 5.0 ppg, 1.1 rpg3 - Tineya Hylton - 5-7 - Jr. - G - 4.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg00 - Sydney Bowles - 6-0 - So. - G - 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg14 - Maliyah Johnson - 6-3 - RJr. - F - 2.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg4 - Kay Kay Green - 5-6 - Sr. - G - 2.5 ppg, 1.2 rpgHead Coach:&nbsp;Joni Taylor (Alabama, 2002)Second Season at Texas A&amp;M (28-32);&nbsp;Ninth Season Overall (168-107)

Coach Joni Taylor leads Texas A&amp;M into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 11 seed in Corvallis after taking the Aggies to a 19-12 record that included a 6-10 SEC mark in 2023-24.

Taylor is in her second season with the Aggies, who have improved 10 games in the win column over a 9-20 campaign in 2022-23. The 2021 SEC Coach of the Year at Georgia, Taylor spent seven seasons leading the Bulldogs to four NCAA Tournaments, including three trips to the second round.

Texas A&amp;M has lost four of its last five games, with all four games coming to NCAA Tournament teams (Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama and No. 1 South Carolina). The Aggies picked up a decisive 72-56 win over Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament first round, effectively knocking the Bulldogs out of the NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;

Texas A&amp;M features a strong starting five led by Aicha Coulibaly, who averages 13.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and a team-best 2.4 steals per game. Coulibaly has hit just 22 percent (9-41) of her threes on the season. Coulibaly, from Bamako, Mali, attended IMG Academy before spending her first three seasons at Auburn.

Endyia Rogers, a 5-9 graduate point guard, has added 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and a team-leading 3.9 assists. A&amp;M’s most prolific three-point threat, Rogers has hit 34.1 percent (47-138) from long range. She missed several games with an injury but returned to action at the SEC Tournament. Rogers spent her first two seasons at USC, before playing the past two years at Oregon.&nbsp;

Sahara Jones rounds out the Aggie backcourt with 7.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. The 6-0 guard supplies suffocating defense but has hit just 11-of-56 threes (.196) and 65.6 percent of her free throws. Jones was A&amp;M’s No. 2 scorer (9.2 ppg) last season.

As a team, Texas A&amp;M is hitting just 27.9 percent of its three-point attempts while connecting on just 5.2 three-pointers per game. However, the Aggies have shut down the opposition from long range, holding foes to just 4.7 threes per game. The Huskers are averaging 8.5 threes per game.

Janiah Barker, a 6-4 sophomore forward, leads A&amp;M inside with 12.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. She is also a threat from long range, hitting 21-of-63 threes (.333). She was A&amp;M’s leading scorer a year ago at 12.7 points per game.

Lauren Ware, who spent her first three seasons at Arizona, has added more size and defensive dominance. The 6-5 redshirt junior averages 9.1 points and team bests of 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. She was a high school teammate of Nebraska Big Ten All-Freshman guard Logan Nissley at Bismarck Century High School in 2019-20.

Maliyah Johnson adds depth in the post for the Aggies. The 6-3 redshirt junior is averaging 2.9 points and 3.2 rebounds behind Barker, who has fouled out five times this season, and Ware, who has fouled out twice.

Freshman Sole’ Williams has provided a long range threat off the bench by hitting 33.7 percent (31-92) of her threes while averaging 5.0 points per game.

Tineya Hylton (4.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg), Sydney Bowles (3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and Kay Kay Green (2.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg) add more backcourt depth in A&amp;M’s 10-player rotation. Bowles (9.1 ppg, 2022-23) and Green (7.2 ppg, 2022-23) were regular starters for the Aggies last season.

As a team, Texas A&amp;M is averaging 68.7 points and hitting 41 percent from the field, but just 67.8 percent from the free throw line. The Aggies own a plus-7.5 rebound margin and a plus-1.9 turnover margin. They have held opponents to just 58.6 points on 37.1 percent shooting.

After going 12-1 in non-conference play, A&amp;M averaged just 61.9 points in SEC play, while allowing 65.5 points. The Aggies hit just 39.5 percent of their shots against league foes, including just 27.2 percent of their threes. They managed a plus-1.9 rebound margin in conference play and held a minus-1.1 turnover margin. SEC foes hit 34.8 percent of their threes against A&amp;M and 76.3 percent of their free throws.

Nebraska and Texas A&amp;M have faced three common opponents this year. The Aggies defeated Purdue 72-58 in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nov. 16). The Huskers went 3-0 against Purdue, including a 77-65 win at Mackey Arena (Feb. 17). Texas A&amp;M defeated Kansas 63-52 in College Station (Dec. 3), while the Huskers fell to the Jayhawks in Lawrence 69-52 (Dec. 20). A&amp;M defeated Lamar 83-51 in College Station (Dec. 6), just two weeks after Nebraska beat Lamar 75-61 (Nov. 23) in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Nebraska vs. Texas A&amp;M Series History

Nebraska leads the all-time series with Texas A&amp;M 15-9, including No. 24 NU’s 74-63 win at No. 9 Texas A&amp;M in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament in College Station on March 25, 2013. The sixth-seeded Huskers upset the third-seeded Aggies at Reed Arena to advance to the 2013 NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Lindsey Moore led Nebraska with 20 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Jordan Hooper added 21 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Texan Hailie Sample pitched in her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Friday’s game between the Huskers and Aggies will mark the first time in 10 games that at least one of the two teams was not ranked in the AP Top 25, although Nebraska enters the NCAA Tournament at No. 25 in the NET rankings. Both teams were ranked in the top 25 in three of the last four meetings, including Texas A&amp;M’s 80-70 win over the Huskers in the 2010 Big 12 Tournament semifinals. The No. 11 Aggies handed the 30-0 Huskers their first loss of the season. Texas A&amp;M went on to win the 2010 Big 12 Tournament title after Nebraska won the Big 12 regular-season crown as the first team ever to go undefeated (16-0) in Big 12 regular-season play. Nebraska went on to earn a No. 1 seed in the 2010 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Texas A&amp;M lost in the NCAA second round by one point to Gonzaga in Seattle.

Nebraska and Texas A&amp;M met every season as Big 12 foes from 1996-97 through 2010-11, before the Huskers joined the Big Ten and the Aggies headed to the SEC. The No. 5 Aggies defeated the Huskers 84-49 in Nebraska’s last regular-season Big 12 game (March 5, 2011) in College Station.

The first meeting between the two programs came on Feb. 27, 1981, when the Huskers defeated Texas A&amp;M, 71-64, in College Station. Nebraska was victorious in nine of the first 10 meetings in series history, ending with a 74-71 win in Lincoln on Jan. 22, 2000.&nbsp;

Nebraska is 8-1 all-time against Texas A&amp;M in Lincoln, including a 71-60 win by the No. 4 Huskers over the No. 12 Aggies at the Devaney Center on Feb. 6, 2010 - the last meeting between the two teams in Lincoln. The series is tied 6-6 in College Station. Texas A&amp;M owns a 2-1 edge on neutral courts with all three meetings coming at the Big 12 Tournament (Kansas City-1999, 2010; Dallas-2006).

The Nebraksa men’s and women’s basketball teams both won at least 22 games in the same season for the first time in school history, as both teams advanced to March Madness for the first time together since 2014. The Husker men (23-10) earned the No. 8 seed and will also play Texas A&amp;M in the first round at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday at 5:50 p.m. (TNT).

Nebraska and Texas A&amp;M are two of just 22 schools to place both their men’s and women’s teams&nbsp; in the 2024 NCAA Basketball Tournaments. The only other Big Ten school with both teams in the field is Michigan State, and both of the Spartan teams earned No. 9 seeds.

The 2024 season marks the fourth time in school history that both the Husker men’s and women’s teams have made the NCAA fields together, joining the 1993, 1998 and 2014 seasons. The Husker women won NCAA Tournament games in each of those three seasons.

The Husker women are making their second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three years, joining a trip as a No. 8 seed in 2022. The Huskers lost 68-55 to No. 9 seed Gonzaga in Louisville, Ky. (March 18, 2022).

Nebraska’s last NCAA Tournament win came against Fresno State (74-55, March 22, 2014) at UCLA in the 2014 NCAA First Round.

The Huskers have advanced to a pair of NCAA Sweet Sixteens in school history, with the most recent coming in 2013 as a No. 6 seed through No. 3 seed Texas A&amp;M in College Station. Nebraska advanced to its first-ever NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2010, when the Huskers earned a No. 1 seed.

Nebraska is making its 16th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and its fourth as a No. 6 seed. The Huskers are 8-15 all-time in the Big Dance and 3-3 as a No. 6 seed. The Huskers won their first-ever NCAA Tournament game as a No. 6 seed with an 81-58 win over San Diego in Lincoln (March 17, 1993). The 1993 Huskers followed with a loss at No. 3 seed USC in Los Angeles.

The No. 6 Huskers lost to No. 11 Kansas in 2012 in Little Rock, before advancing to the 2013 NCAA Sweet Sixteen as a No. 6 seed with wins over No. 11 Chattanooga and No. 3 Texas A&amp;M in College Station, Texas.

Nebraska made its only trip in history to Corvallis in 1995-96, when the Huskers lost at No. 17 Oregon State, 89-65, on Dec. 2, 1995 in the Gazette Times Classic. Current Nebraska Head Coach Amy Williams was on the Husker roster but did not play in the game.

The only other trip to Oregon the Huskers have ever made came with a 73-67 loss at Oregon in Eugene on Jan. 3, 1985 - the only meeting in history with the Ducks.

Nebraska is 0-3 all-time against Oregon State, dating back to an 84-71 loss to the Beavers at the California Invitational (Dec. 5, 1980). NU’s most recent meeting with Oregon State ended with a 75-67 loss to OSU in the WNIT on March 22, 2004 at the Devaney Center in Lincoln.

Both Nebraska (Jaz Shelley) and Texas A&amp;M (Endyia Rogers) feature point guards who are transfers from Oregon. Shelley is in her third season at Nebraska after spending her first two seasons (2019-20, 2020-21) with the Ducks. Shelley is averaging 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and team bests of 5.6 assists and 1.7 steals. Rogers spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons at Oregon after playing her first two seasons (2019-20, 2020-21) with USC. Rogers is averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and a team-best 3.9 assists.

Markowski Climbs to Top of Double-Double List

Nebraska’s Alexis Markowski is making history as the top double-double producer in the history of Husker basketball. Markowski has notched 19 double-doubles in 33 games this season to join first-team All-Americans Kelsey Griffin (2006-10) and Jordan Hooper (2011-14) atop the Husker career double-doubles list with 40. Griffin and Hooper both produced their school records in four full seasons of starting every game for the Big Red, while Markowski is closing her third season.

Markowski’s next double-double will put her alone atop Nebraska’s career double-doubles list and will give her 20 on the season, matching Griffin’s school-record 20 as a first-team All-American and National Player of the Year finalist in 2009-10.

A first-team All-Big Ten selection, Markowski produced her most recent double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds in Nebraska’s Big Ten Championship Game overtime loss to No. 3 Iowa in Minneapolis (March 10).

The Big Ten All-Tournament choice also posted a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win over Michigan State (March 8).

Markowski, who earned her second appearance on the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List, ranks second in the Big Ten in rebounding at 10.8 boards per game, including 11.5 in conference play. She also ranks seventh in the league in scoring at 15.9 points per game.

She produced the biggest double-double of her career with 20 points and 21 rebounds in a 77-65 road win at Purdue (Feb. 17). It was just the fifth 20-point, 20-rebound performance in Husker history. She added 12 points and 10 boards in a win over Northwestern (Feb. 20), before contributing 10 points and 12 boards in a win over Minnesota (Feb. 24).

Markowski has scored in double figures 31 times in 33 games this season, including eight 20-point performances. She was held to nine points and 16 rebounds at No. 2 Ohio State (Feb. 14) and had nine points and 13 rebounds in a Big Ten semifinal win over Maryland (March 9).

The 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Markowski earned her second straight appearance on the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List this year. Last season, as the only sophomore on the list, she advanced to the Midseason Top 10 for the award.

Markowski ranks sixth on the Nebraska career rebound list with 942.

With 13 rebounds in the Big Ten Championship Game (March 10), Alexis Markowski pushed her season total to 355, passing first-team All-American Kelsey Griffin (354, 2009-10) for the No. 3 spot on Nebraska’s single-season rebounding list.

Markowski’s 355 rebounds are the second-highest total by a junior in school history, trailing only 417 boards by Janet Smith (1980-81).

Markowski also set Nebraska’s Big Ten Tournament rebounding record with 45 boards in four tournament games in 2024, including three straight double-figure rebound games to close the tournament. She has pulled down double-figure boards in eight of Nebraska’s last 10 contests.

She has averaged 12.3 rebounds over the last 10 games to help the Huskers to a 7-3 record down the stretch, including four wins over NCAA Tournament teams, beginning with a win over then-No. 2 Iowa (Feb. 11).

Markowski, who owns 21 double-digit rebound performances on the season, owns 942 career rebounds in three seasons to rank No. 6 in Husker history.&nbsp;

Shelley, Markowski Named to Big Ten All-Tournament Team

Jaz Shelley and Alexis Markowski produced two of the best individual performances by Huskers in conference tournament history to earn spots on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team following Nebraska’s appearance in the championship game (March 10) at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Shelley set the Nebraska conference (Big Ten, Big 12, Big Eight) tournament scoring record with 82 points (20.5 ppg), breaking the mark set by first-team All-American and 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year Jordan Hooper who scored 79 points in leading the Huskers to a championship game appearance in 2012.Shelley also broke NU’s tournament assist record with 34 (8.0 apg), breaking the mark of 30 set by 2014 Big Ten Tournament MVP Rachel Theriot. Shelley also smashed Nebraska’s conference tournament season (16) and career (35) three-point records. The previous conference tournament three-point mark was held by Hooper, who hit 20. Hooper hit her 20 threes in four seasons as a starter, while Shelley has played just three seasons at Nebraska.

Shelley set the Big Ten Tournament single-game three-point record with nine threes against Illinois on her way to 32 points in a win over Illinois in 2022. The nine threes are also an overall Nebraska individual three-point record.

Markowski added a record performance of her own with 45 rebounds (11.3 rpg) over four conference tournament games. Her 45 boards were not only a Nebraska record but the second-highest total by any player in Big Ten Tournament history. Markowsk’s 66 points were the fifth-most ever scored by a Husker in a conference tournament, while her 15 assists were also the fifth-most by a Husker in a conference tournament. The only players with more assists in conference tournament history than Markowski are the three best point guards in school history (Lindsey Moore, Jaz Shelley and Rachel Theriot).

Markowski Named First-Team All-Big TenAlexis Markowski led an impressive hardware haul by the Huskers when All-Big Ten teams were announced on Tuesday, March 5. The 6-3 center from Lincoln, Neb., captured first-team all-conference honors for the first time after claiming second-team accolades in 2023 and 2022, when she was also the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Markowski, who ranks second in the Big Ten in rebounding (10.8 rpg) and seventh in scoring (15.9 ppg), has produced 19 double-doubles during the season, including 11 in Big Ten play and two more in the Big Ten Tournament. She was named to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll seven times in 2023-24.&nbsp;

Jaz Shelley, a 2023 first-team All-Big Ten selection, claimed second-team All-Big Ten honors for the second time in three seasons at Nebraska. The 5-9 guard from Moe, Australia (pronounced MO-ee) was a second-team All-Big Ten choice in 2022, when she was also a member of the media’s Big Ten All-Defensive Team.&nbsp;

Shelley ranks second among the Huskers in scoring (13.7 ppg), while leading the team in assists (5.6 apg), steals (1.7 spg) and made three-pointers (82). She has added 4.2 rebounds per game.

Shelley and Markowski were both preseason first-team All-Big Ten heading into the 2023-24 season, and Markowski was also preseason first-team All-Big Ten in 2022-23.

Potts Earns Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award

Natalie Potts capped an outstanding first season at Nebraska by being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the conference coaches on Tuesday, March 5.

The 6-2 forward from O’Fallon, Mo., claimed her eighth Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award (March 4), before earning NU’s third Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year honor in the last eight years.

The Big Ten’s most consistent freshman from start to finish since earning the league’s first freshman-of-the-week honor (Nov. 13), Potts claimed at least one weekly award in all five months of the campaign. Her eight weekly honors matched teammate Alexis Markowski’s award total from her 2022 Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year campaign.

A two-time Missouri MaxPreps High School Player of the Year, Potts averaged 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals over the last two weeks of the regular season.

She added 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in helping the Huskers to the Big Ten Championship Game, where she finished with 21 points and nine rebounds against No. 3 Iowa.

For the season, she led all Big Ten freshmen in rebounding (5.6 rpg) and field goal percentage (.509), while ranking second in scoring (10.6 ppg). She also ranked among freshman leaders in free throw percentage (.824).

A unanimous choice by the coaches to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, Potts has produced five double-doubles, including 15 points and 11 rebounds in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win over Michigan State (March 8). She also had game highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Northwestern (Feb. 20), on her way to her seventh Big Ten weekly freshman honor.

Potts, who has started all 33 games for the Big Red, was named the No. 14 impact freshman in the nation by ESPN on Dec. 22. She is just the 10th freshman in school history to start every game of her first season, and her next start will match Lindsey Moore (34, 2009-10) for the most starts in school history by a freshman.

Potts owns 20 double-figure scoring games on the season, including her second 20-point effort of the year with 21 points in the Big Ten Championship Game against No. 3 Iowa. She scored a season-high 22 points against Lamar (Nov. 23).

She earned her sixth Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award with 14 points and six rebounds in Nebraska’s 82-79 upset of No. 2 Iowa (Feb. 11). She produced eight points and five rebounds in helping the Huskers outscore the Hawkeyes 27-10 in the decisive fourth quarter. It followed a 12-point performance in a huge road win at Michigan (Feb. 6).&nbsp;

Potts had 11 points, six rebounds and a career-high four steals in a win over Purdue (Jan. 31).&nbsp;

Potts produced her third career double-double with game highs of 13 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Michigan (Jan. 17).

She posted her second double-double with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in NU’s win over Maryland (Dec. 31), including 13 points and 12 boards in the second half.&nbsp;

Potts scored all 16 of her points in the second half in a win at Wisconsin (Jan. 4). She opened league play with 10 points, five boards and two blocks in a win at Michigan State (Dec. 9).&nbsp;

Potts had 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes in a win over UNCW (Dec. 5).&nbsp;

Potts won her second Big Ten Freshman award (Nov. 22) after averaging 14.0 points in two games at the St. Pete Showcase. She opened the week with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field, including a three-pointer, in a 75-61 win over Lamar.

She opened another strong week by notching her first double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Florida Atlantic (Nov. 29). She followed with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal in a win over Georgia Tech (Dec. 2).

Potts averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block to earn her first Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award (Nov. 13).

She backed up her opening week with 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in her second week, including 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting against No. 22 Creighton (Nov. 19). She had seven points, 11 rebounds and a career-high three blocks in a win over Alcorn State (Nov. 14).

Nissley Joins Potts on Big Ten All-Freshman Team