The X-factor for Nebraska basketball in March Madness

The Nebraska basketball team has earned another berth in the NCAA tournament, the ninth in program history.

The fourth-seeded Huskers, who earned their second-highest seed ever in the big dance, will take on 22-win Troy, a team that won the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament titles.

We have broken that matchup down. It favors Nebraska, but there are reasons to worry about Troy, a team that excels at 3-point shooting, offensive rebounds, and forcing turnovers.

The Huskers need to take care of the ball. They need to win the rebounding battle, and make 3-point shots. They also need the real Braden Frager to please stand up.

Over the last three games, Frager has scored just 16 points total on 5 of 15 shooting. The redshirt freshman who won Big Ten Freshman of the Year has made just 1 of 9 from 3-point range.

That’s not going to cut it in the NCAA Tournament.

In five of Nebraska’s six losses, Frager has either not played (Michigan) or been held to single digits. Only once this season has Frager scored in double figures, and Nebraska lost (Illinois).

Nebraska basketball is 16-1 this season when Frager scores at least 10 points. Nebraska has won games without Frager scoring in double figures, but it has been a common denominator in five of six losses this season.

Just something to watch on Thursday against Troy and moving forward.

Nebraska women’s basketball wins at Cameron Indoor

Britt Prince led the Huskers with 22 points on 10 of 14 shooting as Nebraska women’s basketball defeated Richmond 76-57 to advance to the round of 64 in the NCAA tournament.

It was the second tournament win for the Huskers in the past three seasons. Callin Hake buried four 3-pointers on her way to 14 points. Nebraska will play Baylor on Friday.

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