Opening odds predict another dog fight between Nebraska and Iowa in Sweet 16

It’s crazy that Nebraska basketball has advanced to the Sweet 16. What’s even crazier is that the team waiting for the Huskers is Iowa.

The Hawkeyes advanced to their first Sweet 16 in 26 years after knocking out Florida, the defending national champions, with a late 3-pointer in a 72-71 win.

Ninth-seeded Iowa bested Clemson from the ACC in the first round, sending the Hawkeyes to the second weekend in their first season under head coach Ben McCollum.

It’s amazing what happens when you actually decide to play defense, something Iowa teams were allergic to doing under Fran McCaffrey. You even saw it late against Florida, which rallied to take the lead with just a few minutes left, but couldn’t seal the deal.

Oddsmakers expecting a battle between Nebraska and Iowa in Houston

In two games this season, Nebraska basketball and Iowa split. The Hawkeyes won 57-52 in Iowa City. Afterward, a fan approached Fred Hoiberg, who knocked his phone out of his hand.

Then, later in the season, Nebraska beat Iowa in overtime, thanks to a pair of clutch 3-pointers from Cale Jacobsen. Each team has a win on its home court. The winner of the neutral court meeting on Thursday in Houston will head to the Elite 8.

After seeing how many Nebraska fans packed the house in Oklahoma City, it’s hard to see this being a true neutral floor. It will be tilted in favor of the Big Red.

The odds are in Nebraska’s favor, too. Iowa is a 2.5-point underdog to Nebraska in the opening odds. That feels right but doesn’t mean squat. This game is going to be a war.

The survivor will be one win from the Final Four. Tip-off time on Thursday is 6:30 PM CST. The game will be shown on TBS.

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