Both Nebraska and Baylor did not have ideal starts to their season. After struggling in conference play, both teams were essentially written off as non-tournament contenders. However, late season turnarounds got them both in the big dance and now the fight continues to see who can advance to the Round of 32.
Nebraska and Baylor were a combined 2-11 at the start of conference play. Both teams appeared to be irrelevant in their respective conferences. However, both put together surprising late-season runs to earn spots in the tournament.
The Cornhuskers got a No. 11 seed, reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998. They won 10 of their last 13 games to get in. Nebraska's history in the tournament is not good. The Cornhuskers are 0-6 in the first round. The team is relishing their turnaround season under second-year coach Tim Miles, but if they bask in the spotlight too long, Baylor will upset them.
The Bears had high expectations coming into the season. They failed to meet them at the start of the year, but a late-season surge in the Big 12 turned things around. They reached the finals of the Big 12 tournament, winning 10 of their last 11 before getting knocked off by Iowa State. The Bears went from a bubble team to a No. 6 seed as a result.
Baylor's early pitfalls were on defense. The team struggled in man-to-man coverage, switching to a zone system later in the year. That resulted in opponents shooting just 42.4 percent from the field. Isiah Austin is a big reason for that push. The center put up a record-setting 18 blocks in the Big 12 tournament while anchoring the front court. He will be Nebraska's toughest matchup.
Nebraska's last game saw them blow an 18-point lead to Ohio State. Terran Petteway is looking to avoid that after leading the Big Ten in scoring with 18.1 points per game. He has scored over 20 points in his last five of eight games.
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