Men’s March Madness 2026: Gonzaga-Texas Clash, Houston Dominates, Duke Defeats TCU

Nebraska is one win from the Sweet 16 after a landmark tournament victory. The Cornhuskers face Vanderbilt at 8:45 p.m. ET on TNT.

Nebraska’s recent surge

The program recorded its first NCAA Tournament win two days earlier. Nebraska routed Troy, 76-47, in a dominant performance.

Pryce Sandfort led the attack. He made seven of 12 three-point attempts and finished with 23 points and five rebounds.

Troy shot just 28.3 percent from the field. The Trojans also committed 17 turnovers against the Husker defense.

Nebraska entered the tournament with the seventh-best defensive rating in the nation, according to KenPom.

Vanderbilt’s path

Vanderbilt advanced with a 78-68 win over McNeese State in the opening round. McNeese State is the Southland Conference champion.

Sophomore guard Tyler Tanner paced the Commodores. He finished with a game-high 26 points and five assists.

Tanner scored 17 points in the second half. He shot 5-of-10 in that period to help close out the victory.

The Commodores are seeking their first Sweet 16 appearance in 19 years.

What will decide the game

Nebraska’s stingy defense meets a potent Vanderbilt offense. The Commodores carry a top-10 offensive rating on KenPom into this matchup.

Turnovers and three-point accuracy will matter most. Nebraska forced many mistakes against Troy, and Vanderbilt must limit giveaways.

Pacing could determine the outcome. If Vanderbilt controls tempo, Nebraska must convert defensive stops into transition points.

Tournament context

The bracket has delivered major storylines across the field. Fans are also watching a Gonzaga-Texas clash elsewhere in the bracket.

Other marquee results have emerged, including games where Houston dominates and a notable outing when Duke defeats TCU.

This game offers a rare chance for Nebraska to reach the second weekend. A win would send the Huskers into the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.