What's happened
The Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team won their 18th straight game, beating Michigan State 58-56 at home. The victory, part of their best start in program history, sparked a court-storming celebration. Coach Mast emphasized the importance of maintaining focus despite recent success, highlighting the team's underdog mentality and future challenges.
What's behind the headline?
The Huskers' current winning streak signifies a notable shift in their program's trajectory, challenging long-standing perceptions of Nebraska basketball. The victory over Michigan State, a top-ranked opponent, underscores their growing competitiveness. Coach Mast's comments about 'supposed to win' reflect a new confidence, yet his caution about staying poised indicates awareness of the team's volatility. This success could boost recruiting and fan engagement, but the team must avoid complacency to sustain their momentum. The emphasis on maintaining an underdog mentality suggests they view their rise as a surprise to outsiders, which could serve as motivation. However, their lack of NCAA Tournament wins remains a psychological hurdle that this streak might help overcome, potentially transforming Nebraska into a more formidable contender in the future.
What the papers say
The articles from NY Post and AP News both report on Nebraska's recent victory and winning streak, emphasizing the significance of the 14-0 start and the emotional response from fans. The coverage highlights the team's historic performance and the coach's comments about expectations. The articles are consistent in their portrayal, with AP News providing additional context about the team's previous achievements and challenges. The coverage from both sources underscores the importance of this streak for Nebraska's basketball program, framing it as a potential turning point despite ongoing hurdles.
How we got here
Nebraska's men's basketball team has been on a historic run, winning 18 consecutive games since last season. They won the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament last April and have already defeated ranked teams like Illinois. The Huskers are the only power conference team yet to win an NCAA Tournament game, but their recent performance signals a shift in expectations.
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