With March Madness creeping closer, the latest NCAA bracketology projections are stirring up controversy in the Cornhusker State. Nebraska, Creighton, and Omaha all find themselves at the center of a heated national debate—not because of their dominance, but because of how the latest projections have treated them. Fans are fuming, analysts are split, and the bracket buzz is boiling over.
Let’s start with the Huskers. Nebraska, in the midst of one of its most promising seasons in recent memory, finds itself on the bubble—or worse, on the outside looking in. Despite signature wins, solid metrics, and strong Big Ten performances, the Huskers were left barely clinging to a First Four spot, or in some cases, omitted entirely from projections. The narrative? Not enough firepower, not enough respect. But anyone watching closely knows that this Nebraska squad has grit, balance, and the kind of defensive toughness that could cause problems in the tournament.
For Nebraska fans, the omission stings. They’ve endured years of heartbreak, and just when it seems like the program is turning a corner under Fred Hoiberg, the bracketologists seem hesitant to give them their due. The numbers tell one story, but the eye test tells another—and Husker fans believe the selection committee better open its eyes before it’s too late.
Then there’s Creighton. On the surface, the Bluejays are in a good spot—comfortably seeded, even projected as a top-five seed in most mock brackets. But that’s exactly where the controversy begins. Are they really that good? Or are the projections riding too high on preseason hype and name recognition?
Creighton has been inconsistent this season. One night they look like Final Four material, the next they’re dropping winnable games in Big East play. Their offense is elite when it’s clicking, but defensive lapses and a lack of bench depth have exposed them more than once. Still, the bracketologists seem sold. For Nebraska fans—especially those who feel their team is being shortchanged—it’s a bitter pill to watch their in-state rival bask in national love, even while Creighton’s flaws are overlooked.
And what about Omaha? The Mavericks have quietly put together a competitive season in the Summit League, but once again, they’re invisible in the national conversation. No bracket talk, no bubble buzz—nothing. It’s the same story every year: mid-majors like Omaha have to be nearly perfect just to get noticed, and even then, a single slip-up can cost them everything. The lack of respect is frustrating, especially given the growing parity in college hoops.
The frustration across Nebraska is palpable. Three programs with three very different fates, none of them sitting quite right. Whether it’s the underappreciated Huskers, the overhyped Jays, or the overlooked Mavericks, this year’s bracketology feels more like bracket blasphemy to fans in the Heartland.
As March creeps closer, there’s still time for the narrative to change. But one thing’s for sure: Nebraska basketball isn’t going quietly, and if the bracket makers keep sleeping, they might be in for a rude awakening come tournament time.
