The Troy Trojans will play against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This first-round game in the South Region will take place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK. The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 12:40 PM ET and will be broadcast on truT.
The Troy Trojans had a strong regular season with a 22-11 overall record and a 14-6 record in the Sun Belt Conference. Recently, they won against Georgia Southern by 16 points, Southern Miss by 8 points, and Louisiana-Monroe by 15 points. Last year, they lost in the first round of the tournament to Kentucky.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers finished their regular season with a 26-6 overall record and a 15-6 record in the Big Ten Conference. They are ranked 15th in the AP poll. In recent games, they lost to Purdue by 16 points and UCLA by 20 points, but they won against Iowa by 9 points. Last postseason, they had victories over teams like Arizona State and Georgetown.
Nebraska Preview
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are ranked 15th in the AP poll. They play in the Big Ten Conference. Their regular season record for 2026 is 26 wins and 6 losses. In conference play, they have 15 wins and 6 losses.
In the 2025 postseason, Nebraska won four games. They beat Arizona State 86-78 and Georgetown 81-69. They also won against Boise State 79-69 and UCF 77-66. These wins show their ability to perform well in important games.
In recent games, Nebraska had mixed results. They lost to Purdue 74-58 and UCLA 72-52. However, they won against Iowa with a score of 84-75. Pryce Sandfort and Sam Hoiberg have been key players in these games.
For the 2026 season, Nebraska scores an average of 77.3 points per game. They have a strong effective field goal percentage of 55.4. The team makes 10.5 three-pointers per game, ranking 37th. They also have 18 assists per game, which is 19th overall.
Troy Preview
The Troy Trojans play in the Sun Belt Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they reached the Midwest Region first round. They lost to Kentucky with a score of 76-57. This year, they have an overall record of 22-11 and a conference record of 14-6.
In recent games, the Trojans have been strong at home. They won against Georgia Southern Eagles 77-61. Thomas Dowd scored 23 points and had 13 rebounds in that game. Jerrell Bellamy and Victor Valdes also contributed with double-digit points.
Another home win came against Southern Miss Golden Eagles with a score of 78-70. Jerrell Bellamy led with 22 points. Thomas Dowd and Victor Valdes also played key roles in the victory. The team showed consistent performance in these games.
The Trojans have a solid offense, scoring 80.3 points per game. They are effective in rebounding, with 38.3 rebounds per game. Their defense records 8.0 steals per game. Players like Thomas Dowd and Victor Valdes are key contributors to the team’s success.
Statistical Breakdown for Nebraska vs Troy
The game between Nebraska and Troy will be influenced by several key stats. Nebraska’s strong three-point shooting and effective field goal percentage could give them an edge. Meanwhile, Troy’s ability to score and rebound effectively will be crucial. Both teams have players who can make significant contributions, making these stats vital for the outcome.
- Nebraska Points Per Game: 77.3
- Troy Points Per Game: 80.3
- Nebraska Effective Field Goal %: 55.4
- Troy Effective Field Goal %: 52.5
- Nebraska 3PT Made Per Game: 10.5
- Troy 3PT Made Per Game: 9.3
- Nebraska Assists Per Game: 18.0
- Troy Assists Per Game: 16.0
- Nebraska Rebounds Per Game: 34.9
- Troy Rebounds Per Game: 38.3
- Nebraska Steals Per Game: 7.2
- Troy Steals Per Game: 8.0
Betting Insights
The Troy Trojans and Nebraska Cornhuskers are set for an exciting game. Troy has been strong in recent games, both straight up and against the spread. Nebraska has struggled lately, especially in straight-up results. Here are the top betting trends to consider for this game:
- Troy is 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games.
- Troy is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Troy is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Troy is 16-8 ATS as a favorite.
- Nebraska is 6-5 ATS as an underdog.
Free Betting Prediction for Nebraska vs Troy
Nebraska has a strong record this season. They have shown the ability to perform well in important games. Their effective field goal percentage and three-point shooting are strengths. However, recent losses to Purdue and UCLA may affect their confidence.
Troy has been performing well, especially at home. They have a solid offense and are strong in rebounding. Players like Thomas Dowd and Jerrell Bellamy have been key. Their recent success against the spread shows they can compete.
Considering the stats and recent performances, Nebraska is favored to win. However, Troy’s ability to cover the spread makes them a good choice. Nebraska’s recent struggles and Troy’s strong play suggest a closer game than the odds indicate.
- Our Free Prediction: Troy +13.5
