-
Kurt Johnson
The annual hype and anticipation circling around the NCAA basketball tournament will resonate far beyond the die-hard sports fan this year as we have a little extra skin in the game for March Madness.
This is always an exciting tournament to watch, but the 2024 version offers local fans a trifecta of fun. Our beloved Huskers, times two with both the men’s and women’s teams earning decent seeds, and local native Baylor Scheierman and his Creighton Bluejays are all hoping to make some noise on college basketball’s biggest stage.
As if there aren’t already enough storylines to keep fans buzzing, the Texas A&M factor seems like a no-call foul on the folks behind NCAA’s magic curtain. The Trev Alberts AD transition is a story in and of itself for another day, but for both the Husker men and women to draw the Aggies seems more than ironic. It is what it is, as they say, but I for one am hoping that by Friday that angle and video clips of Alberts wearing maroon won’t be a distraction.
Fact is, the 23-10 Huskers played some terrific hoops this season with Fred Hoiberg finally getting the players and breaks he needed to help this program turn the corner. This team plays with passion and is fun to watch, giving Husker fans reason to believe that this could be the year for a first-ever dance in the second round. Wouldn’t that be something!
The Lady Huskers posted an equally impressive record at 22-11 and take a No. 6 seed into its opening-round tilt. Jaz Shelley, Alexis Markowski and Co. also bring high energy to the court each time out and have become a top tier team in the Big Ten. On paper it looks like the NU women could make some serious noise in this tournament field.
And then we have Aurora’s own Baylor Scheierman, who has been lighting up the hoops and local basketball hopes since he first wore a Husky uniform. Baylor has been an outstanding ambassador for his old hometown throughout his career and to see him excel at this level is truly amazing. As a No. 3 seed, Creighton is poised to make a deep run this year, with big No. 55 front and center.
My office pool tournament brackets are usually laughable, but this year I’m dialed in more than ever. Whether you cheer for the red, blue or both this year, here’s hoping for a winning trifecta.
Let the madness begin.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@hamilton.net
