Photos: Men's Nebrasketball fans celebrate the first NCAA tourney victory against Troy
See our favorite moments as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watch their team face off against Troy on March 19, 2026, at the N-Zone sports bar in Lincoln.
Nellie Hearnen (right) calls out “Go Big Red!” with a makeshift water-cup megaphone as Molly Dunn (left) reacts as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watch their team face off against Troy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the The NZone sports bar in Lincoln. The Huskers 76-47 win marked the first NCAA tournament victory for the team. Hearnen said she’s been a Huskers fan since her daughter began attending UNL two decades ago. “We’re on fire,” she said. “I love the team—they’re just a class act.”
Amy Filipi (from Lincoln) bites her Huskers-swag medallion as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watch their team face off against Troy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the The NZone sports bar in Lincoln. The Huskers 76-47 win marked the first NCAA tournament victory for the team. “Sweet Sixteen, baby!” Filipi said.
Free Bud Light sits locked in a “Victory Fridge” waiting to be busted open at the end of the game as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watch their team face off against Troy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the The NZone sports bar in Lincoln. The Huskers 76-47 win marked the first NCAA tournament victory for the team.
Lincoln locals Sarah Gibson (left) Amy Filipi (center) and Molly Dunn (right) react as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watch their team face off against Troy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the The NZone sports bar in Lincoln. The Huskers 76-47 win marked the first NCAA tournament victory for the team. “Sweet Sixteen, baby!” Filipi said. “I think this is our year,” Dunn said.
Quality Brands of Lincoln reps Cohen Ouellette (right) and Kyle Fuller (left) hype up the crowd before busting out free Bud Light cans from a “Victory Fridge” as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watch their team close out the fourth period against Troy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the The NZone sports bar in Lincoln. The Huskers 76-47 win marked the first NCAA tournament victory for the team. “We’re excited—you can feel the buzz,” Ouellette said. The fridge was one of four placed in different sports bars around the city.
Quality Brands of Lincoln rep Kyle Fuller hands out free Bud Light cans from a “Victory Fridge” as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watched their team close out the fourth period at the N-Zone sports bar on Thursday. The fridge was one of four placed in different sports bars around the city.
Kurt Kreikemeier (right, from West Point) reacts to the game with his colleagues Jennifer Petersen (center, from Lincoln) and Dennis Miller (left, from Lincoln) as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watch their team face off against Troy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the The NZone sports bar in Lincoln. The Huskers 76-47 win marked the first NCAA tournament victory for the team. “Love the Huskers—I want ‘em to win so bad,” Kreikemeier said.
Justin Hansen (left) pounds a free Bud Light from the “Victory Fridge” with Tate Schutt (right) after Nebraska men’s basketball fans watched their team face off against Troy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the The NZone sports bar in Lincoln. The Huskers 76-47 win marked the first NCAA tournament victory for the team.
Quality Brands of Lincoln reps Cohen Ouellette (right) and Kyle Fuller (left) hype up the crowd before busting out free Bud Light cans from a “Victory Fridge” as Nebraska men’s basketball fans watch their team close out the fourth period against Troy on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the N-Zone sports bar in Lincoln. The Huskers 76-47 win marked the first NCAA tournament victory for the team. “We’re excited—you can feel the buzz,” Ouellette said. The fridge was one of four placed in different sports bars around the city.
Decades of waiting ended Thursday — and Lincoln celebrated with cheers, memories and even free beer after Nebraska’s first March Madness win.
Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket let Nebraskans “trade” on sports and events despite online gambling bans, raising legal fights and competition with regulated casinos.
