Monday Night Therapy: Midwest Rivalry, Sweet 16, Nebraska vs. Iowa Preview
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 21: Nebraska Cornhuskers fans celebrates after the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Vanderbilt Commodores held at Paycom Center on March 21, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Shane Bevel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images Monday Night Therapy returned with Minnie Hunt, Fred, and Jarek Shearer diving into Nebraska’s thrilling NCAA Tournament run and the unexpected joy of an Iowa hate week in March. The hosts celebrated avoiding Florida, agreeing Iowa feels like the more favorable matchup, even if both teams know each other well after already meeting twice this season.
Jarek broke down the key to beating Iowa: rebounding and pace. If Nebraska can push tempo and score into the high seventies, they like the Huskers’ chances. If Iowa controls the glass and slows things down, it could turn into the kind of ugly grinder that favors the Hawkeyes.
The panel also relived Nebraska’s wild win over Vanderbilt, especially the near-disaster of a last-second shot that almost became an all-time painful tournament loss. They praised Kent Pavelka’s emotional radio call and the team’s chemistry, while also marveling at how deeply invested everyone suddenly is in Nebraska basketball. Along the way, the show mixed in plenty of Iowa jokes, fan comments, and side conversations about Creighton coach Greg McDermott retiring, Husker fan turnout in tournament crowds, and how strange it is that Nebraska’s spring football game is barely drawing attention because basketball has completely taken over the spotlight.