While the Longhorns return to action Wednesday evening at the Frank Erwin Center (Texas Tech, 8:30 p.m.), four Big 12 teams took to the hardwood Tuesday night, with Texas A&M picking up a critical win over Nebraska and Baylor completing its collapse with a 9-point loss at Iowa State.
Josh Carter's three pointer as time expired lifted Texas A&M to a season-saving road victory over Nebraska , improving the Aggies -- winners of three straight -- to 20-8 overall, 6-7 in Big 12 play. The Cornhuskers (16-10, 6-7) led by 13 at half and by 1 with 10 seconds left, when they appeared to have the game wrapped up following a block of Donald Sloan's driving lay up attempt. But Nebraska, trying to run out the remainder of the clock, heaved the loose ball too far down the floor, where it went out of bounds and gave the Aggies one more chance. With 2.5 seconds remaining, Carter used a down screen to get open for a clean look at the winning three pointer.
Nebraska fans are rightfully pissed/crushed, the home loss knocking the Huskers out of the chase for a first-round bye in the Big 12 tournament. Without any notable non-conference victories to bolster their resume, Nebraska's outside NCAA tournament hopes included a win tonight over Texas A&M. Meanwhile, the Aggies stay alive on the NCAA bubble, with an opportunity in their next two games (vs Iowa State, at Colorado) to improve to 8-7 before closing the regular season with what's increasingly looking like a huge showdown with Missouri in College Station.
Despite losing 7 of their first 10 conference games, A&M now has a real chance to streak into the NCAA Tournament, particularly if they were to beat Missouri in the season finale.
TEXAS A&M (20-8, 6-7) TOURNAMENT RESUME
KEY WINS: Arizona, LSU, Oklahoma State, Texas, at Nebraska
LOSSES: n-Tulsa, at Oklahoma State, OU, at KU, at Texas, at OU, Kansas St, at Baylor