Friday Five: Basketball, basketball and . . . other sports too
The Friday Five is back, and there is plenty to cover as we head into the weekend.
The Friday Five is back, just three weeks after the first. You seemed to like it, and I liked the format, so here we are once again.
From the women’s basketball team in Fort Worth, Texas, to baseball’s start to conference play, we’re running down a list of things to know heading into the weekend. There’s some NIL talk once again too, because it seems like we can’t really escape it at this point.
Without further ado:
A Fort Worth Friday
Clear your schedules — if you haven’t already, that is. The Nebraska women’s basketball team faces the Louisville Cardinals this evening at 5 p.m. CT.
Here are the specifics for tuning in purposes, per Nebraska:
Live Television: ESPN (Brenda VanLengen, Andrea Lloyd)
Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (4:30 p.m.)
Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)
Lincoln (107.3 FM), Omaha (590 AM), Huskers.com, Huskers App
Live Stats: Huskers.com (statbroadcast - public)
This is Nebraska’s 17th all-time NCAA Tournament bid and 11th appearance since 2007. Despite season-ending injuries to standout freshman Natalie Potts and veteran guard Allison Weidner, the Huskers secured their third NCAA bid in four years under head coach Amy Williams.
Nebraska is chasing its 10th NCAA Tournament win and looking to reach the second round for the second consecutive year after edging Texas A&M in 2023.
The Huskers are led by four-time All-Big Ten center Alexis Markowski (16.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and standout freshman Britt Prince, who averaged 17 points and 5.3 assists in the Big Ten Tournament.
The Cardinals are a 2.5-point favorite (as of the time of scheduling this newsletter), but it should be a pretty decent matchup for both teams. Should be a fun one.
It’s (even more) in the game
Players that opt into EA Sports’ College Football 26 will be compensated more this year than in the launch year. The 2025 game payment was $600, but that has been upped to $1,500 for the 2026 version. That will also include a Deluxe Edition copy of the game on the console of their choice.
Like last year, brand ambassadors1 for the game can — and are expected to — earn more money through separate deals they make with EA Sports.
As CBS Sports noted, a cover shoot took place March 12 and a potential cover leaked not long after. Those identified on the leaked cover were Georgia's Kirby Smart, Ohio State's Ryan Day and Penn State's James Franklin, as well as Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway and Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton.
A rough start to conference play
Nebraska baseball has started its season 9-11 overall, and 1-5 in conference play. Yikes. That 1-5 conference record marks Nebraska’s worst conference start since 2017.
Nebraska has lost two straight league series, and definitely needs to get back on track this weekend at USC. The Trojans come into the matchup 12-8 overall, and 2-4 in conference play.
If you’re wanting to watch or tune in, I’ll attach the game information below — including starting pitchers.
Friday, March 21 – 8:30 p.m. CT
Pitching: LHP Will Walsh (2-3, 3.42 ERA) vs. LHP Caden Hunter (3-1, 2.77 ERA)
TV/Streaming: FS1
Radio: Huskers.com, Huskers Radio Network, Huskers App
Saturday, March 22 – 4 p.m. CT
Pitching: RHP Ty Horn (0-3, 7.54 ERA) vs. RHP Caden Aoki (2-1, 4.23 ERA)
TV/Streaming: B1G+
Radio: Huskers.com, Huskers Radio Network, Huskers App
Sunday, March 23 – 2 p.m. CT
Pitching: LHP Jackson Brockett (0-1, 4.00 ERA) vs. RHP Grant Govel (1-2, 8.16 ERA)
TV/Streaming: B1G+
Radio: Huskers.com, Huskers Radio Network, Huskers App
Coming for the crown?
The Nebraska men’s basketball season didn’t exactly end as many hoped it would, but the Huskers do have a chance to make up for it2 in Las Vegas in the inaugural College Basketball Crown.
Nebraska will face Arizona State on Monday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The first two rounds of the tournament will take place at the Grand Garden Arena before moving to T-Mobile Arena for the semifinals and finals. FOX and FS1 will carry all games.
If you’re not completely familiar with the College Basketball Crown yet, here’s what you need to know: there is NIL money on the line for those participating. Specifically, players participating in the College Basketball Crown will compete for financial rewards. Semifinalists will be guaranteed at least $50,000 in NIL funds, while the runner-up will receive $100,000 and the champion $300,000.
Some teams have declined participation — like Ohio State — but it overall seems like an interesting addition to postseason play for college basketball. As always, more to come on this one.
A quiet week but not for long
Last but not least, it’s been a quiet week on the Nebraska football front as you know. That’s to be expected over spring break. However, get yourself ready for plenty of updates beginning very soon.
Next week not only kicks off spring football practices for Nebraska, but the Huskers will also host its annual Pro Day on Tuesday, March 25. That’s always a good time, and we’ll have plenty to come for it all.
As much as things change, some things stay the same — and that includes the start of spring ball. Can’t wait.
This includes the cover athletes.
To some degree, I know.
Don't think I'll be able to make it tonight to watch the game vs Louisville, but I'm hoping to watch some of the women's tournament at SET the bar in Benson. So ideally we take care of business and I can watch 'em in round 2 over there in a great new setting.