HUSKERS UNITED
Nebraska united on & off court entering Big Ten tourney this week at Garden
Nebraska has come together with message against hate entering Big Ten tournament this week at Garden
Adversity can do one of two things: it can make you, or it can break you.
And so far, Nebraska’s men’s basketball team has turned a situation that could have been labeled a setback, into a scenario of possible success.
Last month, Daniel Kleve, a University of Nebraska student and proud white nationalist, released multiple videos online in which he criticized Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., discussed his thoughts on why the Founding Fathers weren’t fond of people of color, and claimed to be the most active white nationalist in the state, as he openly raved about his passion for violence.
Which is why it makes so much sense that Kleve was a part of “Team Tiki Torch” that showed up in Charlottesville last summer.
People around campus weren’t too pleased as the videos circulated, especially those on the men’s basketball team.
On a campus in a state that’s never been celebrated for its diversity, Nebraska’s men’s basketball team includes 11 black players on its 16-man roster. It’s the only time those 11 men are ever in the majority. Which is why the idea of boycotting a game came up during a team meeting.
But instead of falling apart, the team came together and became stronger than ever before, on and
off the court. The decision was made to produce a video and wear warmup shirts that read “Hate Will Never Win.’’
“In light of the recent events on campus regarding hate speech, on behalf of the Nebraska basketball team, we would like to deliver a message against racism that encourages positivity,” said team captain Evan Taylor earlier this month. “We encourage all of the Husker athletes and student body to get behind us. The message that we want to send is that hate never wins, and to spread love.”
Since then, Nebraska has been on a roll.
A few months ago, the Huskers looked like a team destined for an NIT Tournament appearance, but not anymore. Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State are locks to make the NCAA Tournament, which is why this week’s Big Ten Tournament at Madison Square Garden is so important for a team like Nebraska that’s sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
If they lose early, their tournament dreams may be over.
But if they can make a run, they’ll be in the big dance.
The Huskers are hoping to follow Michigan’s storyline from last season. Last year’s Michigan team also overcame some adversity when their plane crashed after sliding off the runway on their way to the Big Ten Tournament. It was a scary moment, as the Wolverines played their first game of the tournament in
their practice jerseys because they were without much of their luggage. But instead of folding, Michigan went on to win the Big Ten Tournament and on a run that lasted until the Sweet 16, where they were two points away from reaching the Elite Eight. The Huskers’ program is 0-7 in the NCAA Tournament, and as the last power conference school without a tournament win, Nebraska is hoping to change that this year, fueled by the energy of their bench. Nebraska’s “Bench Mob” has become one of the talks of college basketball as their antics on the sidelines during games have gained them national attention. Players on the bench are doing pro wrestling moves, lifting imaginary weights, holding up scorecards after dunks, and acting like they’re riding in a bobsled all while the games are going on. It’s evident that the sun is shining through the cloud that once hung over this
program just a few weeks ago.
Some analysts might say that Nebraska doesn’t have a great chance of winning this week’s tournament, and they might be right. While the Big Ten conference has been down this season, the teams at the top have been some of the best in the country.
However, this is March, which means crazy things are bound to happen.
But no matter the outcome, this team has already won in my eyes. Racism is a bully, and that bully showed up on this team’s campus. And somewhere along the way, the Huskers figured out that the key to defeating a bully is to succeed.
They succeeded by taking a stand, and by becoming one of the hottest teams in the country.
“What I’m proud of is, they’re taking a strong stand in putting a positive message out against hate, racism, prejudice,” said Huskers coach Tim Miles to the Lincoln Journal Star a few weeks ago. “And they’re having a unified message that, they want to include other student-athletes, and they want to include the students at UNL on this whole process going forward. This is not a one-time thing. This is something we want to continue, to champion that cause, and I’m proud of the guys for that.”
People like Daniel Kleve want to divide us. And by not “sticking to sports,” a basketball team has brought a campus together. Some victories are bigger than wins and losses. Which is why Nebraska should feel like a champion no matter what the scoreboard says the last time they walk off the court together this season.