Texas A&M Aggies (19-8, 5-7) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-9, 6-6)

8:30 PM, Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, NE

TV: ESPN 2; Radio: Husker Sports Network

Opponent's Blog: I am the 12th Man

Forget everything that has come so far.  From now until the Big XII Semifinals or so, every game is a must-win game.  Offensive woes in the last 4 road games (both at top-20 foes) have dropped the Huskers back to 6-6 in conference, competing for what hopes to be the 5th NCAA bid out of the Big XII.

Barring a miracle run in the conference tournament, that means the Huskers likely have to finish 10-6 and win one game in the conference tournament (since a 10-6 record likely means NU is the 4 seed in the conference tournament, that means reaching the semifinals).  Any less than that, and you're looking at an NIT bid.  Lose 3 of 4, and we may struggle for an NIT home game.  Lose all 4, and the Huskers may drop from the post season entirely.

The good news is that all 4 remaining regular season contests are winnable.  The bad news is that they are all losable, especially if people like Steve Harley, Paul Velander, or Ryan Anderson can't start finding the bottom of the net.  Even lowly 2-10 Iowa State (who has won 3 of its last 4 trips to Lincoln) isn't a guarantee.

Tonight, the Huskers face a talented but beatable team in Texas A&M.  The Aggies have only one road win in conference, at Texas Tech, but they have solid inside players and decent perimeter shooting.  NU's transition defense and half-court pressure should give the Aggies fits, and the Husker's speed should hopefully offset A&M's size advantage.  If the shots start falling, the Huskers should win.

Join us tonight for the Husker's final nationally-televisioned game of the regular season.  Accounts are free, so sign up and chime in.