Longtime Nebraska basketball radio announcer Kent Pavelka sounded like he was about to have a heart attack on Saturday as his team survived a scare against Vanderbilt.
Pavelka, who has been Nebraska’s radio announcer for 41 years, was electric on the mic in the closing seconds of the 4-seed Cornhuskers’ win against the 5-seed Commodores in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Nebraska got an all-important stop to keep the score tied at 72 with 10 seconds left inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Cornhuskers pushed the tempo the other way and scored a go-ahead layup courtesy of freshman Braden Frager, leaving 2.2 seconds on the clock.
Kent Pavelka Nebraska’s play by play announcer for 41 years had the best call you’ll hear today.
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 22, 2026
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Nebraska’s jubilation almost turned into misery in a matter of minutes as Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner nearly sank a 50-foot buzzer-beater that rattled in and out of the ring. Pavelka’s voice was there to capture every heart-stopping moment.
Several Cornhuskers players mobbed Pavelka after the game as Nebraska celebrated just its second-ever March Madness victory. The first one had come just two days prior.
Happiest man in America and it’s not even close. 🥹 @KentPavelka #GBR pic.twitter.com/uSktylcsEc
— Jessica Coody (@JessicaCoody) March 22, 2026
The NBA has some incredible voices on the call during pro games. But there’s no mimicking the passion shown by partisan college announcers who have been waiting their entire lives to be on the call for their school’s crowning moments.
Pavelka and the Cornhuskers can create even more of those as they head to the Sweet 16.
