Selection Sunday has passed. The brackets are out. Now, all eyes are on the 64-team field duking it out for the National Championship. In March, there is always a player who captures the hearts of many around the country. This year, there is a man in Lincoln, Nebraska ready to take over. His name is Keisei Tominaga.

From: Dylan Widger (USA TODAY Sports)

An Improbable Story

Big Ten fans especially should know who Tominaga is. If you don't live in the Midwest, I highly doubt you choose to turn on the TV to a Nebraska basketball game. Keisei had an unconventional path to college basketball. He was born in Moriyama Nagoya Aichi, Japan. According to RealGM, only 71 players born in Japan have gone on to play at any level of collegiate basketball. Before even getting to Lincoln, Tominaga spent two years at a community college in Texas.

In the Tokyo Olympics, Tominaga was selected to play for Team Japan in the 3x3 basketball competition. The highest amount Team Japan scored in the tournament was 21 points. Tominaga nearly averaged a third of the team's points. He was third in scoring, shooting 74% inside the arc and 36% from deep. He was doing this as a 20 year old on the world's biggest stage. Keisei Tominaga is built for the moment.

Nebrasketball

After the Olympics, Tominaga stepped into his second year at Nebraska. It took off after that. His three point percentages went to 40%. Keisei led the Huskers to a .500 record, and coach Fred Hoiberg started to feel the pressure if he didn't win soon. While they had moments in 2022-2023, "Nebrasketball" went full force this year. Nebraska boasts wins over tournament teams like Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Duquesne. Can you guess who is at the center of the Nebraska resurgence? The Japanese Steph Curry.

Tominaga on the year is averaging nearly 15 points per game on 37% shooting from deep. On the surface, his stats do not look otherworldly. HOWEVER, Keisei Tominaga is one of the few players that can get hot after his first make. He's dropped 30 twice, and 20 points five times. When Tominaga gets it going, look out.

Cinderella Run?

Nebraska got a tough draw in the first round. They are playing a red hot Texas A&M team who is playing their best basketball at the end of the year. The Aggies have two great guards in Tyrese Radford and Wade Taylor IV. I like Nebraska to advance, as A&M does not shoot the ball very well. If Tominaga gets hot in the first round, there is an outside possibility the Huskers stay hot and avalanche Houston. Houston is so hard to beat, but Miami might have shown a blueprint last year. Keisei Tominaga might get bounced in Round 1, but it's going to be awesome to watch.

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