Will Bolt describes emotions of winning back-to-back Big Ten Tournaments

There’s something in the air when the Nebraska Cornhuskers get to Omaha for the Big Ten Tournament. Now, for the second season in a row, head coach Will Bolt has led his team to a Championship there, making the NCAA Tournament in the process.

Now, with some time to reflect on that success, Bolt broke down the emotions of winning back-to-back Big Ten Tournament Championships. Interestingly, he found that the two seasons were distinctly different for him.

“It’s awesome,” Will Bolt said. “Obviously, it feels great to feel like you’re starting to get some consistency in terms of postseason play, and making runs and some of those things. It’s just two totally different years, honestly, for me just the way that happened in the tournament. Doing it the hard way last year. Maybe the last time that will happen with the new format.”

In 2024, Nebraska won the Big Ten Tournament by winning five games in a row and every game outside of their first at the Big Ten Tournament. They’d follow that up in 2025, a year that saw the Big Ten expand with four talented West Coast programs. Still, Bolt led his Cornhuskers to a Big Ten Tournament Championship.

“This year, just facing the number of really good teams and arms that we faced, it was like a Regional, honestly. So, it was huge. Huge for our players to be a part of that. Something that we had. We were in back-to-back championship games in ’13 and ’14 and fell just short. It’s awesome when you can put a ring on your finger and dogpile. Those [are] experiences that these guys will remember forever.”

With this season’s Big Ten Tournament win, Nebraska was able to steal a bid to the NCAA Tournament. It’s their third trip to the NCAA Regional under Will Bolt and the Cornhuskers are hoping to go on a deep run back to Omaha. There, they clearly know they can win.

First, Nebraska is set to take on Oklahoma on Friday in the Chapel Hill Regional. Depending on that result, they’ll either play North Carolina or Holy Cross.

Will Bolt reveals status of Nebraska infielder Tyler Stone for regional games

Nebraska first baseman Tyler Stone has missed nearly a month since being hit by a pitch. Now, Will Bolt has shared where he stands heading into the Chapel Hill Regional.

“He was available,” Will Bolt said. “I would imagine he’s going to start feeling a lot better this week. There’s still some swelling in there. He got some live at-bats. I guess it was last Wednesday and wasn’t moving the bat real good, but I know he’s feeling a lot better now. I think he’ll be feeling a lot better by the weekend.”