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Butler Today
By the People, for the People
Vanderbilt Star's Heartbreaking Halfcourt Miss Sparks Fan Outpouring
Fans rallied around Tyler Tanner after his last-second shot rimmed out in Vanderbilt's NCAA tournament loss.
Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:41pm
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Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner launched a potential game-winning halfcourt shot at the buzzer of their NCAA tournament matchup against Nebraska, but the ball bounced off the rim as time expired, resulting in a 74-72 loss for the Commodores. Fans took to social media to express their support for Tanner, comparing his near-miss to other famous last-second shots in March Madness history.
Why it matters
Tanner's performance and the heartbreaking nature of the missed shot resonated with fans, who saw it as an example of the agony and ecstasy of the NCAA tournament. The outpouring of support highlights how invested fans can become in the personal stories and dramatic moments of March Madness.
The details
Tanner finished the game with 27 points on 9-21 shooting, including 3-10 from three-point range. His teammate, Tyler Nickel, also had a strong game with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist. While Vanderbilt came up short, Tanner's near-miss shot at the buzzer captivated fans and sparked comparisons to other famous last-second shots in NCAA tournament history, such as Gordon Hayward's near-miss for Butler in the 2010 national championship game.
- Vanderbilt's loss to Nebraska occurred on Saturday, March 22, 2026 in the NCAA tournament South Region.
The players
Tyler Tanner
A sophomore guard for the Vanderbilt Commodores who had a standout performance in their NCAA tournament loss, scoring 27 points and nearly hitting a game-winning halfcourt shot at the buzzer.
Tyler Nickel
A teammate of Tyler Tanner's on the Vanderbilt Commodores, Nickel had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist in the NCAA tournament loss.
Gordon Hayward
A former Butler basketball star who famously missed a last-second halfcourt shot in the 2010 NCAA championship game against Duke, which fans compared to Tanner's near-miss.
What’s next
Tanner's future remains uncertain, as he must decide whether to enter the NBA Draft or return to Vanderbilt for his junior season. Some fans have expressed hope that he could potentially transfer to other programs like St. John's or rival Tennessee.
The takeaway
Tyler Tanner's heartbreaking miss at the buzzer of Vanderbilt's NCAA tournament loss captivated fans, who rallied around the young star and compared his near-miss to other famous last-second shots in March Madness history. The outpouring of support highlights the emotional investment fans have in the personal stories and dramatic moments that define the NCAA tournament experience.
