Nebraska's road to the Final Four got easier Saturday night when Iowa State swept Wisconsin in Madison. That means the Huskers won't have to face a team on its home court next weekend in regional play, and that makes the road easier. Right?

Maybe not. Last year, Minnesota knocked off host Florida in the regional semifinals, then had the Huskers on the ropes before NU came back from a 2-0 deficit to win. The fact is, at least on Saturday night, Iowa State was just plain better than Wisconsin. The Huskers have beaten the Cyclones twice, but ISU has now won three straight matches over rated teams. That comes after they took Texas to five games and led 14-9 in game five before losing.

The Cyclones are playing well, maybe even well enough to beat Cal Friday night. If Nebraska beats Michigan State, and the Huskers certainly should, it would set up an all-Big 12 regional final with NU coach John Cook going against his former assistant Christy Johnson. Now that would make a good story.