Omaha men’s basketball asks fans to bring trash cans to game in weirdest promotion ever

The University of Nebraska Omaha men’s basketball team has built an odd tradition for the 2024-2025 season. When the the Mavericks win, associate head coach Kyan Brown beats the crap out of a trash can.

It’s something that’s happened often for one of Division I’s biggest turnaround stories. The Mavs hadn’t had a winning season since 2019, but a 7-0 run through conference play has them atop the Summit League and staring down what could be the program’s first invite to March Madness.

So they’re expanding their weird tradition. And making it weirder.

When Omaha hosts Denver University Saturday, ushers and officials will allow fans to bring their own trash cans to Baxter Arena — where they can fill them to the brim with popcorn for only $5.

Omaha Athletics announced Tuesday a one-time promotion for fans who attend the men’s basketball game at Baxter Arena on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. CT vs. Denver –– Bring Your Own Garbage Can.

After each Omaha men’s basketball win, associate head coach Kyan Brown kicks, hits or throws a trash can in the locker room, a celebration that has taken the college basketball world by storm during the Mavericks’ historic winning streak as Omaha sits in first place in the Summit League.

Fans will be permitted to bring one (1) five-gallon (5) or smaller plastic trash can (no lids permitted) to use as a popcorn container for the Feb. 1 game. SAVOR… Omaha, the exclusive concessionaire of Baxter Arena, will be providing bags of popcorn to fill up garbage cans at the Nineteen 08 concession stand for $5.

Granted, a five gallon trash can is more akin to a receptacle you’d put in the bathroom rather than the kitchen, but that’s still a big pile of popcorn for just five bucks. Fans should get the chance to scarf their trash-adjacent snacks against the backdrop of a win, too; the Mavericks handled the Pioneers 80-62 in Denver earlier this season.

So while the game may not be great and the popcorn will, at the very least, have a bit of a Rubbermaid infusion to it, this remains a great way to get folks interested in Summit League basketball. After all, it’s been four years since Oral Roberts danced its way to the Sweet 16. If you’re looking for a Cinderella to root for this spring, the team that beats up trash cans and then fills them up with popcorn is a great place to start.