Just under a week after seventh-year head coach Fred Hoiberg and star big man Rienk Mast helped Nebraska put together an impressive showing, the Huskers’ leader met with the media for the first time since Saturday’s thriller. After reviewing the film from his team’s 90–89 exhibition win over No. 8 BYU, Hoiberg broke down the positives, the negatives, and everything in between as his squad prepares to face in-state foe Midland on Monday night. Here’s everything he had to say.
Despite the fact that Nebraska’s win over BYU ultimately won’t count in the standings, it certainly made noise across the college basketball landscape. The Huskers showed they may be ready to punch above their weight class this season, displaying poise, confidence, and an offensive rhythm rarely seen this early in the year.
In a matchup where Nebraska found remarkable success putting the ball in the basket, Hoiberg’s message earlier this week wasn’t one of celebration, but a challenge of consistency. The head coach emphasized how crucial early-season discipline will be in helping the Huskers make a push for the NCAA Tournament after narrowly missing out last spring.
As Nebraska prepares for its upcoming matchup, Hoiberg is looking for continued growth from a group he believes can build something special. While Saturday’s win came through a balanced, team-wide effort, especially from beyond the arc, what stood out most to Hoiberg was his team’s ball movement and unselfish play. The Huskers finished with 24 assists to BYU’s 10 while turning the ball over just 10 times, a ratio that, if sustained, could serve them tremendously as the season unfolds…