Nebraska

Amid losing streak, Huskers need to keep grinding: “That's the bottom line”

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2025

Amid losing streak, Huskers need to keep grinding: “That’s the bottom line”

No one likes the sound or feel of a losing streak. And when one of those reaches four games, like it has for Fred Hoiberg’s Nebraska Cornhuskers, those outside the program start thinking the worst.

Will the program make the 15-team Big Ten Tournament? Will the Huskers get back to the Big Dance for a second consecutive season? Is it time to hit the panic button with 13 regular-season games remaining?

Yes, the noise is awfully loud outside of Hoiberg’s program, which sits at 12-6 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play after dropping four straight, three of which have come on the road.

Inside the Huskers’ walls, though, Hoiberg still believes his team will weather this storm it finds itself in. And while it doesn’t look or feel like it for some, those postseason goals set in the summer when this roster was finalized are still alive.

“It’s all out there right now,” Hoiberg said Tuesday during a press conference at Pinnacle Bank Arena ahead of Wednesday night’s 8 p.m. home game against USC (11-7, 3-4). “We went from being in a really good situation, in a really good position, to still having our goals right in front of us.”

While it was a loss and moral victories aren’t really his thing, it was hard for Hoiberg to ignore the positives he and his staff saw for stretches at Maryland. The defensive intensity wasn’t there for a full 40 minutes, but there was enough of it to nearly escape with a win against a team Nebraska hasn’t beat on the road since January 2017.

“One thing I really liked about the last game, I thought our defensive edge was back, and that’s got to be our constant,” Hoiberg said.

Keeping the players focused on the upcoming job and not on what a four-game losing streak could turn into is a top priority right now. So is ramping things up defensively. That’s where it starts.

In seven games against Big Ten competition, Nebraska is allowing 81.4 points per game, third-worst in the conference behind Iowa (88.6) and Minnesota (82.9). The Huskers’ perimeter defense has struggled mightily with too many slow or out-of-position rotations and soft close-outs. Nebraska’s last four opponents have have shot a combined 47% from 3 (58-of-122), with Maryland making 10 3s, Rutgers 12, Purdue 19 and Iowa 17.

Responding from adversity, not hitting the panic button and sticking together on the court when things go south is the name of the game right now. It’s a long season, and the road doesn’t get much easier with the Huskers’ next three opponents after USC being ranked in No. 18 Wisconsin, No. 17 Illinois and No. 15 Oregon.

“Body language in this business, man, it’s not good. Teams will pounce, they’ll smell blood in the water and they’ll jump all over you when that happens,” Hoiberg said. “We show examples of it when guys hang their heads or throw their arms up. When we stay together, we’re pretty good and we have a chance. And I thought for the most part, against Maryland, it was good. Against Rutgers, I didn’t see a lot of head hanging. We played hard that game, we just didn’t play with the toughness that we needed to. We got it back in this last one.

“So, just keep grinding, man. That’s the bottom line. We just got to keep fighting, keep swinging. And I’m confident this team will go on a run at some point.”

The team doesn’t want to always have to rely on a packed PBA to get a win, but having thousands in red backing you up on the court sure is nice. And for the first time since the Indiana win on Dec. 13, the student section will be full as classes at UNL have started again.

“Our students will be back tomorrow. Very important for us to get the crowd behind us early in this game, coming off the streak that we’re on right now,” Hoiberg said. “Got to do everything in our power to get out of it.”

Potential injuries could lead to a shake-up to the starting lineup or rotation

On Tuesday Hoiberg mentioned the team is dealing with a bit of an injury situation one day out from the game. Understandably, the head coach declined to mention which players.

“We’ve got a couple guys who are nursing some injuries right now that have not practiced, who will hopefully be ready for the game tomorrow,” said Hoiberg.

More on USC, which has a former Millard North Mustang who’s playing well

USC comes to Lincoln averaging 77 points per game, which ranks 12th in the Big Ten, right in front of Nebraska’s 76.6.

The Trojans’ ability to take and make the 3 will obviously play a large factor in the game. As a team, USC is averaging the fewest 3-point attempts per game in the conference (18.2) but is shooting 35.2% from 3 (6th in Big Ten). Defensively, the Trojans are allowing 77.3 points per game against Big Ten opponents (T-7th).

USC has had an up and down season. In November, the Trojans lost by 35 points, 71-36, to a common non-conference opponent of Nebraska’s in St.Mary’s. That day USC shot a horrid 26% (13-of-50) from the field and missed all 12 3-point attempts.

But head coach Eric Musselman’s team also beat Washington on the road 85-61, trailed by just 4 points with 11 minutes left in the game at Michigan before losing 85-74 and beat No. 13 Illinois 82-72 in Champaign on Jan. 11.

USC’s leading scorer is Desmond Claude, a 6-foot-6, 201-pound guard and transfer from Xavier who’s averaging 16 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Claude isn’t a dangerous 3-point shooter as he’s shooting 30% from deep this season (8-of-26), but he’s tough to defend when attacking the paint. He scored 31 points at Illinois and went 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.

Nebraska’s defensive rotations will obviously need to be crisper than they’ve been during this losing streak, especially when those skip passes opponents like to throw against Nebraska’s double-the-post defense finds Chibuzo Agbo, Wesley Yates III and Saint Thomas.

Agbo is a 6-7, 227-pound guard who’s shooting 38% from 3 (41-of-107) and has five games of four or more made 3s this season. Yates is a 6-4, 219-pound guard who’s shooting 37% from (20-of-54).

Hoiberg noted USC’s rotation players can all handle the ball well and are around the same size, in that 6-6 to 6-8 range.

“They’re extremely talented when you look top to bottom with their rotation guys, it’s got an unbelievable level of talent,” Hoiberg said. “And obviously Eric Musselman is one of the best in the business as far as getting his guys going once they get hot.”

As for Thomas, Husker fans should know all about the 6-7 product out of Millard North High School in Omaha. After spending the first two seasons of his college career at Loyola Chicago and last season at Northern Colorado, the 6-7, 235-pound Thomas has started all 18 games for USC and is averaging 11 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

Thomas, who is coming off a 24-point outing against Iowa and a 19-point effort against Wisconsin, is capable from behind the arc as he’s shooting 34.5% (19-of-55). In his last two games, Thomas has gone 5-of-7 from 3.

“He’s having a great year. He’s one of the more versatile players in this league. I’m happy for him, he’s a good kid,” Hoiberg said. “He’s playing really good basketball for them right now. …He can rebound the ball, he can push it and handle it. He’s doing a lot of really good things for USC. …He’s a load out there, especially playing in a front-court position. He’s strong, he’s thick and he’s got good athleticism.”

The professionalism from Ahron Ulis is paying off

With Maryland using a full-court pressure against the Huskers on Sunday, fans saw both of Nebraska’s point guards on the court at the same time in Rollie Worster and Ahron Ulis.

Ulis came off the bench and gave Nebraska a jolt of life. He dished off a career-high 10 assists and only turned the ball over once. He didn’t get his shot to fall against the Terrapins — he scored 3 points and went 1-of-6 from the field and 0-of-1 from 3 — but he helped generate offense for others and did well defensively with four boards and two steals.

The 27 minutes Ulis played were his most since playing 29 for Iowa against Minnesota on February 12, 2023.

“I thought Ahron obviously had his best game in a Nebraska uniform,” Hoiberg said.

Nebraska’s head coach couldn’t say enough about how Ulis has handled everything since he’s been a Husker.

“I’ll say this about Ahron, I give him all the credit in the world. He played six minutes against Rutgers and played pretty well, and didn’t get in there in the second half,” Hoiberg said. “He was as good as anybody we had walking into the gym the next morning. As far as being a leader and using his voice, that stuff pays off. The basketball gods work in a weird way. When you respect the game, when you go out and do things right, it rewards you.”

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Nebraska

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

Published

9 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

—

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Nebraska

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

Published

21 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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Nebraska

Maryland men’s basketball silenced late by No. 12 Nebraska, 74-61

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Maryland men’s basketball silenced late by No. 12 Nebraska, 74-61

Maryland men’s basketball has found itself in plenty of close games over the past few weeks. Four of its last five were decided by seven points or less, and the Terps won three of them.

Head coach Buzz Williams had ostensibly found a winning recipe in crunch time. That is, until Wednesday’s clash with No. 12 Nebraska.

Down by five with just over six minutes to play, the key ingredients for a comeback were nowhere to be found. Andre Mills, who had been superb over Maryland’s past few matches, turned the ball over to star forward Pryce Sandfort on an errant pass. Just seconds later, Sandfort splashed a 3-pointer, and Pinnacle Bank Arena went wild.

That sequence was the cap of a 9-0 run and the middle of an 0-of-4 shooting stretch for Maryland. What was largely a competitive contest soon became lopsided, and the Terps fell, 74-61.

Williams used his coach’s challenge just a minute and a half into Wednesday’s contest. The reversed call didn’t result in points right away — the Terps turned it over the very next possession — but it undoubtedly sent a crystal clear, no-nonsense message to the sideline.

And Maryland’s defense was ready for the rowdy away game occasion. The Terps notched just five points in the opening five minutes — two coming on a thunderous Solomon Washington slam — but didn’t allow Nebraska on the scoresheet. In fact, Maryland turned the Cornhuskers over twice in that span, and Guillermo Del Pino rejected a Jamarques Lawrence layup.

Nebraska started the game 0-of-6 from the field before finding the net. Sandfort channeled his shooting prowess, sinking a 3-pointer to give the Cornhuskers their first advantage of the match six-and-a-half minutes in.

Forward Braden Frager was the true catalyst for Nebraska’s sudden surge, logging seven of the team’s first 10 points and operating well in transition. His quick-hit offense didn’t allow Maryland to set up its effective half-court defense.

The Terps’ offense remained relatively cold as the midway point of the half approached. They embarked on a 1-of-8 shooting stretch, with Nebraska consistently switching on Maryland’s perimeter looks and forcing Washington into some perimeter shots.

Interestingly enough, it was Washington and his frontcourt counterpart — Elijah Saunders — that offered the team a surge from beyond the arc. The two combined for four of the squad’s first five 3-pointers — two of Saunders’ makes came in the last five minutes of the half to keep Maryland within striking distance.

The Cornhuskers took a six point advantage into the halftime locker room, up 33-27.

Rienk Mast finally got into a bit of rhythm to open the second half, burying a 3-pointer in an attempt to keep the Terps at bay. But Maryland’s offense wasn’t rattled. It didn’t revert to the same isolation playbook that it has sometimes found itself running; it instead was gritty on the glass and earned multiple second-chance opportunities.

Nebraska was being worn down on defense, and its crowd was becoming less intense. Maryland just needed to establish some prolonged momentum.

But the game remained deadlocked for the ensuing minutes. Andre Mills began to display some of the athletic lane-driving traits he’s exhibited over the past 10 contests. But he also drilled a pair of long-range jumpers, quickly becoming the team’s leading second-half scorer.

As the clock ticked below 10 minutes left with the game decided by just a matter of points, the Terps’ offense hit a stagnant stretch. Coit took four consecutive shots — and made only one — while the team’s ball movement came to a screeching halt.

After Nebraska’s 9-0 run, things didn’t realign on the attack for Maryland. Coit continued to struggle, going 2-of-6 from three in the second half. Mills also missed back-to-back looks, and from there, the result was all but decided.

1. Elijah Saunders’ big day. With Mills struggling in the first half Wednesday, Saunders picked up some of the slack. The 40% 3-point shooter made half of his looks, resulting in a season-high five 3-pointers against the Cornhuskers. That comes just one game after he set his previous season-high of four 3-pointers against Washington.

2. Paint production erased. Maryland’s frontcourt did some damage Wednesday night, but much of it came from deep. The Terps finished with just 14 points in the paint compared to Nebraska’s 26. Despite both teams grabbing seven offensive rebounds, Maryland didn’t make much of the second chance opportunities in the restricted area.

3. More Del Pino minutes. After playing 27 minutes and securing the win with an alley-oop lob against Washington, Del Pino was on the court for 15 minutes Wednesday. Though he finished without any points, he seems to have earned Williams’ trust and continues to operate the floor well from a distribution perspective.

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