Nebraska
Concerns raised for Nebraska youths in foster care, but progress is noted in Omaha area
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7UQ2ZETKJ5HBPK2ADENAYXCFEQ.jpg "Concerns raised for Nebraska youths in foster care, but progress is noted in Omaha area")
LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) – For kids in the child welfare system, being handed off to five or more different caseworkers is “unacceptable” and adds to instability, the Nebraska Foster Care Review Office says in its latest report.
Yet depending on the geographic service area, that is the case with between about 5% and 40% of youths in Nebraska foster care.
And statewide, though mostly in Douglas and Sarpy Counties, 165 kids currently in the system have been transferred to a different caseworker at least 10 times.
The caseworker turnover was among red flags raised in the latest quarterly report from the Foster Care Review Office, an independent state agency that monitors placement and well-being of more than 4,200 youths under court-ordered state care and supervision.
Not time to ‘let up’
Monika Gross, executive director of the watchdog office, said she has seen signs of progress, though, in eastern Nebraska since the state took that area’s case management a year ago from an underperforming Saint Francis Ministries.
The break with the Kansas-based contractor ended Nebraska’s experiment with privatizing child welfare services. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services now manages all cases throughout the state.
Gross said that staffing challenges still persist in the state’s largest urban counties and that it is not the time for officials to “let up” on efforts to get the workforce on track for this vulnerable population.
“It is important that we have a well-trained and experienced workforce to meet the complex needs of children and families in our communities,” she said.
Since its last quarterly update to the Nebraska Legislature, the Federal Care Review Office did recognize a positive turn, which it is still trying to understand, in the caseworker aspect of Omaha area services.
According to the June report, the number of foster children in Douglas and Sarpy Counties who have dealt with 10 or more caseworkers during their time in state custody dropped in a three-month period between December and April — from 275 to 148.
That change was encouraging, Gross said, though she said her staff to date had no clear and definitive explanation and planned to delve more into the reason for the sudden decline.
“We support family reunifications when it is safe and is in the child’s best interest,” the FCRO said in its report.
Few more years needed
Meanwhile, over the longer period of a year, the number of children statewide who have had more than five but fewer than 10 caseworkers increased from 705 to 769.
A revolving door for caseworkers is concerning, Gross said, because it can lead to service gaps, delay permanent placement and ultimately hurt the youths.
“There is room for quite a bit of improvement in the Omaha region,” Gross said. “But I am optimistic, and we are supportive of the caseworkers and the work that is being done. We want to see families succeed.”
A DHHS spokesman said the agency is reviewing the report’s recommendations, and noted that the state is still within the first year of officially taking over Omaha area case management from Saint Francis last June 30. DHHS said it will take at least two or three years to see progress needed in such an urban area.
The state, in 2019, had contracted with Saint Francis to manage the cases of children in eastern Nebraska who, because of neglect or abuse and court orders, are placed away from parents or guardians and into care of a state agency.
Saint Francis officials later admitted they had severely underbid the contract, and by January 2021 the state provided an emergency allocation of $150 million to keep the operation afloat.
Salary jumps amid changes
DHHS spokesman Jeff Powell said this week that the state has hired over 100 new caseworkers in addition to transitioning more than 100 Saint Francis caseworkers to DHHS, and has seen positive strides in recruitment.
Caseworker salaries increased by 20% in 2021 and are to rise another 10% in July.
From January to May, there were only 24 child-caseworker separations, Powell said.
More than half of the case managers who shifted to DHHS last June were carrying 28 to 36 cases. As of May, the agency said that none carries more than 25 cases. The statutory limit of cases per manager is 17.
Newly trained caseworkers are being assigned to new cases, as opposed to existing cases, so families and children don’t have a multitude of caseworkers, DHHS said.
Also reported in the FCRO update is that nearly one-third of Nebraska wards over their lifetimes have been shuffled between four or more homes.
That represents a slight increase over a year ago, from about 28% in April 2022 to about 29%. Foster care review officials point out that children who have been removed from and resettled in that many different settings are prone to permanent damage from the trauma of broken attachments.
“Further, it is concerning that 10.7% of young children (under age 6) have experienced a high level of placement change while simultaneously coping with removal from their parents — all during a developmentally critical period.”
The DHHS spokesman said Nebraska suffers from a nationwide shortage of foster homes and is working to raise training opportunities and support so placements last longer.
Minorities overrepresented
The FCRO update included other key findings, as well as recommendations to improve the child welfare systems.
Among the findings was that the bulk of youths in custody of the DHHS, about 97%, were placed in a family-like, “least restrictive” setting, and more than half in a relative or kinship foster home.
At the start of April, 82 youths from various counties were placed at youth rehabilitation and treatment centers run by the justice system, the most restrictive type of placement.
By state statute, a judge can order placement in those facilities if the youth has not been successful in a less restrictive setting. According to the report, the number in YRTCs was down from 121 in 2018 but reflected a 30% increase from the 63 a year earlier.
Remaining a “critical issue” to be addressed, regardless of which agency or agencies are involved, according to the report, is that children of color continue to be overrepresented in state out-of-home custody, compared to their representation in the general population of Nebraska.
The FCRO urged the state to create a “racial disparities task force” that investigates and proposes solutions to structural inequities that lead to chronic stress and family separation.
Task force members should look, the report said, at how racial and ethnic disparities in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems “have become intractable and are causing harm to children, families and communities of color.”
As a result of 2022 legislation, DHHS said, it has contracted with a consultant to try and address problems before a child is ordered removed from a home. Forums are being held throughout the state to gather feedback from stakeholders.
The Nebraska Supreme Court also has a committee, of which DHHS is a part, to look at racial equity in child welfare and juvenile justice.
Recommendations
Among other recommendations in the FCRO report:
- Enhance efforts to recruit, train and support foster family homes to meet needs of youths with complex mental and behavioral health needs. A goal: to keep more of these youths in their communities in the least restrictive environments. Resources should be statewide to avoid children’s outcomes from being dependent on where they live.
- Nebraska’s Children and Family Services should seek out paternal relatives, in addition to maternal relatives, in licensing foster homes. While some progress has been made, FCRO noted, increased effort should go to secure relative and kinship foster homes.
- To address high turnover and other staffing challenges, create a long-term plan to recruit people for social work, mental health and related professions. That could include more interaction with students as young as middle school and job-shadowing.
- Expand community-based prevention efforts with a goal to reduce child neglect, abuse and caseworker turnover.
Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and Twitter.
Copyright 2023 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
How to Watch Nebraska Men’s Basketball in the Diamond Head Classic: Preview, Team Breakdowns, TV Channels
Following a dismal 89-52 loss to Michigan State on the road, the Nebraska men’s basketball team needed a bounce back in a big way.
That bounce back came in the form of a dominant 85-68 victory over a highly-touted Indiana team at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Hoosiers were as hyped as any in the conference, being selected second in the Big Ten preseason poll while bringing in a top-five transfer class in the country over the offseason.
But IU was outclassed by Nebraska, who shot over 65 percent from the field in the first half followed by a defensive effort that stifled the Hoosiers to a 27.8 field goal percentage in the second half to run away. Guard Brice Williams went off with a game-high 30 points with Juwan Gary (14), Connor Essegian (14) and big man Andrew Morgan (10) each reaching double figures to support.
With a momentum-boosting win over a storied program, it gave the Huskers plenty to build on approaching a holiday tournament in the Diamond Head Classic, which features a field that Nebraska can come out on top of.
Here’s all you need to know as NU visits Hawaii for its lone regular-season tournament of the season.
How to Follow Along
Murray State Scout
Head Coach: Steve Prohm | 3rd Season in Second Stint; 7th overall at MSU | 139-68 (.671) at Murray State; 236-163 (.591) Career HC | 3x NCAA Tournament Appearances, 8x NBA Draft Picks, 2x OVC Titles, 2x Big 12 titles | Previous head coach at Iowa State | Previous assistant coach at Tulane, Southeastern Louisiana and Centenary.
2023-2024 Record: 12-20 (9-11 MVC, T-7th) | 1x All-MVC Bench Team | Did not qualify for the postseason.
All-Time Series: Murray State leads 2-0 (Dec. 30, 2000 last match, 79-71 MSU).
Fun Fact: The Huskers and Racers have faced only twice in school history with both matchups going the way of the Racers. MSU won in the title game of the 1990 San Juan Shootout and a regular season win in December of 2000.
Key Returners: JaCobi Wood, G, Sr. | Nick Ellington, F, Sr. | Alden Applewhite, F, Jr. | Justin Morgan, G, Jr.
Key Additions: AJ Ferguson, G, Sr. (Southern Illinois) | Terence Harcum, G, Sr. (Appalachian State) | Kylen Milton, G, Sr. (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) | KyeRon Lindsay, F, Jr. (Texas Tech).
Key Departures: Quincy Anderson, G (Eligibility) | Rob Perry, G (Eligibility) | Brian Moore Jr., G, Sr. (Norfolk State) | Shawn Walker, Jr., G (Eligibility).
Outlook: Murray State enters an important year in the second stint of head coach Steve Prohm. From 2011-2015, Prohm helped the mid-major to new heights, making a pair of NCAA Tournaments – including a win in the First Round in 2012 – winning two Missouri Valley Conference tournament titles and posting a 104-29 record in four seasons. Prohm catapulted that success into a six-year run at Iowa State, taking over for new Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg who went to become the head coach for the Chicago Bulls.
Prohm went 97-95 in Ames before coming back to Murray State. The success hasn’t all been there for the Racers compared to Prohm’s earlier run with a 35-39 record in just over two complete seasons.
Three of the top five scorers from last year’s 12-20 squad moved on from the program, including leading scorer Quincy Anderson (12.6 PPG), Rob Perry (11.9 PPG) and Brian Moore Jr. (9.2 PPG) who transferred to Norfolk State.
However, JaCobi Wood and Nick Ellington both returned, giving the Racers a pair of returners who produced double-digit points. Wood’s game has grown as a senior, leading the team with 15 points per game. Ellington has remained productive as well with 10.3 points per contest, but Prohm went heavy into the transfer portal to supplement his roster.
Four of the top six scorers came to Murray State from other schools. 6-foot-7 senior guard AJ Ferguson has had the biggest impact with 12.3 PPG for second on the team alongside a team-leading six rebounds per game. He’s exploded on the scene after spending two seasons at Southern Illinois. Senior guard Terence Harcum was an All-Sun Belt Third Team pick last season with Appalachian State, and is now averaging 12.0 PPG. Kylen Milton rounds out the transfer trio with 11.2 points per game after three seasons at Arkansas-Pine Bluff and one year at Western Kentucky. He brings plenty of experience with now 107 games of college basketball experience. Even Texas Tech transfer KyeRon Lindsay brings a spark with 8.3 points per game.
This is a balanced team across the board with its scoring, but it emphasizes three-point shooting with a 38.6 percent mark through nine games this season. The Racers are actually better in defending the three, however, with a 27.9 three-point shooting percentage from opponents.
The Racers don’t have any bad losses on its resume, but going into Sunday they are riding a two-game losing streak with consecutive defeats to Western Kentucky (81-76) and Indiana State (84-74). If Nebraska plays up to its ability, the Huskers should take care of business while having a great chance to win the whole tournament.
Tournament Capsules
Oregon State
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle | 11th Season at OSU; 19th as Head Coach | 148-179 (.453) at Oregon State; 306-270 (.531) as Head Coach | 5x NCAA Tournament Appearances, 4x Conference titles, 2x Big Sky Coach OTY | Previous head coach at Montana.
2024 Record: 8-2 (0-0 Pac-12) | Wins: Utah Tech, Weber State, Western Oregon, Cal State Fullerton, UC Davis, Idaho, UC Irvine, Sacramento State | Losses: Oregon, North Texas.
Stat Leaders (Per Game): Scoring: Michael Rataj (16.7) | Rebounds: Michael Rataj (9.0) | Assists: Damarco Minor (5.9) | Steals: Michael Rataj & Damarco Minor (2.2) | Blocks: Michael Rataj (1.1) | FG%: Parsa Fallah (64.6%) | 3P%: Nate Kingz (53.8%) | FT%: Michael Rataj (89.4%).
Team Stats (Per Game): Scoring: 76.7 | FG%: 49.3% | 3P%: 38.5% | FT%: 78.7% | Rebounds: 37.0 | Assists: 16.3 | Turnovers: 12.5 | Steals: 8.9 | Blocks: 4.7.
Key Contributors: Michael Rataj, F, Jr. (16.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG) | Parsa Fallah, F, R-Jr. (12.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG) | Nate Kingz, G, R-Jr. (11.0 PPG) | Damarco Minor, G, Sr. (9.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG | Liutauras Lelevicius, G, R-Soph. (7.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG) | Josiah Lake II, G, Soph. (7.4 PPG).
020318 Xavier / Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK
Charleston
Head Coach: Chris Mack | 1st Season at Charleston; 13th as Head Coach | 286-135 (.679) as Head Coach | 1x Final Four, 9x NCAA Tournament Appearances, 3x Conference titles, 1x Big East Coach OTY, Atlantic 10 Coach OTY | Previous head coach at Louisville and Xavier.
2024 Record: 8-2 (0-0 CAA) | Wins: Southern Illinois, South Florida, Florida Atlantic, The Citadel, Northern Kentucky, Tusculum, Saint Joseph’s, Wofford. | Losses: Liberty, Rhode Island.
Stat Leaders (Per Game): Scoring: Ante Brzovic (19.5) | Rebounds: Ante Brzovic (8.4) | Assists: CJ Fulton (6.2) | Steals: CJ Fulton (1.6) | Blocks: Ante Brzovic (1.3) | FG%: Ante Brzovic (54.2%) | 3P%: CJ Fulton (50.0%) | FT%: Ante Brzovic (73.7%).
Team Stats (Per Game): Scoring: 79.9 | FG%: 46.9% | 3P%: 36.1% | FT%: 78.5% | Rebounds: 36.7 | Assists: 16.8 | Turnovers: 13.5 | Steals: 7.4 | Blocks: 2.5.
Key Contributors: Ante Brzovic, F, Sr. (19.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG) | AJ Smith, G, Jr. (11.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG) | Deywilk Tavarez, G, Soph. (10.6 PPG) | CJ Fulton, G, Sr. (9.8 PPG, 6.2 APG) | Derrin Boyd, G, Gr. (9.6 PPG) | Lazar Djokovic, F, Soph. (9.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG) | Jaxon Prunty, G, Fr. (7.5 PPG).
Loyola Chicago
Head Coach: Drew Valentine | 4th Season at LUC | 67-40 (.626) as Head Coach | 1x NCAA Tournament Appearance, 1x MVC title; 1x Atlantic 10 title | Previous assistant at Oakland and Michigan State.
2024 Record: 9-1 (0-0 A10) | Wins: Chicago State, Detroit Mercy, Eureka, Princeton, Southern Utah, Tulsa, Eastern Michigan, South Florida, Canisius | Losses: San Francisco.
Stat Leaders (Per Game): Scoring: Des Watson (12.6) | Rebounds: Francis Nwaokorie (5.9) | Assists: Justin Moore (5.3) | Steals: Des Watson (1.1) | Blocks: Miles Rubin (2.3) | FG%: Jalen DeLoach (66.7%) | 3P%: Sheldon Edwards Jr. (38.6%) | FT%: Jalen Quinn (75.0%).
Team Stats (Per Game): Scoring: 79.7 | FG%: 47.2% | 3P%: 36.0% | FT%: 64.3% | Rebounds: 38.3 | Assists: 18.8 | Turnovers: 11.4 | Steals: 7.0 | Blocks: 4.8.
Key Contributors: Des Watson, G, Sr. (12.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG) | Jayden Dawson, G, Jr. (12 PPG) | Sheldon Edwards Jr., G, Gr. (11.6 PPG) | Miles Rubin, C, Soph. (7.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG) | Justin Moore, G, Jr. (7.7 PPG) | Jalen Quinn, G, Jr. (7.7 PPG) | Kymany Houinsou, G, Jr. (6.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG) | Francis Nwaokorie, F, Sr. (6.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG) | Jalen DeLoach, F, Sr. (6.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG).
Oakland
Head Coach: Greg Kampe | 41st Season at Oakland | 703-544 (.564) at Oakland & Career | 7x NCAA Tournament Appearances, 7x regular season conference titles, 4x tournament conference titles | 4x Summit League Coach OTY, 1x GLIAC Coach OTY. | Longest current tenured men’s basketball coach; Third active coach with 600 or more career wins; Fourth-most active career wins.
2024 Record: 3-7 (1-2 Horizon League) | Wins: Defiance College, Toledo, Wright State | Losses: (RV) Boise State, (RV) Illinois, No. 1 Kansas, Eastern Michigan, Youngstown State, No. 20 Michigan State, Cleveland State.
Stat Leaders (Per Game): Scoring: DQ Cole (12.8) | Rebounds: Buru Naivalurua (7.3) | Assists: Jaylen Jones (3.9) | Steals: Jayson Woodrich (1.1) | Blocks: Allen Mukeba (1.8) | FG%: Allen Mukeba (51.0%) | 3P%: Malcolm Christie (33.3%) | FT%: DQ Cole (85.7%).
Team Stats (Per Game): Scoring: 62.7 | FG%: 40.8% | 3P%: 28.6% | FT%: 59.6% | Rebounds: 34.4 | Assists: 11.3 | Turnovers: 10.9 | Steals: 5.9 | Blocks: 2.8.
Key Contributors: DQ Cole, G, Sr. (12.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG) | Allen Mukeba, F, Gr. (12.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG) | Buru Naivalurua, F, Sr. (11.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG) | Malcolm Christie, G, Sr. (8.0 PPG) | Jayson Woodrich, G/F, Gr. (5.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG) | Jaylen Jones, G, Soph. (5.0 PPG, 3.9 APG, 3.8 RPG).
Charlotte
Head Coach: Aaron Fearne | 2nd Season at Charlotte; 15th as Head Coach | 25-16 (.610) at Charlotte | NBL Coach OTY, 2z QBL Coach OTY 2x QBL Champion |Charlotte Interim HC for 2023-2024 season before being elevated; 13 years as head coach in Australian Professional Basketball.
2024 Record: 6-4 (0-0 AAC) | Wins: Presbyterian, Richmond, Gardner-Webb, Livingstone, Georgia State, West Georgia | Losses: Utah State, Long Island, ETSU, Davidson.
Stat Leaders (Per Game): Scoring: Nik Graves (16.7) | Rebounds: Jaehshon Thomas (4.0) | Assists: Nik Graves (3.2) | Steals: Robert Braswell IV (1.1) | Blocks: Robert Braswell IV (0.7) | FG%: Giancarlo Rosado (55.8%) | 3P%: Robert Braswell IV (46.3%) | FT%: Robert Braswell IV (86.4%).
Team Stats (Per Game): Scoring: 72.4 | FG%: 43.1% | 3P%: 30.3% | FT%: 71.6% | Rebounds: 33.3 | Assists: 14.1 | Turnovers: 8.7 | Steals: 5.3 | Blocks: 2.1.
Key Contributors: Nik Graves, G, Jr. (16.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.2 APG) | Robert Braswell IV, G, Gr. (13.9 PPG, 46.3 3P%) | Giancarlo Rosado, F, Gr. (12.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG) | Jaehshon Thomas, G, Jr. (10.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG) | Rich Rolf, F, R-Soph. (5.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG) | Dean Reiber, F, R-Sr. (5.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG) | Kylan Blackmon, G, R-Sr. (5.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG) | Isaiah Folkes, G, Sr. (4.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG).
Hawaii
Head Coach: Eran Ganot | 10th Season at Hawaii | 162-105 (.607) at Hawaii; 165-107 (.607) Career record | 1x NCAA Tournament Appearance, 1x Big West Regular Season & Tournament title, 1x Big West Coach OTY | 3-2 as acting HC for St. Mary’s (CA.) in 2013-2014.
2024 Record: 6-3 (0-1 Big West) | Wins: Life Pacific, San Jose State, Pacific, Weber State, Hawaii Pacific, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | Losses: North Carolina, Grand Canyon, Long Beach State.
Stat Leaders (Per Game): Scoring: Gytis Nemeikša (14.0) | Rebounds: Tanner Christensen (7.6) | Assists: Marcus Greene (2.4) | Steals: Aaron Hunkin-Claytor (0.9) | Blocks: Tanner Christensen (1.1) | FG%: Tanner Christensen (69.0%) | 3P%: Kody Williams (51.4%) | FT%: Marcus Greene (91.7%).
Team Stats (Per Game): Scoring: 74.7 | FG%: 47.1% | 3P%: 34.5% | FT%: 68.3% | Rebounds: 36.3 | Assists: 11.9 | Turnovers: 12.3 | Steals: 3.9 | Blocks: 2.9.
Key Contributors: Gytis Nemeikša, F, Sr. (14.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG) | Tanner Christensen, C, Gr. (12.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 69.0 FG%) | Marcus Greene, G, Sr. (11.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.4 APG) | Kody Williams, G, Jr. (8.2 PPG, 51.4 3P%) | Tom Beattie, G, Soph. (7.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG) | Akira Jacobs, F, Soph. (7.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG) | Ryan Rapp, G, Sr. (7.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG) | Harry Rouhliadeff, F, Jr. (5.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG).
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Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
How about some Husker hoops during the holidays in Hawaii.
Nebraska (7-2 overall, 1-1 in Big Ten) begins its Diamond Head Classic slate on Sunday night in Hawaii against Murray State (6-4, 1-1 in Missouri Valley Conference). Tip for the game is set for 8 p.m. central time. It will be televised by ESPN with Roxy Bernstein and Sean Farnham on the call.
The Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is a three-day tournament with games on Sunday, Monday and Christmas day on Wednesday. The action is played at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, the home of the hosting Rainbow Warriors.
Nebraska will play the winner of Hawaii and Charlotte in the second game on Monday. College of Charleston, Loyola (Chicago), Oakland and Oregon State make up the rest of the eight-team tournament field.
Here’s a look at the bracket, which can be viewed here:
Each team in the tournament will play three games in four games. That’s a lot of basketball packed into a short amount of time. That’ll no doubt be a different feeling for the Huskers, who have a schedule with a December stretch of just three games in 21 days.
Obviously, getting off on the right foot in the opener against Murray State is a must for the trip to be considered a success.
“This first one obviously is very important, to try to stay on the right side of the stay bracket,” Fred Hoiberg said during a press conference Thursday before the team departed. “We’ll worry about the second game when we get there, whether it’s Hawaii or Charlotte, and then have a day off to prepare for the third game that we will play.”
Nebraska will catch Murray State on a two-game losing streak. The Racers fell on the road at Western Kentucky 81-76 in overtime last Saturday, then dropped a game at Indiana State on Wednesday 84-74.
Hoiberg noted how Murray State dug itself in a hole early but never quit and made it a game at the end. The Racers trailed by as many as 22 points in the second half, 53-36 with 12:15 remaining, but slashed the Sycamores’ lead to a two-possession game, 78-74, with 1:37 left.
“It’s a team that shoots the ball as well or better than any team that we played to this point, and they’ve got quick, athletic guards that pose problems on both ends of the court,” Hoiberg said.
Nebraska is coming off a head-turning 85-68 victory against Indiana on Dec. 13, a solid rebound effort after getting embarrassed in a loss at Michigan State.
In the win over the Hoosiers, Brice Williams went off with an outing of 30 points, six rebounds and five assists. The 6-7 guard was named Big Ten Player of the Week and one of five USBWA Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week.
Williams also became only the second Husker in the Big Ten era to have at least 30 points and five assists in a game, joining Teddy Allen (2021).
Murray State will come into the game averaging 78.8 points per game (7th in MVC) while shooting 47.7% from the field (7th) and 38.6% from 3-point range (4th). The Racers’ defense is allowing 67.0 points per game (3rd) and have done well defending the perimeter, holding opponents to 27.9% shooting from 3 this season.
“Their ability to shoot is the thing that really stands out,” Hoiberg said. “They shoot over 40 percent as a team. Their guards are really quick, and they do a great job getting into the paint.”
Hoiberg knows Murray State head coach Steve Prohm well. Prohm was who took over for Hoiberg at Iowa State when he took the Chicago Bulls head coaching job.
“I think he’s a great guy and I think he’s a hell of a coach,” Hoiberg said of Prohm. “So they do a really good job of spacing the floor. They run a lot of really good actions, especially for their shooters when they get it going. And their bigs, the guys that do play, they’re very active going to the glass. They will throw it in there depending on matchups. I’ve been impressed with this team and their overall quickness and ability to shoot the ball. Those are the things that worry you most about this group.”
With the forecast for Honolulu calling for sunny skies and 80-degree temperatures during the days of the tournament, the Huskers want to enjoy the experience of being in Hawaii during the holidays.
But making sure winning basketball games and the tournament is the top priority.
“If we go out there and guys want to sit on the beach and do all that, we’re probably not going to be very successful,” Hoiberg said. “We’ve talked a lot to our guys about going out there, enjoying the experience and enjoying the process, but understanding when that ball goes up in the air, we got to be on point and we got to be ready to go.”
Nebraska preferred to fly to Hawaii on Thursday, but due to finals at UNL, the departure day was pushed to Friday. The Huskers landed in Honolulu on Friday afternoon local time.
Hoiberg said the Huskers had a light workout on the court after landing and will have a practice on Saturday before the Sunday game. The tight schedule won’t be an excuse, Hoiberg said, because every team in the tournament, outside of host Hawaii, is making the same trip.
“We’re all in the same boat on this trip,” Hoiberg said. “It’s something where the team that puts the distractions behind them — you got the time change, got a new ball that we’ve been practicing with all week — but it’s the same thing for everybody. It’s the short turnarounds, and the team that prepares the best will have the most success in the tournament this week.”
On Tuesday, the off day on Christmas Eve, Hoiberg said there will be a team meal with some of the family members that also made the trip. They’ll find time to fit that in between a practice and multiple film sessions.
An SEC defensive back is headed to Lincoln via the transfer portal.
Former Georgia DB Justyn Rhett has committed to Nebraska. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Rhett appeared in four games over two seasons for the powerhouse Bulldogs. He finishes his Georgia career with three tackles.
The 6-1, 200-pound DB got to Athens from the football factory out of Las Vegas, Bishop Gorman. A four-star prospect out of high school, Rhett was selected to play in Under Armour All-America Game and picked Georgia over Alabama, Michigan, Florida State, LSU, Tennessee, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oregon, and more.
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Politics1 week agoCanadian premier threatens to cut off energy imports to US if Trump imposes tariff on country
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/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25789444/1258459915.jpg "OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever says the way AI is built is about to change")
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/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25546252/STK169_Mark_Zuckerburg_CVIRGINIA_D.jpg "Meta asks the US government to block OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit")
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Business1 week agoFreddie Freeman's World Series walk-off grand slam baseball sells at auction for $1.56 million
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News1 week agoEast’s wintry mix could make travel dicey. And yes, that was a tornado in Calif.
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/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
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