Nebraska
Dave Feit: Who Shall Lead Us?
Usually, we might use this house to go over the sport that simply occurred. What went proper for Nebraska, what went improper, who shone brightest, and who can do higher.
However let’s be trustworthy: I do not wish to write concerning the Michigan sport. You in all probability do not wish to examine it. Nebraska misplaced to Michigan 34-3 in a sport that was over when the Wolverines scored their first landing. We should always ship Jim Harbaugh a thanks notice for not scoring 50 factors. It was a irritating, miserable, sobering take a look at the place this system is at as we endure by way of the ultimate chapters of the Scott Frost period.
The Nebraska program is in worse form at the moment than any level within the final 60 years. Prime to backside, Nebraska is worse at the moment than they had been on the finish of the Mike Riley period. I don’t consider it is a debatable level.*
*From the beginning of the 2018 by way of Saturday’s video games, Nebraska is 61st out of the 65 Energy 5 groups by way of wins, with 18. The one groups to win fewer video games within the final 5 (nearly) full seasons are Rutgers (15), Vanderbilt (15), Arizona (14) and Kansas (14).
That is why Frost was fired, and why this subsequent rent is important. So as a substitute of recapping the sport, let’s discuss Nebraska’s subsequent head coach. Who it is perhaps, who it isn’t, and what we are able to be taught from the rent and the method. I am going to let you know up entrance that I’ve no sources.* However I believe there’s lots of info on the market if we select to see it.
*My present “sources” are individuals who have their very own sources (however my DMs are open if you wish to inform me who your brother’s neighbor’s actual property agent is speaking to). Backside line: Till the press convention happens, take all rumors with a grain of salt.
I’m going to make use of my regular postgame format, however tweak it for the teaching search.
Issues I consider
Mickey Joseph won’t be Nebraska’s full-time head coach. I like Mickey. You want Mickey. I consider that in the best state of affairs, Mickey Joseph could be a profitable head coach. However Nebraska – particularly now – is just not that state of affairs.
Considered one of my greatest takeaways from Mickey’s tenure is the facility of trustworthy, direct communication. So, let’s be blunt: Given NU’s quarterback well being and offensive struggles, the Huskers aren’t prone to win both of their last two video games. That might make Mickey 2-7 because the interim head coach, using a six-game shedding streak. Whereas I am on report that a lot of Nebraska’s failures are as a consequence of issues out of Mickey Joseph’s management, it could be unattainable for athletic director Trev Alberts to promote/spin Mickey as a great rent at that time.
There was a time when followers might have gotten on board with Mickey because the full-time head coach, however that window has closed. If Mickey Joseph had been employed at the moment, my assumption can be that Trev Alberts had been turned down by each different candidate on his listing. I do not suppose I am alone on this opinion. Proper or improper, the notion that Alberts failed would forged a shadow over Joseph’s (and Alberts’) tenure at NU.
Please don’t take this as a shot at Mickey. As I’ve mentioned beforehand, he is in an unattainable state of affairs with a patchwork roster and workers. I respect the hell out of his ardour, vitality and management. I consider he can have all kinds of job choices for 2023: assistant/ace recruiter underneath the brand new coach, head coach at a smaller college (critically, are you able to think about him operating a FCS workforce in Louisiana?), or as an assistant wherever he’d select to go.
Personally, I am rooting for him to remain at Nebraska. Again in September, I mentioned Mickey was going to depart Nebraska higher than he discovered it. That’s 100% correct no matter his last report is as interim head coach.
With no apparent, home-run rent, there shall be factions of upset followers. Keep in mind the 2017 teaching search? Our grandkids won’t ever consider how a lot of a sure-thing, slam dunk rent Frost was in 2017. He checked so many containers, that Invoice Moos’ listing of candidates was a single identify.
However this is not 2017. This time, there aren’t any seemingly candidates with pristine résumés. Throw a reputation out on Twitter or a message board and folk gives you a protracted listing of the reason why that man will not work out.
With no clear-cut, home-run rent, we have to settle for two truths:
- Each single candidate has flaws. Matt Campbell could have peaked in Ames. Lane Kiffin was run out of Tennessee and USC. Matt Rhule was simply fired at Carolina.
- Be ready for vocal critics of the brand new coach. No matter who Trev picks – even Mickey Joseph – there WILL be critics who level out each single flaw and gap in his résumé. It will not be as unhealthy as when Mike Riley was employed, however there shall be vocal skeptics.
It’s silly to view this coach search as a single (or double) elimination event. As this season-long search has dragged on, I have been laughing on the individuals who suppose that at any time when (Teaching Candidate)’s workforce loses, he’s robotically eradicated from consideration.
Iowa State loses? Matt Campbell is out. Baylor loses? Dave Aranda is out? Matt Rhule obtained fired? Oh, he is positively out. LOL.
That is not how a training search works. If something, having a coach like Aranda lose just a few video games works to Nebraska’s benefit. He is much less prone to stick round, or get a ridiculous contract extension from his present A.D. Perhaps there is a bonus to a having a head coach who can rise up and operating earlier than the December signing interval.
Cease treating this teaching search just like the NCAA basketball event. Whereas the psychological picture is humorous, I assure Trev Alberts doesn’t have a 32-coach bracket in his workplace that he updates after the weekend’s wins and losses.
Issues I don’t know
What are Trev Alberts’ imaginative and prescient and expectations for the Nebraska program? To me, that is crucial query in the complete search. Whereas I am clearly dying to know who the following coach shall be, I am simply as curious to search out out the reply to this query.
Scroll to Proceed
If/when Trev is requested this query, I totally anticipate him to say “win championships.”
However is {that a}) trustworthy, and b) reasonable?
Over the past 5 years, Nebraska has turn into one of many worst groups within the Energy 5. Solely Rutgers, Vanderbilt, Arizona and Kansas have gained fewer video games than NU. When the Massive Ten provides USC and UCLA after subsequent yr and (presumably) eliminates divisions, Nebraska’s street to a championship turns into tougher. Proper now, to play for a title NU simply must be the very best of a mediocre division. In 2024, the Huskers would want to beat out 14 different groups.
Really being a championship workforce means Nebraska’s subsequent head coach (and workers) are prime 10 within the nation in recruiting yearly. They keep expertise, develop it higher than most, and once they patch holes from the portal, they do not miss. Championship-caliber groups are elite in (a minimum of) two of the three phases of the sport. They’re disciplined, well-coached, and make in-game changes.
Again in August, I laid out my long-term expectations for this system. Of the assorted teaching candidates, I’ve seen named, there in all probability are 5-10 that might have that stage of success at NU. Make no mistake, it is a full-on rebuild from the bottom up. Not each coach goes to be as much as the problem. If the bar is nearer to my short-term, season particular expectation (6 wins and bowl sport), then the pool of viable candidates turns into a lot bigger.
But when Trev is really critical about making Nebraska a championship contender once more? He will want to tug a rabbit out of his hat.
There’s an previous cliché about new coaches “successful the press convention.” On this case, the onus shall be on Trev Alberts. With no clear, home-run candidate, followers might want to perceive Trev’s logic, his imaginative and prescient for this system, and the way (Coach) matches into that plan. I believe Trev can have good a robust, well-prepared response. If he needs to set a extra reasonable expectation for the fan base, he’ll by no means have a greater alternative.
Will cash be a problem? In principle, Nebraska might make its subsequent head coach one of many highest paid within the nation. Between the cash from the Massive Ten Convention, boosters, and different income sources, Trev Alberts might make a suggestion that will be unattainable for many coaches to refuse.
However will he?
The rumor mill* says Trev would not wish to pay the exorbitant salaries of the highest coaches within the nation. Extra particularly, he’s mentioned to be towards handing out the mega buyouts that can preserve Jimbo Fisher, Mel Tucker and others employed for years to return.
*Sure, this is identical rumor mill that at varied factors on this search has had everyone from City Meyer to Deion Sanders able to signal a contract. Once more, use skepticism as wanted.
If true, I get the priority. Trev has gained a fame as any person who’s fiscally conservative. Some would possibly name that “tight” or “low-cost,” however Nebraska has paid out tens of tens of millions of {dollars} in buyouts to fired coaches during the last decade. There’s a simple argument to be made that giant buyouts are the first motive Frost and Fred Hoiberg each returned for 2022.
My hunch is that when Trev finds his man, that coach will obtain a aggressive wage, however with a smaller buyout than what Frost is presently gathering. My hope is that Alberts chooses to splurge on the wage pool for assistant coaches, as they’re going to have so much to do with the longer term coach’s success or failure.
How is the Nebraska job perceived by Trev’s prime candidates? That is one other query that can seemingly by no means be answered.
At any time when Trev Alberts introduces Nebraska’s subsequent head coach, the narrative shall be that (Coach) is the one particular person Trev pursued, the one one to get an interview, yada, yada, yada. Trev is fairly forthcoming, however he isn’t going to say that he was turned down by Coaches A, B, and C due to X, Y, and Z.
However I might like to know the way Trev’s prime targets felt concerning the Nebraska job. We will recite the quite a few professionals of the NU job (unmatched fan assist, superb amenities, soccer is king, blue-blood standing, sleeping large potential, to call just a few).
However what do the coaches see? Do they see a fan base/administration that has fired two nine-win coaches this century? Over 20 years of dysfunction and drama? The shadow and affect of a legendary coach that also extends over this system? With the playoffs increasing, is it simpler or tougher to win a championship in a 16-team mega convention? How does a division-less convention change issues? With divisions, NU is an effective job. You beat six groups that may’t match NU’s expertise, and get an opportunity to play for a title. With out divisions, you are preventing to be within the prime 4 of the league.
Nebraska’s financial sources is perhaps greener, however the proverbial grass might not be.
5 causes I’m not supplying you with a “sizzling board” of candidates
- I do not wish to debate candidates. As we talked about above, it is simple to poke holes in each candidate’s résumé. Over two months into the search, I’ve misplaced what little urge for food I had for it.
- I believe the phrase “sizzling board” is dumb. “Scorching Board” seems like one thing that be in my sister’s previous “Teen Beat” magazines.
- You do not actually care who I’ve on there. Until I had some loopy, out-of-left-field identify, you’d by no means bear in mind if I had Lance Leipold as my first, second, or third alternative. (Spoiler: most of us felt the identical manner about your sizzling listing).
- I by no means made an inventory. Sincere. I by no means did. There are guys I might want over others, however until Trev requested for my enter (he did not, btw), I by no means felt it was well worth the effort to place collectively an inventory of candidates.
- I consider within the Golden Rule. Since I began penning this piece, I have been listening to a reputation talked about (so much), so it would not be trustworthy for me put him on the prime of a made-up listing simply to say “I referred to as it!”
5 fan candidates who’re by no means, ever teaching right here
- City Meyer. He isn’t coming right here. If you happen to suppose he must be, I query your judgment.
- Deion Sanders. Is Coach Prime prepared for a Energy 5 workforce? Is Nebraska prepared for Coach Prime? A type of is a particular “no.”
- Lane Kiffin. He’d be lots of enjoyable, however I do not see Nebraska paying sufficient to seize a coach from an SEC workforce within the prime 15.
- Bret Bielema. Given what he is completed at Wisconsin and Illinois, he clearly is aware of what he is doing. However until the phrases of his contract included removing of his Hawkeye tattoo, I could not sleep at evening.
- Jeff Monken. Keep in mind in 2014 when Husker followers needed to Google to search out out who Mike Riley was? In 2022, it could be “Alexa, who the heck is Jeff Monken?”
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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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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.
MORE: Nebraska Women’s Basketball Falls at No. 17 Georgia Tech
MORE: Dave Feit’s Historical College Football Playoffs: The Post-Osborne Nebraska Teams
MORE: Purdue Transfer Quarterback Marcos Davila Commits to Nebraska
MORE: Carriker Chronicles: Nebraska Big Day; Coaching Staff Is Better
MORE: Despite Final Four Loss, Nebraska Volleyball Has Plenty to Be Proud Of This Season
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
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