Nebraska
‘Go totally underground with this’: Unraveling Nebraska’s 76-day coaching search
LINCOLN, Neb. — Rattling.
That’s all Matt Rhule might suppose.
Throughout a clandestine journey to see the College of Nebraska on the final weekend in October because the Huskers performed Illinois, he and his spouse, Julie, thought they’d discovered a match. Now, weeks later, the deal appeared useless, struck down by issues involving the size of the contract and Rhule’s big buyout with the Carolina Panthers, the NFL group that fired him 4 video games into his third season as coach.
Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts, the Panthers and Rhule’s agent, Hint Armstrong, had been at an deadlock.
“Pardon my language,” Rhule mentioned, “however rattling, like that was the suitable place for me, and it simply kinda didn’t work out.”
Alberts, although, didn’t hand over. He remembered a dialog from the primary hours of the teaching search, when chancellor Ronnie Inexperienced supplied his recommendation.
“Go underground,” Inexperienced instructed Alberts. “Go completely underground with this.”
So Alberts did.
He stored a decent lid on the 76-day search that includes the likes of Kansas’ Lance Leipold and a dozen different coaches, together with a late-hour addition in Luke Fickell.
However Alberts most wished Rhule. Alberts knew it could be troublesome. He heard from colleagues, the media, anybody within the soccer neighborhood with a voice that Rhule probably wouldn’t coach in 2023. The 52-year-old AD, employed at Nebraska in July 2021, noticed Rhule as a problem. Alberts labored arduous in October and early November to persuade Rhule that Nebraska was the suitable place for him on the proper time.
And simply because the Huskers’ season beneath interim coach Mickey Joseph turned sharply within the mistaken path, Matt and Julie Rhule flew in for a secret go to within the gentle of day to gauge the match.
It was Oct. 29, Day 48 since Alberts fired Scott Frost.
“We drove round,” Rhule mentioned, “and we mentioned this can be a place that’s dedicated to greatness.”
Rhule, 47, wore a hat and sun shades to keep away from discover. “I can’t consider nobody came upon,” he mentioned.
The Rhules left Lincoln on the Sunday after the Huskers’ 26-9 loss at Memorial Stadium. They vacationed in Eire and felt optimistic about negotiations with Nebraska upon their return dwelling to North Carolina. Talks quickly fell aside, although, the contractual hurdles too nice.
“It simply wasn’t going to have the ability to occur,” Rhule mentioned.
Rattling.
Till Alberts dug even deeper.
5 years in the past, Nebraska had made an ideal rent on paper – Frost, the previous golden boy quarterback who understood the job, understood the state and beloved the college. He received a nationwide championship for Tom Osborne. He received large at UCF.
“I really consider that we have now employed the premier younger coach within the nation and that thrilling instances lie forward,” former AD Invoice Moos mentioned in introducing Frost.
And he bombed in spectacular vogue with the Huskers, ending 16-31 as Nebraska posted its sixth consecutive dropping season in 2022, including to its worst stretch of soccer in six many years.
Alberts’ process this time round? Rent the suitable coach or fall farther again, maybe hopelessly behind, because the Large Ten accelerates towards a future flush with alternative.
Earlier than Rhule’s time with the Panthers, he constructed faculty applications at Temple and Baylor into contenders and impressed Alberts together with his grinding spirit, consideration to element, ardour to win and emphasis on integrity and tradition.
One downside: Rhule wasn’t out there when Alberts began his search.
And when Kansas beat Iowa State on Oct. 1 to enhance to 5-0, Leipold’s inventory skyrocketed. The identical day, Illinois throttled Wisconsin 34-10, resulting in the shocking firing of Paul Chryst a day later.
The race was formally underway. Reviews surfaced that Nebraska and Wisconsin would possibly have interaction in a bidding struggle over Leipold, who had ties to each Large Ten faculties.
However seven weeks remained till the top of the common season, and early curiosity from Nebraska in Leipold was tepid.
“Simply because a coach began 4-0,” Alberts mentioned, “doesn’t imply that coach goes to go undefeated.” To his level, Kansas completed 6-6.
The Huskers, in the meantime, rebounded from a blowout loss in opposition to Oklahoma to beat Indiana 35-21 in Joseph’s second recreation and 6 days later rallied to win at Rutgers.
Alberts had spent a lot of the primary month of his search in information-gathering mode. He talked with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, to whom Alberts had a connection as a result of his daughter, Ashtynne, performed volleyball on the ACC faculty.
An organized dialog with Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t occur, Alberts mentioned. He additionally didn’t search steering from City Meyer, as many speculated, or pursue him as a candidate. He mentioned he didn’t discuss to the previous Ohio State coach in regards to the Nebraska job when Meyer visited Lincoln with Fox Sports activities in September, days after Frost’s firing.
“We by no means talked,” Alberts mentioned.
He didn’t discuss with Deion Sanders, whose six hours as a rumored candidate on Nov. 11 led the Jackson State coach to squash the discuss in a speech to his staff and caught the curiosity of Desmond Howard on ESPN’s “Faculty GameDay.”
Dave Aranda at Baylor and former TCU coach Gary Patterson, now at Texas because the particular assistant to the pinnacle coach, expressed curiosity. So did Military coach Jeff Monken. Kansas State coach Chris Klieman was lengthy believed to be on Alberts’ checklist.
The second-year AD “interacted” with 13 candidates, he mentioned on the information convention Monday to introduce Rhule.
“His element was impeccable,” mentioned Doug Ewald, Nebraska’s chief monetary officer and government affiliate AD. “If there was a nugget to take, Trev was going to be there to get it.”
His focus sharpened as heat of late summer time gave approach to chilly nights.
After a 1-4 begin this 12 months with the Panthers, Rhule was fired on Oct. 10. He went 11-27 in two-plus seasons, becoming a member of the lengthy checklist of coaches unable to duplicate faculty success within the NFL. He got here dwelling to see tears within the eyes of his 9-year-old daughter, Vivienne. It hit Rhule arduous.
A search agency contacted Rhule that very same day. The coach who loves to evangelise a “what’s subsequent” mentality had lots to think about.
He knew he’d miss his whistle, his folks, his goal. However Rhule didn’t have to leap proper into one other job. Not with 4 years and $40 million left on his Panthers contract. He might take a 12 months off in 2023 and nonetheless make $8.5 million.
Presently final 12 months, Rhule was getting calls from LSU, Florida and Oklahoma. He might afford to be selective and await big-time Energy 5 jobs to open.
Nebraska directors didn’t wish to wait. Alberts inquired about Rhule within the days after he hit the job market.
“Early on within the course of,” mentioned Inexperienced, the chancellor, “the title (Alberts) was mentioning to me most routinely, amongst the checklist of the folks on the market, was Matt Rhule.”
Throughout his first Zoom assembly with Rhule, a former Penn State linebacker, Alberts, who received the Butkus Award at Nebraska in 1993, was blown away.
“I used to be thinking about him as a result of I revered what he did at Temple,” Alberts mentioned. “He beat Penn State at Temple. And he simply began saying all these things. And I’m like, ‘Did he watch my (information convention) or is he that good?’”
They spoke the identical language on the subject of rebuilding a program and a profitable tradition. The Rhule blueprint at Temple and Baylor aligned with all that Alberts envisions for Nebraska. This was the sort of genuine, detailed and process-oriented chief he desired.
When the Rhules sneaked into Lincoln in late October, Angela Alberts, the AD’s spouse, drove the 60 miles to gather them on the Omaha airport. They arrived amid the relative peace of a recreation day afternoon.
Matt Rhule checked out his spouse and will see in her eyes on that heat weekend, he mentioned, that she wished their household to make this transfer.
It made sense, Matt Rhule mentioned. And it made sense to Alberts.
“It’s identical to recruiting,” Alberts mentioned. “It was no totally different for them. If we get folks right here, they’re blown away.”
The Rhules toured Lincoln and drove previous Memorial Stadium. They didn’t dare go inside. At Alberts’ dwelling, College of Nebraska system president Ted Carter visited.
“It was actually extra of a reunion,” Carter mentioned.
Carter and Rhule reminisced in regards to the 2016 American Athletic Convention championship recreation, when Rhule’s Temple staff beat Navy. Carter, on the time, served as superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.
He first met Rhule, Carter mentioned, at an AAC retreat.
“On the finish of the day,” Carter mentioned, “relationships matter.”
On the go to, Matt and Julie pictured elevating their three kids in Lincoln. They acknowledged that maybe they’d discovered the suitable match.
Carter agreed, a sentiment shared by New England Patriots coach Invoice Belichick. Belichick is an previous buddy of the vice admiral and held two joint follow periods with Rhule’s Panthers in August.
Carter and Belichick talked this week about Rhule.
“He’s been out right here to Nebraska,” Carter mentioned of the six-time Tremendous Bowl champion. “He considers Nebraska to be the mecca of soccer. And he’s an enormous fan of Matt Rhule.”
Nonetheless, because the calendar flipped to November, doubts remained in regards to the Rhule-Nebraska match.
Chatter across the search reached a fever pitch on Nov. 3. The morning and early afternoon introduced a number of hours of hypothesis a couple of assembly with Alberts and a bunch of Nebraska regents over a attainable impending contract supply to a candidate.
Native hysteria adopted. Discuss radio caught hearth. A number of media reviews addressed the weird nature of that Thursday.
There was nothing to it, Carter mentioned this week.
“I’m not stunned,” Alberts mentioned of the rumors. “It’s arduous. Individuals can say stuff on social media, and it sounds actually legit.”
Ewald, the Nebraska CFO, responded two nights earlier to a rumor with little traction that Aranda was in line at Nebraska.
“Utterly mistaken!” Ewald tweeted.
Then Nebraska’s third consecutive loss — on Nov. 5 in opposition to Minnesota — unofficially sunk Joseph’s candidacy.
On Nov. 18, the Friday earlier than Wisconsin performed in Lincoln, Joseph, 54, introduced to Alberts his plan to repair the Huskers. It had developed over Joseph’s 11 weeks in cost.
However Nebraska was deep into its pursuit of extra skilled coaches.
Joseph’s contract stipulated a return to his earlier place as an assistant coach on the conclusion of Alberts’ search, permitting for the brand new head coach to determine Joseph’s standing. His future on the faculty is in query after his arrest Wednesday on suspicion of felony strangulation and third-degree home assault after a disturbance at his dwelling. He was booked into jail and positioned on administrative go away by Nebraska.
Negotiations with Rhule and the Panthers had grown “lengthy and arduous,” Alberts mentioned. Talks broke down and restarted. Issues arose as Nebraska engaged with Armstrong, Rhule’s agent, and with the Panthers group. All wage Nebraska paid to Rhule by way of 2026 would offset what Carolina nonetheless owed, so the phrases of the deal needed to fulfill all three events.
Rhule was impressed by his talks with Alberts and Carter, however he nonetheless had a number of causes to be reluctant. He’d by no means coached within the Midwest. He didn’t know anybody in Lincoln. Was he actually the suitable match for the job? Might he get gifted gamers to Nebraska? Was the college keen to make a long-term dedication to him?
Most of all, he puzzled whether or not a deal that was acceptable for all sides was too difficult. However by mid-November, he was beginning to hope it could work out.
Because the back-and-forth talks continued, Rhule stayed busy. He lined up appearances on NFL Community and ESPN to see how he would possibly fare if he went the TV route. The household deliberate a visit to their trip dwelling in Cape Could, N.J.
However he stored doing his homework on Nebraska. He studied video games and recruiting movie, referred to as teaching friends and even looked for movies together with his 18-year-old son, Bryant, to study all they might in regards to the Huskers.
“I’m telling you, in the event you test my son’s YouTube historical past, we’ve watched every part,” Rhule mentioned. “I might see my son getting excited.”
Talks with Leipold intensified when the Rhule deal seemed to be off. Leipold had a novel relationship to the job. He’d labored as a recruiting staffer for the Frank Solich-coached Huskers from 2001 to 2003. He invested a decade of his profession in constructing the Nebraska-Omaha soccer program, which Alberts shuttered as AD on the faculty in 2011.
If Leipold acquired a suggestion, it could be a troublesome choice. However by two days earlier than Thanksgiving, he now not heard from Nebraska.
Kansas AD Travis Goff had supplied Leipold a contract extension in early October as “Faculty GameDay” readied to seem in Lawrence earlier than the Jayhawks hosted TCU. When the traces of communication remained open, Leipold was keen to attend on the Huskers.
Now not. Kansas upped the supply, doubling his wage to $5 million. Leipold agreed to remain.
A daring funding. A daring imaginative and prescient.
Constructing collectively for sustained success.
We’re simply getting began with @CoachLeipold, who agreed to phrases with @KUAthletics pic.twitter.com/iCXId6DXDh
— Kansas Soccer (@KU_Football) November 23, 2022
Regardless of the snagged negotiations, once more, all roads led Alberts again to Rhule.
The second that he believed the deal was useless revealed Rhule’s true emotions in regards to the alternative.
“These job issues occur so quick,” he mentioned. “You discuss to them, they give you the job, you progress on. I had a second the place I didn’t suppose it was gonna work out. And I sat there and I used to be actually dissatisfied. So after they referred to as again and mentioned, ‘Hey, what if let’s attempt one thing else,’ I knew then that this was the place I used to be alleged to be.”
(Justin Casterline / Getty Photos)
If Oct. 29 performed out because the day within the Nebraska teaching search when the desk was set, dinner was served on Nov. 22.
Alberts introduced a brand new supply to Rhule’s agent. However this time, Rhule wasn’t the one heavy hitter within the ballpark.
Howdy, Luke Fickell.
In his sixth season at Cincinnati, Fickell was prepared to speak about an exit. One 12 months after main the Bearcats to the Faculty Soccer Playoff and 7 months earlier than their deliberate leap to the Large 12, his curiosity illustrated the ability shift in faculty soccer that continues to favor the SEC and the Large Ten.
“There’s little doubt about it, let’s be sincere,” Alberts mentioned, “there’s a Energy 2 proper now.”
With an ace up his sleeve and the clock ticking, Alberts returned to negotiations with Armstrong over Rhule.
“He and I stored going by way of it,” Alberts mentioned. “I’d give right here, he’d give there. And gosh, how lengthy had been we doing this? Daily.”
Did Alberts current a deadline for Rhule to just accept or lose the supply?
“I hadn’t completed that but,” he mentioned, “however I used to be shut.”
The decision from Armstrong to Alberts got here on Thanksgiving, round 11 a.m. Alberts was dwelling in Lincoln. He delayed his journey to Iowa Metropolis for the season finale till Friday with a view to spend time together with his household on the vacation. And probably, to strike a deal on Rhule.
After extra haggling with Armstrong, Alberts mentioned, Rhule’s agent “obtained to the place I used to be comfy.”
“We’re good,” Alberts mentioned.
“What did you say?” responded Armstrong.
“I feel we obtained a deal.”
The contract pays Rhule $74 million over eight years.
“I simply believed in my coronary heart that we had the suitable particular person,” Alberts mentioned. “There are nice coaches on the market. And of these coaches that I talked to, all of them might have completed a terrific job. However generally, you’re on the lookout for the suitable match.
“Who’s the very best particular person given our present realities?”
Alberts mentioned he believes that Nebraska sits in a weak state as a soccer program and an athletic division.
Rhule’s wage jumps from $5.5 million over the following 13 months to $12.5 million in 2030. It features a $7 million pool for 10 assistant coaches and a buyout for Rhule, if fired with out trigger, that might pay him 90 % of his remaining wage. The construction means that the Panthers owe 30 % ($12 million) of what’s left on his NFL contract.
Till the ultimate hours, Rhule remained not sure it could work. Because the three events finalized contract particulars, rumors flew forward of the Huskers’ 3 p.m. kickoff Friday in Iowa Metropolis that Rhule had turned it down.
Even after Alberts and Armstrong privately agreed, the names of Fickell, Klieman, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, NC State’s Dave Doeren and former BYU and Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall generated hypothesis amongst trade insiders.
Nebraska made its announcement on Saturday morning.
The longer term is vivid in Lincoln.
Introducing Matt Rhule: Head Coach, Nebraska Soccer#GBR pic.twitter.com/yvGE9mWYnh
— Nebraska Soccer (@HuskerFBNation) November 26, 2022
“This was arduous. It was actually arduous. It was a tough course of,” Alberts mentioned. “However I feel Matt was decided to discover a method and I used to be decided to discover a method.”
A day later, Wisconsin employed Fickell, introduced at seven years for greater than $50 million.
𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝚰𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝚰𝐒𝐎𝐍
Welcome @CoachFick ! pic.twitter.com/ybE9U3b3nu
— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerFootball) November 27, 2022
When the decision got here that Alberts and Armstrong struck a deal, Julie Rhule teared up.
“My spouse, all alongside, simply stored saying that is the suitable match,” Rhule mentioned. “She mentioned, ‘Matt, I do know you. That is the sort of program that you simply’re alleged to be teaching.’”
(Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; Mike Ehrmann / Getty; Elsa / AP; Rebecca S. Gratz / Getty Photos)
Nebraska
Nebraska Men’s Basketball takes care of business in Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic opener
HONOLULU, Hawaii (KOLN/Huskers.com) – Andrew Morgan and Connor Essegian combined for 27 points off the bench, while Nebraska’s defense held Murray State to a season-low point total in a 66-49 win in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Sunday evening.
Morgan posted his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Essegian led Nebraska (8-2) with 15 points, including five 3-pointers. In all, NU’s bench outscored the Racers, 29-11.
The Huskers held Murray State to 31 percent shooting, including just 4-of-28 in the first half as Nebraska built a 20-point halftime lead and led by double figures most of the night. NU held the Racers (6-5) to nearly 30 points below their season average. Rollie Worster was the third Husker in double figures with 11 points, as Nebraska shot nearly 50 percent from the field and enjoyed a 40-26 advantage on the glass.
Nebraska will play Hawai’i on Monday at 9:30 p.m. (central) on ESPN2 and on the Husker Sports Network.
Nebraska put on a defensive clinic in the first half, holding Murray State to just four field goals in the opening 20 minutes in building a 34-14 halftime lead. Nebraska held the Racers to 4-of-28 shooting from the field, including 1-of-13 inside the arc.
Juwan Gary got the Huskers scoring seven of NU’s first nine points in the first 5:15 of the game, as his 3-point play with 14:45 left in the half ignited a 16-0 spurt for Nebraska. The Huskers held MSU scoreless for over six minutes in building a 22-4 lead after a steal and basket from Brice Williams.
Murray State rallied behind Kylen Milton, who scored seven straight points in a 50-second span, including a four-point play to trim the lead to 22-11 with 7:44 left in the half.
Nebraska, which got 17 first-half points from its bench, responded with a pair of 3-pointers from Essegian, who finished with nine first-half points. Nebraska stretched the lead to 20 after consecutive baskets from Morgan.
The Huskers built its largest lead of the game, at 39-16 following a Williams’ 3-pointer with 18:50 left before the Racers started to chip away. Murray State cut a 21-point lead to 16 following a 3-pointer from AJ Ferguson with 14:26 left before a Braxton Meah dunk ended the run.
The teams would trade baskets and NU led 57-38 with just over seven minutes left before the Racers, who shot 48 percent from the field after halftime made one last run. MSU went on an 11-4 run to pull to within 61-49 on a 3-pointer from Kylen Milton with 3:33 left, but would get no closer as a jumper by Wooster and Essegian’s fifth 3-pointer of the night accounted for the final margin.
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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.
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