Nebraska
What Nebraska AD Trev Alberts said about firing Scott Frost, hiring a new coach — and what he really means
Scott Frost is out. Mickey Joseph is in. Trev Alberts is up.
That was some Sunday at Memorial Stadium, beginning with an 11 a.m. assembly between Frost, the fifth-year Nebraska coach, and Alberts, the second-year athletic director. Alberts fired Frost and accompanied him to see the Huskers. Alberts addressed the workforce and left Frost to talk in non-public to his gamers.
Alberts invited Joseph, the first-year assistant, into the room and introduced his promotion to interim head coach. The AD then watched Joseph discuss to the Huskers about his plan to resuscitate the season.
All of it by midday.
The announcement got here earlier than 12:30 p.m. Alberts held a information convention at 3 p.m.
“This can be a day that I’d hoped would by no means come,” Alberts stated. “I need to thank coach Frost. I had the chance to get to know Scott a bit bit and are available to understand him. Scott labored actually onerous right here. Scott loves Nebraska. He’ll all the time be a Husker. He’s a Nebraskan. He needed this factor to work. And I can inform you I actually needed this factor to work. Our donors needed it to work.
“Everyone needed it to work.”
Alas, it didn’t work.
Trev Alberts tried to make it work with Scott Frost. However now his focus is on hiring Frost’s successor. (Steven Branscombe / Getty Pictures)
“You run an expert group that has excessive requirements — accountability has to matter,” Alberts stated. “And Scott and I talked about this very clearly: 16-31 was not at a stage that was acceptable to us.”
As the primary program to throw its hat into the 2022 teaching carousel, Nebraska has time on its facet. Quickly, although, conversations will concentrate on the candidates to take over and the attractiveness of the Nebraska job after the five-time nationwide championship program endured 5 consecutive dropping seasons.
The Huskers, 1-2 within the wake of a 45-42 loss Saturday night time at dwelling in opposition to Georgia Southern, host Oklahoma on Saturday in what was alleged to be essentially the most vital occasion on the soccer calendar this month in Lincoln.
It’s been upstaged.
“There’s 9 video games left within the season,” Alberts stated. “We owed it to our gamers. We owed it to our followers to present these gamers a possibility these final 9 video games. We’ve received good gamers on this soccer workforce. I believe a distinct voice and having some new vitality and enthusiasm could make a distinction.”
Alberts, on the outset of a fifth Nebraska soccer teaching search since 2004, had loads extra to say Sunday. Right here’s a take a look at eight of his most notable feedback, with an evaluation of every.
“There’s no negotiated settlement. The College of Nebraska has a protracted historical past of dwelling as much as what we agreed to. So the contract is what the contract is. And the college will comply.”
This was an eye-opener. Per the phrases of the restructured contract to which Frost and Alberts agreed final November, the coach’s buyout of $15 million was set to be lower in half on Oct. 1. Nebraska positioned the date at some extent within the season that will have allowed Alberts time to fireplace Frost 20 days from now and stay forward of different applications seeking a brand new coach.
Nevertheless it wasn’t early sufficient. Alberts stated he determined Saturday night time that he’d seen sufficient. It was time, even when it meant he’d have to search out an extra $7.5 million to eliminate Frost effectively earlier than anybody within the final offseason would have anticipated.
Alberts declined to supply specifics on the supply of the money to cowl the liquidated damages.
“I believed it will work. Pay attention, all of us have quick recollections. However Scott Frost was among the many absolute leaders in that (2017) cycle of teaching. Scott’s an excellent soccer coach. Scott’s going to go on and be a profitable coach. I informed him that this morning, and he agreed. … The precise state of affairs will emerge, and I believe he’ll achieve success.”
Extra so than predecessors Steve Pederson in 2002 and ’03 and Shawn Eichorst in 2013 and ’14, Alberts tried to make it work along with his coach. Their personalities are fairly completely different, as seen every now and then in joint appearances over the previous 14 months, however Frost and Alberts discovered widespread floor as former Nebraska gamers who realized underneath Tom Osborne.
Frost’s future in teaching will stay a supply of curiosity for Nebraska followers in a lot the identical method that they adopted Frank Solich after he was fired in 2003. Solich, in fact, went on to teach for 16 years at Ohio, retiring in 2021.
“I’m effectively conscious of the place the market has shifted when it comes to compensation. At a spot like Nebraska, we’re very blessed to be able to fulfill market demand. And positively, sources gained’t be an obstacle to hiring the kind of coach to steer the Husker program.”
Nebraska spent almost $28 million to purchase out the contracts of three fired soccer coaches and two males’s basketball coaches over the previous 15 years. It’s a determine that can skyrocket with the cash owed to Frost. And that’s to not point out the money paid to assistant coaches who’ve misplaced jobs in teaching shuffles at Nebraska. Nebraska’s 10 assistant coaches this 12 months are signed by the tip of the 2023 season.
However Alberts doesn’t seem fazed as he units out to discover a coach. The current multimedia rights deal struck by the Huge Ten takes impact in 2023 and can pay Nebraska greater than $70 million per 12 months. That helps.
What’s market worth? Frost earned $5 million per 12 months at some point of his time at Nebraska. Michigan State’s Mel Tucker and Ohio State’s Ryan Day are to be paid $9.5 million this 12 months, amongst no less than 13 coaches nationally who’re paid $7 million or extra yearly.
“This job has benefits to different jobs, and it has some disadvantages. It’s the identical factor with each job in school soccer. We have now 1.8 million folks (within the state of Nebraska). That’s not going to vary. However now we have some built-in benefits right here. So we’ve received to play to our strengths and construct on these. The correct of coach (will) see this as a possibility to rebuild and construct one thing particular.”
Alberts brings neither the vanity of Pederson nor the naivete of Eichorst to a training search. He possesses a recognition of Nebraska’s place within the school soccer energy construction. It’s not the identical program that gained nationwide championships within the Nineteen Nineties, nevertheless it has massively underachieved lately.
Nebraska will cease speaking about its championships and “issues we used to do,” Alberts stated. Its plan with a brand new coach, he stated, includes a concentrate on course of, particulars and fundamentals. “Championship habits,” in keeping with Alberts. Apply them, he stated, and wins observe.
“I’ve all the time believed that nice coaches are folks of character. They’re folks managers. They’re tradition builders. I believe they’re grinders. Quite a lot of the good ones don’t have an entire lot of hobbies as a result of (teaching) is all they know.”
So Alberts isn’t searching for a golf associate, it appears. “I like individuals who hate to lose greater than they get pleasure from successful,” he stated.
The AD adopted that assertion with a qualifier: He was not providing a judgment on Frost. The previous coach made choices in the very best curiosity of Nebraska, Alberts stated. All events are shifting on.
Nonetheless, the following coach figures to mesh effectively personally with Alberts, who’s 52 and wears a swimsuit to his workplace within the stadium on daily basis.
“Mickey’s an lively man. He’s fairly black and white. I used to be in there when he talked to the workforce. I believe he sees this as an actual alternative for himself professionally. I believe he has an infectious character. … He has some completely different emotions about construction and strategy in how he’ll deal with follow and a few various things. They’ll be some quick, pretty vital adjustments in his strategy. He had a really poignant dialog with the workforce at this time that I believed they took very effectively.”
Extra of the discuss from Alberts centered on Joseph than is regular when an interim coach is called. Why? Effectively, Joseph, 54, is a former Nebraska standout like Frost and Alberts, beginning at QB for Osborne in 1990. Joseph was a celebrated recruit from Louisiana and felt a pull to return to Nebraska this 12 months from his dwelling state after he spent 5 seasons at LSU.
Additionally, Joseph will get 9 video games to steer the Huskers, greater than an ordinary interim tenure. Alberts stated he’ll deal with Joseph much like a everlasting head coach this fall.
“I inspired Mickey to be the pinnacle coach and make choices as the pinnacle coach,” Alberts stated.
Joseph rose from teaching as an assistant at Omaha North in 1995 by numerous ranges of the sport to LSU and Nebraska. His solely time as a head coach got here at a Louisiana highschool from 2005 to ’08 and at Langston College, an NAIA faculty in Oklahoma, in 2011 and ’12.
Joseph is about to reply questions from the media Tuesday. His presence and the adjustments he initiates will add intrigue to this teaching search and the eventual transition.
“I believe now we have a possibility to rent an impressive coach that may lead our program. I’d like to see Mickey develop into that, and we’ll simply see the place it goes. However we’ll do a nationwide search. And if at that time Mickey is an apparent candidate, he’ll be a part of that dialog as effectively.”
A provocative assertion, for positive, from Alberts. If the Huskers achieve momentum underneath Joseph, he’s sure to emerge as a fan and participant favourite, a la Bo Pelini in 2003 in the course of the aggravating interval across the Huskers’ Alamo Bowl look as Pederson looked for a successor to Solich.
“There can be plenty of rumors on the market. There’s going to be plenty of innuendo. I would like you to know that these types of choices and processes aren’t made in a silo. I’ve plenty of nice mentors and mates that we’ll be working with. Finally, in a previous life, I’ve plenty of relationships with coaches on this enterprise, and I intend to succeed in out to lots of people. So in case you hear that Trev Alberts reached out to XYZ coach, it doesn’t imply that I’ve provided the job to XYZ coach. I believe there’s some fabulous coaches on the market who’ve a perspective about our job that I may gain advantage from.”
Alberts plans to enlist the assistance of varied coaches and a 3rd celebration — probably a search agency — to assist with logistics within the search. He careworn that he made no strikes to contact any coaches or brokers earlier than Sunday. He gained’t rush by a search, however Alberts stated he hoped to make use of the time at his disposal to pick out a coach forward of the early signing interval in December.
He’s an skilled communicator. So anticipate this search to tackle an expert look from the skin. What issues, although, is the way it progresses inside and who emerges as the selection of Alberts — not when.
(Prime photograph of Scott Frost: Steven Branscombe / Getty Pictures)
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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