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Nebraska Basketball: Unique situation when it comes to Head Coach Fred Hoiberg

By Bryan Mauro

Jan 11, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg checks the scoreboard in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg checks the scoreboard in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nebraska Basketball
Nebraska Basketball guard Alonzo Verge Jr. Fred Hoiberg Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

When Nebraska fired Tim Miles for Fred Hoiberg the move made sense, it was the one coach out there who could get the most out of the program and get Nebraska Basketball over the hump and finally get the coveted first NCAA tournament win for the program.

Fast forward to present day and Nebraska is the worst power five team in the country. They are one of the worst teams in the country over the last three years. The Cornhuskers stand at 20-62 and 5-46 overall in the Big Ten conference.

This year was supposed to be different as it was finally the first year that Nebraska had some continuity. They had a good portion of their roster returning from the previous year and added a great recruiting class including the likely Big Ten Freshman of the Year Bryce McGowens.  The Huskers were supposed to be a sleeper and were picked by many to surprise.

The reality of this year is a team that lacks chemistry and defined roles, they have not beaten a power five team, they are one of the worst shooting teams in the country, they don’t play much defense or rebound and there is a great chance that Nebraska becomes one of the only power schools to ever go winless in a conference season. They have given up 100 twice, have been beaten by 30+ four times, and have become an easy win for every team in the Big Ten.

So why is it not working?  Hoiberg has had a problem assembling talent that plays together well, he has never been able to secure a true point guard, and he has no one that is a great on-ball defender. In year one he had to rebuild from the ground up. In year 2 the team was gaining steam and learning to play together before a 30-day Covid pause derailed the season. This season two key injuries to players set them back and challenged the depth.

For those that don’t know I am a huge Nebraska fan, I have watched every game for a long time and this is the absolute worst it has ever been and it doesn’t seem that Coach Hoiberg is able to get the team out of the slump. They have eight games left this year to gain some momentum. The Athletic Director Trev Alberts is also facing a unique set of circumstances when it comes to Hoiberg.

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