Fans get first look at Nebraska basketball during 'Opening Night' event
The Nebraska men’s basketball program gave the first public look at its 2022-23 roster on Friday night during its annual “Opening Night” event at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
More than 12,000 tickets were claimed to preview what might be in store for head coach Fred Hoiberg’s fourth season in Lincoln. Rapper Waka Flocka Flame also performed after the basketball portion wrapped up.
Rather than hold an intrasquad scrimmage as they’d done every other year, the Huskers ran a 30-minute practice with individual, small-group, and full-team drills.
After the practice, Nebraska held a 3-point contest featuring players from the men’s and women’s teams.
Emmanuel Bandoumel (11) lost to Jaz Shelley (14); Wilhelm Breidenbach (13) beat Annika Stewart (13) in a half-court shot tiebreaker; while Keisei Tominaga (17) topped Callin Hake (10) to win the overall event.
Hoiberg: ‘We need to be better in this building’
With roughly 65 percent of the lower bowl filled, Hoiberg changed the format to give fans a good look at NU’s renewed emphasis on defense and doing the dirty work – qualities undeniably lacking the last three seasons.
“I love this group,” Hoiberg said to Nebraska fans at mid-court before the practice. “This is a group that our fans are really going to be proud of. They’ve bought into a defensive identity, and that’s really what we’ve been preaching since we got this group together back in June.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the time that they’re spending together in and away from this building. They’re going to be a fun team to watch.”
Hoiberg was then asked about the continued support his program had received at PBA despite the Huskers’ extended struggles. His message was clear.
“We need to be better in this building,” Hoiberg said. “There’s no doubt about that, and we’re going to be. I could not have more confidence in the 16 guys that are standing here today. I really do think this is a group that this fan base can rally behind.”
