Fastbreak: After a wild week, Hoiberg says Nebraska can't let up vs. Winthrop

After three emotional neutral-site wins over Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas State, Nebraska is 6-0 and on the cusp of a top-25 ranking. All of that momentum could go out the window if the Huskers don’t come ready to play vs. Winthrop on Tuesday night.

Head coach Fred Hoiberg discussed the importance of NU locking back in this week and much more during his press conference on Monday. Here’s a full recap…

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg

***Before turning the page to Winthrop, Hoiberg addressed the odd clock adjustment the officials made at the end of Nebraska’s win over Kansas State. He said he’d never seen refs retroactively add time back on the clock after a play had already happened.

Hoiberg said he definitely would have changed his strategy had he known there was more time left in the game. Instead, he instructed Sam Hoiberg to miss the second of his two final free throws. The refs added nearly a second after an ensuing timeout, giving KSU a chance to tie or win on the final play.

Hoiberg said he would reach out to Terry Olgesby, the new Executive Director of the Collegiate Officiating Consortium, to seek clarity on the ruling.

***Nebraska stayed an additional night in Kansas City following Friday night’s win over Kansas State. The Huskers held a “mental day” on Sunday and then “got after it” with a physical Monday practice.

If NU doesn’t lock back in, it ‘could get ugly’ vs. Winthrop

***Hoiberg said the Huskers must lock back in after an emotional week before Tuesday night’s game vs. Winthrop. He said it was “100% no fluke” that the Eagles nearly upset then-No. 21 Arkansas last week, and there was “no doubt in my mind they’ll be in the NCAA Tournament.”

With a roster loaded with veteran experience, Hoiberg said it “could get ugly” for NU if it didn’t play with the right mindset and intensity.

***Along with a senior-heavy roster, Hoiberg said Winthrop was an excellent 3-point shooting team. The Eagles average more than 11 made 3-pointers per game at a 38% clip this season, putting them right on par with the Huskers.

***Hoiberg said Nebraska “lost” KSU’s Abdi Bashir too often in Friday night’s win. That led to him hitting seven threes for 26 points.

Hoiberg had the Huskers evaluate all 15 of Winthrop’s made 3-pointers vs. Arkansas during Sunday’s film session. The goal was to emphasize the need for better “awareness” in their perimeter defense.

Frager’s ‘swagger’ and Sam Hoiberg’s special moment in KC

***Hoiberg said Braden Frager’s “unbelievable” redshirt year last season laid the foundation for his early success in 2025-26. He said Frager’s “confidence and swagger” were building by the game. The Huskers “need a guy out there who doesn’t have any fear.”

***Frager’s aggressiveness helped Nebraska finish 24-of-28 at the rim against Kansas State. That came after going just 17-of-28 the previous night vs. New Mexico.

***Hoiberg reflected on celebrating Iowa State’s Big 12 Conference Tournament titles in 2014-15 with his twin sons, Sam and Charlie. Seeing Sam make critical plays in that same building was “really cool for him and great for our family.”

Hoiberg noted that his father-in-law had passed away a few weeks ago. While Sam’s grandpa couldn’t be there to see it, Fred said the performance made for a special moment for their entire family.

Mast is holding up, while Curtis remains on track in recovery

***Hoiberg said Rienk Mast was holding up well after playing 30 and 32 minutes on consecutive nights in Kansas City. Hoiberg was concerned about how Mast’s surgically repaired knee would handle that type of workload. However, the senior didn’t want to come out of the game vs. KSU.

***Hoiberg said Leo Curtis (calf) “did some non-contact stuff” on Monday and remained on schedule in his recovery plan. The freshman center will not play vs. Winthrop, but the Huskers hope to get him back soon.

***Hoiberg said his biggest takeaway from last week’s three wins was how well Nebraska handled adversity. The Huskers faced difficult stretches in all three games, but he “never saw guys hang their heads.” Those situations are impossible to replicate in practice, and “you never know how guys will respond until the lights are on.”

***Nebraska’s confidence is riding high after its 6-0 start. However, Hoiberg said there was “no overinflated sense of where we are.” He knows the Huskers have had the advantage of playing in front of great Husker crowds in every game, including the three “neutral-site” contests.

What’s stood out most has been how NU’s player leadership has stepped up during challenging moments. “That’s a great sign for this team.”

Free throws must improve, and a hint on next year’s schedule

***Hoiberg has not been happy about how things have gone at the free-throw line this season on either end of the floor. Nebraska is shooting 70% at the charity stripe on the year. Its opponents have cashed in at an 81.7% clip, which ranks 361st out of 365 D1 teams.

Hoiberg said those numbers underscored the Huskers’ need to convert free throws while also defending without fouling. He said NU couldn’t “put it in the refs’ hands” and allow fouls and free throws to determine games.

Hoiberg added that Nebraska works on free throws every day in practice. With the shooters they have, he’s confident his team will improve there.

***Lastly, Hoiberg hinted at Nebraska working to play in a high-profile multi-team event (MTE) next season. Tournaments like the Players Era event in Las Vegas offer national exposure against top competition. They also come with hefty payouts.

The eight-team Players Era tournament pays $1 million to each school. Then there’s another $1 million split among the top four teams. In an era where roster budgets are everything, NU will explore every option on the table to generate more income.

“We’re constantly looking for ways where we can help with playing neutral-site games where you get a little bit of a boost for your program from a financial standpoint,” Hoiberg said. “We need it, and we’re going to continue to hunt and look for opportunities. The Pentagon has been great with that.

“We’re not ready to announce for next year, but we’re looking at a couple of situations where we can certainly add and help when it comes to roster construction. So, yes, it’s the era that we’re in. These teams playing in Las Vegas have a hell of an advantage with what they’re getting and what they’re able to add for their rosters.

“So, we’re always looking at ways to be creative with it, and we’ll certainly continue to do that.”

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