Fastbreak: Hoiberg, Huskers take the stage at Big Ten Media Days
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg and seniors Rienk Mast and Sam Hoiberg were in Chicago on Thursday for the 2025 Big Ten Media Days at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
The Huskers took the Big Ten Network stage during the event to discuss their 2025-26 squad and what to expect in Year 7 of the Hoiberg era in Lincoln. Here is a quick recap of what they said…
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg
***Reflecting on last season, Hoiberg said it was “a season of runs” that saw plenty of highs and lows. Winning the College Basketball Crown and the lift it gave the program provided “positive momentum” going into the offseason.
***Hoiberg said getting Mast back, especially the “spacing and the gravity that he provides” on offense, was massive. There is no question that Mast is the centerpiece of NU’s roster.
***Hoiberg also talked about the upgraded shooting, and he started with redshirt freshman Braden Frager, calling him “a guy who can flat-out stroke it.” He also mentioned Connor Essegian, Pryce Sandfort, Jamarques Lawrence, and Kendall Blue in that conversation.
***On replacing Brice Williams and Juwan Gary, Hoiberg said it would have to be a committee approach. Especially replacing Gary’s defense, Hoiberg called that end of the floor “the biggest question facing our team.”
He praised Mast’s defensive IQ, particularly against the pick-and-roll, as well as Lawrence and Sam Hoiberg’s on-ball perimeter defense.
***On Lawrence, Hoiberg said the senior guard’s return was “huge for us,” noting how important he was during Nebraska’s 2023-24 NCAA Tournament run. “Losing him was a big loss for us.”
Hoiberg added that Lawrence would play on and off the ball and would be critical on NU’s defense.
“At the end of the day, that’s all that matters. We got him back… He brings it every day, and we’re going to need that.”
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Senior forward Rienk Mast
***On being healthy again, Mast said, “Finally. It’s been a while.” He said he’s feeling “really good” right now. “The knee is doing a lot better.”
***Mast said he learned a lot from his year off, particularly how valuable vocal leadership was. That’s helped him step up more than ever in that regard this offseason.
Senior guard Sam Hoiberg
***Hoiberg said Mast looked “better than ever,” including being an even better shooter than he was two years ago.
***Hoiberg said having Mast back “opens up a completely new bag of plays,” including allowing others to “play off of him” with his elite passing.
***On his mentality on the court, Hoiberg said he always wanted to bring “a fire” to the team, “and I just want to help us win games.” He said he thrives off the love he gets from Nebraska fans for his effort.
***On missing last year’s Big Ten Tournament, Hoiberg said: “Yeah, it stung.” He said that has motivated them all offseason, along with “getting that monkey off our back” by winning their first NCAA Tournament game.
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