Fred Hoiberg shares explanation on late offensive fouls for Nebraska

Nebraska had its opportunities late against Minnesota in the Big Ten tournament on Wednesday. But two costly offensive fouls came back to haunt the Cornhuskers, and Fred Hoiberg shared what he heard from the officials about those calls.

The first foul came with 1:08 left when Sam Griesel was called for a moving screen as Nebraska trailed 73-71. Then, with 33 seconds left, Jamarques Lawrence was whistled for the same call after the Cornhuskers forced a Minnesota turnover. That sent Ta’Lon Cooper to the free throw line, where he hit one of two to make it a 74-71 lead before the Golden Gophers came away with the 78-75 victory.

But those two offensive fouls loomed large, and Hoiberg said the officials saw enough movement to blow the whistle.

“The explanation was [the referees] thought they moved,” Hoiberg said. “Right now, I’ve got to go back and watch it. But that was the explanation, that there was movement going into the screen.”

Keisei Tominaga uncertain on future at Nebraska

Keisei Tominaga has a big decision after Nebraska fell in the Big Ten tournament. He can test the professional basketball waters after a breakout season, or he can return for one last go-round in Lincoln.

As of the postgame press conference, he wasn’t ready to say one way or the other what his plans are.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Tominaga said. “We’ll see. I don’t know yet.”

Tominaga had a big night in Wednesday’s loss to Minnesota, dropping 23 points as Nebraska fell to the Golden Gophers 78-75 in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. On the whole this season, Tominaga averaged 13.1 points per game in his second season with the program after transferring from the junior college ranks.

Because of the COVID-19 waiver, Tominaga has the option to come back for one more season after bursting onto the scene in 2022-23. During the game against Minnesota, Big Ten Network reporter Andy Katz said there’s a possibility the star guard winds up in a Huskers uniform again — and he added NIL could play a role.