Fred Hoiberg provides injury updates on CJ Wilcher, Eli Rice

Nebraska will have two key players back for its NCAA Tournament opener against Texas A&M, coach Fred Hoiberg revealed on Thursday afternoon.

Guard CJ Wilcher has recovered nicely from a recent illness, while guard Eli Rice is feeling better on an ankle injury. How much both will play is unknown.

“CJ, he’s been back on the practice court,” Hoiberg said. “It’s good to have him back. He struggled a little bit that first day, kind of had him in and out. But he’s been fine the last couple since we’ve been down here in Memphis.”

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Wilcher averages 7.9 points and 1.5 rebounds per game, chipping in 18.2 minutes per contest. He’s a key figure off the bench.

Rice doesn’t play quite as much but contributes 4.2 point and 1.6 rebounds off the bench while playing 9.8 minutes per game.

Fred Hoiberg also updated Rice’s status.

“Eli practiced for the first time two days ago, and he was in for about half the reps,” he said. “Today he was out there a little bit. He’s still got some soreness in that ankle but he will dress tomorrow and he will be available if we need him.”

Fred Hoiberg receives two-year extension, raise

Fresh off winning the Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, Hoiberg recently received a two-year contract extension that included a sizeable raise.

That news comes on the heels of an NCAA Tournament appearance for the Cornhuskers, who earned a No. 8 overall seed in this year’s Big Dance. It is the first NCAA Tournament appearance for the program in Hoiberg’s five years in charge.

Hoiberg will now have his contract run through the 2028-29 season, while his salary is being bumped from $3.5 million to $4.25 million. The salary will increase over the life of the deal, according to USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz.

Nebraska has enjoyed considerable success under Hoiberg of late after a slow start to his tenure.

The Cornhuskers won just seven games in each of his first two seasons at the helm before winning 10 in his third year. The program finally hit .500 in Year 4, going 16-16, though with a 9-11 conference record.

This year Nebraska has been much more formidable. Led by Keisei Tominaga, the program won 23 games prior to the NCAA Tournament. The Cornhuskers went 12-8 in Big Ten play, tied for third.