Fred Hoiberg raves about Nebraska's ability to respond vs. Minnesota

Nebraska had a hard time pulling away from Minnesota in front of a sold-out crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday, but the Cornhuskers managed to come away with the 78-67 win — their fourth straight victory. Adversity is nothing new to Nebraska, though, according to Fred Hoiberg.

Hoiberg spoke with Big Ten Network’s Shon Morris after the victory and, after crediting Minnesota for playing hard despite this year’s struggles, said his team has responded well all year in tough games. That’s why he wasn’t surprised when Nebraska fought off the Golden Gophers, who got as close as seven points in the final minutes.

“The thing I was really pleased with, I thought we kept our composure,” Hoiberg said. “They went on a nice run against us. We could never put them away, and they kept cutting that thing back into a single-digit game, five [or] six points. But we kept responding, and that’s a thing that this team has been really good at is just the resiliency that they’ve shown.

“It’s been a lot of fun to coach this team and I can’t believe how fast it’s gone. We only have two more regular-season games. Just got to continue to go out there and throw everything at them and see where things go.”

Fred Hoiberg: ‘Everybody who’s stepping on the floor is contributing right now’

Nebraska has dealt with its share of injuries this year, leading others to have to step up. Among that group is Sam Hoiberg, who had 11 points and made some key free throws down the stretch to help Nebraska to its first four-game win streak in conference play since 2018.

But other players rose to the occasion, as well. That includes Sam Griesel, who had a team-high 19 points, and double-digit scoring performances from C.J. Wilcher and Jamarques Lawrence.

“I thought [Sam] did a really nice job there at the end of getting a couple loose balls and converting and getting those,” Hoiberg said of his son. “And then, knocking down free throws. Those are huge for us. We weren’t great today from the line. … He’s out there competing, and that’s what it’s all about right now. Whosever name is called, they’re going out there.

“Oleg [Kojenets] gave us good minutes today with Blaise out of the lineup as big as Minnesota plays. Denim Dawson went out there and some gave us good minutes guarding [Jamison] Battle. Jamarques got us off to a great start. I thought C.J. was rock solid all game. Then, Griesel just made play after play down the stretch for us. Really, top to bottom, everybody who’s stepping on the floor is contributing right now and that’s what it’s all about.”