Fred Hoiberg shares how Nebraska builds off of 2022-23 season

On Wednesday night, Nebraska had their Big Ten Tournament run ended with a 78-75 loss to Minnesota. With a 16-16 overall and 9-11 conference record, the Cornhuskers will likely miss this year’s NCAA tournament. With their tournament hopes in serious jeopardy, all Nebraska can do is hope for the best on selection Sunday. And although they are waiting for the powers at work to decide how this season ends, head coach Fred Hoiberg is already looking to next season. In the post-game press conference following the loss, Hoiberg shared how Nebraska builds off of this season’s success.

“As I told those seniors in the locker room, they put this program in a position now to continue to move in the right direction. To change what people thought of our program. And that month of February was so much fun for everybody. Pinnacle Bank Arena, that was the month we had the most home games, was on fire, and it just was a really fun group to be a part of. And, they set the table, I think, for what can be now, and the culture where it is has to continue that way. We’ll see what we look like next year,” said Hoiberg.

Despite finishing the season with a .500 record, it is the best season Nebraska Men’s Basketball has enjoyed since Hoiberg took over in 2019 for then-head coach Tim Miles. Since Hoiberg took over, the Cornhuskers’ winning percentage has increased every season, signaling things are trending in the right direction for the program.

To get to the next level, Nebraska will have to use every tool at its disposal. And Hoiberg is already hinting at hitting the transfer portal hard. But it won’t be talent the Cornhuskers’ head man will be after; his eyes are focused on acquiring a very particular trait.

“We got some big holes to fill; a lot of that is with leadership. So, we’re going to have to get the right guys in here. I think we’ve got a blueprint for what we want it to look like, and now we got to go out and find the right players to keep this positive trend going.

“We got to find a way to compete. We’ll see what non-conference (scheduling is); we’re pretty much set with what our schedule is gonna look like. And hopefully, we take care of business there… I’m already thinking about next year.

There is still some time before the selection committee decides the fate of the Cornhuskers. But Nebraska still has an opportunity to play a few more games together this season. Nebraska could find itself in the NIT to close out the 2022-2023 season.