Fastbreak: Hoiberg talks critical offseason and what's next for Nebraska

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg and senior forward Juwan Gary recapped their College Basketball Crown championship and previewed what lies ahead for the Huskers.

Here is a full rundown of what they had to say…

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg

***Looking back on this season, Hoiberg said he was most proud of how his team stayed together through so many ups and downs. He thought that showed the character and culture of Nebraska’s program, especially by winning the Crown after losing six of its last seven games.

Hoiberg was especially proud of Brice Williams and Gary for all of their help in accomplishing that. He couldn’t be happier to see those two end their college careers on a high note.

***Going into the offseason, Hoiberg said the Crown championship gave the Huskers some needed positive momentum. Many people watched their tournament run, and their success came up many times during Zoom calls with recruits and agents.

***Hoiberg said it was “awesome” that Gary earned the Crown MVP. He called Gary the “heart and soul of the team” over the last couple of years. Hoiberg said it was “special” for him because of what Gary had meant to him and the program. He hopes Gary’s leadership will set the tone for years to come.

***Hoiberg also confirmed that Nebraska would “evenly distribute” the $300,000 it earned from winning The Crown. He said it was “like a playoff bonus” in the NBA for the guys who were part of the championship team. That means everyone from Williams to walk-ons like Jeff Grace would get an even cut.

Hoiberg talks Nebraska’s latest portal additions

***On Iowa transfer addition Pryce Sandfort, Hoiberg said he was the No. 1 player on NU’s 2023 high school recruiting board. Hoiberg has known Sandfort and his family for many years, going back to Pryce attending his summer camps at Iowa State.

Hoiberg noted that Pryce’s numbers the last two seasons were “very similar” to those of his older brother, All-Big Ten Hawkeye guard Payton Sandfort. The coach said shooting was a top priority in this portal cycle, and Pryce addresses that need significantly.

Hoiberg added that Pryce was more athletic than some might think. He also called the 6-7 wing “one of the best shooters on the market.”

***Hoiberg said the opportunity to play with Rienk Mast was a very attractive selling point for all the players Nebraska had signed and recruited. NU has heavily featured Mast in every film edit it has shown recruits.

***On Jamarques Lawrence, Hoiberg said his return was a no-brainer for both parties. Lawrence knows the system and expectations on both ends of the floor as much as anyone. He shot nearly 40% from 3-point range, can handle the ball, and initiate offense.

“We missed him a lot this year,” Hoiberg said. “Everyone in the program, to a man, is excited to have him back.”

***On Ugnius “Oogie” Jarusevicius, Hoiberg said he addressed Nebraska’s other immediate need in the front court. Jaruseviciuswas a first-team All-MAC player who can score on the block and went 3-for-3 from three against Minnesota this season.

***On Will Cooper, Hoiberg noted that the Air Force transfer hit seven 3-pointers against Fresno State this season. Cooper further addresses NU’s need for more shooting as a player who can “straight stretch the floor” on the perimeter.

***On recruiting and then redshirting high school players in the future, Hoiberg wasn’t ready to give up on that route just yet. While NU has lost guys after redshirt years – most recently Nick Janowski – he said he never promised anything in recruiting.

The coaches who do make promises about playing time or starting jobs usually make those same guarantees to other players, too. Hoiberg will continue to preach an “iron sharpens iron” mentality in his program, where he wants guys who want to compete and not have things handed to them.

What’s next on the transfer front?

***As for other portal additions, Hoiberg said he was “hoping to hear on a couple others soon.” Before his interview finished, Nebraska landed a commitment from St. Thomas guard Kendall Blue.

***Hoiberg also continues his search for a new full-time assistant coach. He said the search was “going well,” and hoped to have that done “soon.”

***With how many ball-handlers Nebraska lost from this season, Hoiberg said that was the No. 1 priority in this portal class. Mast’s return helps a lot with facilitating in the halfcourt, but the Huskers needed more.

Hoiberg said he didn’t need a “pure point guard, per se.” Instead, NU is looking for players at every position who can bring the ball up and initiate the offense. He noted that Cale Jacobsen and Sam Hoiberg would also help with that.

A crucial offseason awaits for NU’s returning players

***On Jacobsen, Hoiberg said he “couldn’t be happier” for his success in Las Vegas “because of the type of kid he is.” Hoiberg confirmed that the do-it-all guard “belongs in our rotation. There’s no doubt about it. He showed that.”

***Hoiberg said Berke Buyuktuncel was already back in the weight room preparing for a critical offseason. The forward is focusing on getting stronger, faster, and staying healthy, and Hoiberg is excited about his potential.

Hoiberg added that confidence was another important factor for Buyuktuncel. He pointed out how confident the UCLA transfer had been in the Ohio State game before his injury. It was clear Buyuktuncel didn’t have that same swagger after he returned to the lineup.

***Hoiberg again doubled down on his excitement about redshirt freshman Braden Frager. It’s obvious that the former Lincoln Southwest standout will be a factor next season.

Nebraska forward Juwan Gary

***Looking back, Gary said he was most proud of what he’d overcome throughout his career. Even through a series of tough injuries, he never gave up. Now, he’s proud of the progress he’d made over the years as a player and a person. Gary said he’d remember his last game as a champion forever.

***Gary said he was “still taking it in” now a few days removed from the Crown championship. He can’t believe his college career is over, but he’s more excited about how it ended than sad it’s over.

***Even though he won the honor, Gary said Jacobsen got his vote for Crown MVP.

***On finishing the last three years of his career at Nebraska, Gary noted how many players bounce from four or five schools looking for “a home.” Lincoln is Gary’s home now, and NU will forever have a place in his heart.

***Gary had a message to any player in the portal looking at Nebraska. Whether it was coaching, strength and conditioning, or the “knowledge” he’d gained of the game, “we do everything like a pro.”

“If you want to be a professional,” Gary added, “Nebraska is going to fit that for you.”

***When he and Williams decided to return for their senior seasons, they knew they’d have to be the leaders of the program. That carried all the way into their decision to play in the Crown and finish on a high note.

Gary said he was “blessed” to call Williams a teammate and a brother. The emotions of all they went through together as Huskers poured out in their long on-court embrace after winning the Crown.

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