Huskers want to stay off the roller coaster while traveling the B1G: “All things considered, we’re in a good place.”
Fred Hoiberg received his best advice from Reggie Miller when the NBA rookie called him to the side.
In summary, there should be no roller coasters. It won’t get too hot if you soar with your emotions one night and then descend far below the earth the next.
During Hoiberg’s Monday night appearance on the Huskers Radio Network, that memory was brought up because it may be the most crucial aspect that this Nebraska basketball team needs to focus on in order to be where it wants to be in a few months.
Post this saying on a sign: “Too level-headed to join this ride.”
That’s what the Huskers will have to be after suffering a depressing 94-76 setback at Iowa on Friday night, and only three days after defeating No. 1 Purdue by 16 points in one of the most remarkable victories in program history.
It was one of those situations where you wished you had five days to recuperate and somewhat celebrate your victory. We had to get over it quickly and we did not do a good job of that, and you saw that with the start against Iowa,” Hoiberg said during the hour-long radio appearance. “And then I thought we got a little bit tired mentally, physically and Iowa just dominated us the last 12 to 14 minutes of that game.”
Nothing is lost.
Nebraska, which is 3-3 in the Big Ten and 13-4 overall, will play at Rutgers on Wednesday before hosting a formidable Northwestern squad on Saturday.
“All things considered, we’re doing well,” stated Hoiberg. We practiced really well today. One of the year’s better practices from us. It’s the reaction we were hoping for. We also discussed body language extensively. On Friday, when things went south, we didn’t feel the same as we did against Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana, or any other team where we got into the huddle and those guys had already figured things out. Those guys had discussed the coverage issues that we are currently facing on the floor. Those guys were talking to each other. During the Iowa game, it was different.”
A deer caught in headlights.
After that, everything fell apart.
With 16 minutes remaining, the Huskers and Iowa were tied 50-50. However, Nebraska chose not to take advantage of the Hawkeye zone defense, which left the middle open. The Huskers spent a lot of Monday watching that movie because they know they’ll see it again.
Additionally, Nebraska’s defense lacked grit as Iowa had numerous open looks and made 15 of 35 3-pointers.
Not what Hoiberg was hoping for following a significant victory. An ugly road trip. When it was over, the Huskers also had to stay in Iowa City for a while longer because the weather prevented the plane from leaving until the following day.
Moving forward. with the goal of being constant.
“How will you respond to hardship when it strikes? In the end, the final 14 games of the conference season will determine the kind of year we have here, according to Hoiberg. As I mentioned earlier, we’re in a good place for now, but we still need to improve. We’ve performed admirably in the wake of defeats, but we haven’t exactly bounced back from victories.”
