Thoughts on Fred Hoiberg?

Feb 26, 2007
10,413
716
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Coming into this season, the Fred Hoiberg era was an unmitigated disaster and seemed doomed. However, this year we are dramatically better, and our games are fun to watch. Where do we go from here?

 

Redscarlet

Heisman
Jun 17, 2001
32,945
10,932
113
He’s NO Scott Frost..

Like he is preaching to the team, need to hold down the home court and win at home..
 

Antwill

All-Conference
Dec 18, 2004
4,450
1,085
113
He's making improvements and seems to be figuring out what type of players/team he needs to win in the B1G. If the team continues to be competitive, I'm all for bringing him back.
 

Harry Caray

All-American
Feb 28, 2002
70,986
7,190
113
This is a very experienced team this year with Walker, Griesel, and Bandoumel. That has been the difference.

Next year could be very rough again without these three dudes. They are the only legit Big Ten players on the team. Hoiberg is going to have to hit the transfer portal hard and find three more guys with a lot of experience.
 
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anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi

Guest
Ask me at years end. If he could somehow franchise Derick Walker I’d like to see what he can do. Not sure who they have to replace him or Sam.
 

jflores

All-Conference
Feb 3, 2004
8,993
2,783
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You probably don’t want to get into a sunk cost fallacy too much. Coach you were good this year but in past years you sucked. We, as one of the historically worst programs in college basketball are dumping your *** in the hopes we nail the prom queen this time.

I guess it depends on what the alternatives might be in a large regard.
 
Feb 26, 2007
10,413
716
0
This is a very experienced team this year with Walker, Griesel, and Bandoumel. That has been the difference.

Next year could be very rough again without these three dudes. They are the only legit Big Ten players on the team. Hoiberg is going to have to hit the transfer portal hard and find three more guys with a lot of experience.
…and this is what concerns me. We could fall hard again without them.
 

schuele

All-American
Apr 17, 2005
21,124
5,734
0
This is not a great team, but it’s the first squad Hoiberg has put on the court that looks more interested in winning than padding their own stats.
 

TheHuskerFreak

Sophomore
Dec 18, 2020
1,141
188
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He's making improvements and seems to be figuring out what type of players/team he needs to win in the B1G. If the team continues to be competitive, I'm all for bringing him back.
Yeah if things don't implode he deserves another year, but he doesn't deserve an extension yet.
 
Feb 26, 2007
10,413
716
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You probably don’t want to get into a sunk cost fallacy too much. Coach you were good this year but in past years you sucked. We, as one of the historically worst programs in college basketball are dumping your *** in the hopes we nail the prom queen this time.

I guess it depends on what the alternatives might be in a large regard.

My current bias is towards continued patience while things are on an upswing. It seems like he has figured some things out.
 

Redscarlet

Heisman
Jun 17, 2001
32,945
10,932
113
My current bias is towards continued patience while things are on an upswing. It seems like he has figured some things out.
Still needs better perimeter shooters and a true center that play’s in the paint..

Walker is a force to be reckoned down low but he is a power forward..
 

maly

All-Conference
Dec 10, 2003
25,857
3,082
0
This is a good group of guys that play hard and together but the nucleus of the team will be gone next year.

We need to keep finding these Athletic wings that aren't afraid to rebound and play defense.

Also, of course, we need to find some darn shooters and a true point guard.
 
Jun 21, 2001
2,100
451
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This is not a great team, but it’s the first squad Hoiberg has put on the court that looks more interested in winning than padding their own stats.

They also have an entirely new coaching staff, or nearly new. I wonder how much this has played a part in the performance so far? If NU finishes well enough to make some kind of post season tournament I think that merits another year.
 

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,113
2,393
98
…and this is what concerns me. We could fall hard again without them.
Interesting because I felt like the prognostications last year after the talent that left was for a down year this year. Could it be that this team has overperformed some expectations?
 

schuele

All-American
Apr 17, 2005
21,124
5,734
0
Interesting because I felt like the prognostications last year after the talent that left was for a down year this year. Could it be that this team has overperformed some expectations?
I don't think this year's team is super-talented, but it plays much smarter. When you don't have great shooters, you need to play defense and find high-percentage shots on the offensive end.

I feel like Walker could have been equally productive last year, but he couldn't wrestle the ball away from our "volume shooters" often enough.
 

3fingershomer

Redshirt
Feb 8, 2022
426
0
0
Yeah if things don't implode he deserves another year, but he doesn't deserve an extension yet.
I’ve had the belief that if he could keep this team together and they could avoid one of those 8-10 game losing streaks he’s likely getting more time. Also don’t believe Trev is overjoyed with the thought of having to conduct a basketball coaching search when he’s yet to see any on the field results from his new football coach.
 

TheNewNU_rivals50820

All-Conference
Dec 27, 2014
4,513
2,760
0
It's taken Fred awhile to learn that B1G basketball is not the NBA and it's not G League. Getting great prospects is awesome. But the problem is as soon as they show a spark of being able to play they leave for the NBA. I think he's realized he needs to find great college basketball players and build a team with them. If things keep going positively I think he's earned his way back next year.
 
Feb 26, 2007
10,413
716
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It's taken Fred awhile to learn that B1G basketball is not the NBA and it's not G League. Getting great prospects is awesome. But the problem is as soon as they show a spark of being able to play they leave for the NBA. I think he's realized he needs to find great college basketball players and build a team with them. If things keep going positively I think he's earned his way back next year.
For now I will just leave it at I am really enjoying this season aside from the refs stealing the Purdue win from us.
 

Harry Caray

All-American
Feb 28, 2002
70,986
7,190
113
I’ve had the belief that if he could keep this team together and they could avoid one of those 8-10 game losing streaks he’s likely getting more time. Also don’t believe Trev is overjoyed with the thought of having to conduct a basketball coaching search when he’s yet to see any on the field results from his new football coach.

Trev likes Fred, he will get another year. I think this team is capable of winning the majority of the remaining home games, especially if the big crowds keep showing up. It will be tough to win any of the remaining road games (maybe Penn State or Iowa), Big Ten roads wins are never easy for any team.

The big question is whether Fred can capitalize on the positive momentum and bring in another good group of transfers who will defend and rebound like this year's transfers. Next season will be the make or break season IMO.
 
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oldjar07

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2009
9,463
2,003
113
Don't like him and I think his ceiling is still pretty limited. That said, he'll probably be back next year.
 

mgbreeze

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2004
10,100
3,535
113
Take it one game at a time. The next three games are pretty brutal and I just hope we don't have one of the losing streaks we're famous for. I was pretty done with Hoiberg and his cast of prima donnas jacking up shots last year, but I really appreciate Fred's acceptance of change this season. There are always players available as transfers, the difference this year is the TYPE of players that he brought in. Still wish this team had a legit cold-blooded shooter.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,417
12,832
78
We need to stick with the dude long term. Itll pay off eventually.
I tend to agree with you. Fred’s a good guy who now has a history of getting guys from NU drafted. It’s damned tough to win a lot in the B1G. Keep beating the teams you’re supposed to beat and get a couple of upsets.
 

king_kong_

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2021
24,413
4
0
His first team did a great job of sharing the ball, they just couldn't make layups.
or free throws

hoiberg hasn't piloted a team to a winning season since 2015, so somehow scratching out 7 more Ws would be a nice change
 

IowaHuskr

All-Conference
Jul 13, 2001
8,003
4,649
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I tend to agree with you. Fred’s a good guy who now has a history of getting guys from NU drafted. It’s damned tough to win a lot in the B1G. Keep beating the teams you’re supposed to beat and get a couple of upsets.
Fred is the type of head coach and human being that UNL would like to have representing their University and Athletic Dept. He is figuring out what it takes to be competitive in the BIG night in and night out. Like defense, rebounding and mental/physical toughness. He has observed the success of his former asst. and cohort TJ at Iowa Stae using that formula. Now he just needs to find the right type of player that fits that mold. If he does that he will be at UNL for quite some time. He is a lot smarter and not stubborn like Frost. And Trev would like to have him around.
 

BetterRed1

Senior
Jul 6, 2006
13,111
588
96
I think this is his best team. There seems to be more cohesion and not one guy trying to do it all. It’s been a team effort, and they play good defense. However, it’s still a bad shooting team with no legit big man. I thought there’d be more progress than what we’ve seen this far in Fred’s tenure. I like Fred. But I’m still on the fence. Like some, ask me at the end of the season if I think he should stay.
 

Husker Hambone

Sophomore
Sep 15, 2013
1,023
144
0
Good not great team. Fun to watch, high energy and effort. Would love to see them make the NIT. Don’t think NCAAs are realistic… but who knows!
 

STUCKNKS

All-American
Jan 2, 2012
18,274
6,175
113
Coming into this season, the Fred Hoiberg era was an unmitigated disaster and seemed doomed. However, this year we are dramatically better, and our games are fun to watch. Where do we go from here?


Fred MUST recruit better!! Starting 5 OK but look down the bench.
 

salsa red

Senior
Dec 25, 2019
2,436
665
113
I think as long as NU basketball is no longer laughably bad and can make the tournament every few years Fred will be kept.
 

3fingershomer

Redshirt
Feb 8, 2022
426
0
0
Bump this thread due to Tuesday’s dismissal performance vs Illinois. Not sure if this team can finish out the season better than 3-8. Probably being generous. IMO Fred is doomed if a 20 loss is the result this year as Trev would be forced to make a move.