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Good Morning, Illini Nation: Fred Hoiberg weighs in on Illinois | Content
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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:
The first question to Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg on Wednesday in Lincoln, Neb., was about Illinois. Specifically the challenges the Illini might present in Thursday’s game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
“A lot jumps out on problems they can cause,” Hoiberg told reporters. “First of all, they play with a lot of pace. We’ve got to do a good job of getting back in transition. They really share it. They do a good job of creating threes.
“(Kasparas) Jakucionis is incredibly impressive at the point guard position for his age. He’s a wizard in ball screens. We’re going to have to do a good job not only trying to contest shots, but contest passes and buy rotations time and close out with urgency.”
Jakucionis’ playmaking and the Illini’s shot making potential were just two aspects of Thursday’s matchup that give Hoiberg pause. Rebounding is another.
“The other thing with Illinois is they are relentless on the glass,” the Cornhuskers coach said. “They had 21 offensive rebounds in their last game against Northwestern. They had 15 at Michigan State, which is damn near impossible to do with that team and their physicality.
“They lead the nation in rebound margin, and they crash everybody. They don’t send anybody back. They all five crash, and if we don’t make contact and play physical it’s going to be a long day.”
Check out Hoiberg’s full press conference here:
Good Morning, Illini Nation!
Former NBA player and current head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Fred Hoiberg, recently shared his thoughts on the University of Illinois basketball program. Hoiberg, who played college basketball at Iowa State and later coached the Chicago Bulls, had high praise for the Illini team and their head coach, Brad Underwood.
In a recent interview, Hoiberg commended Underwood for his leadership and the way he has built a strong and competitive team in Champaign. He highlighted the talent and depth of the Illini roster, particularly singling out standout players like Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn.
Hoiberg also mentioned the exciting rivalry between Nebraska and Illinois, noting the intensity and competitiveness of their matchups. He expressed his respect for the Illini program and their passionate fan base, acknowledging the team’s potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
As a former player and coach with experience at both the college and professional levels, Hoiberg’s insights into the Illinois basketball program carry weight. It’s always great to hear positive feedback from respected figures in the basketball world, and it’s clear that the Illini are making a strong impression on Hoiberg and others around the country.
So, Illini Nation, let’s continue to support our team and show the rest of the college basketball world what we’re made of. With the guidance of Coach Underwood and the talent on our roster, the future looks bright for Illinois basketball. Go Illini!
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