Huskers Shock Vanderbilt, Advance to Sweet 16!

Huskers Shock Vanderbilt, Advance to Sweet 16!

Nebraska is heading to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history after a thrilling victory over Vanderbilt. The Cornhuskers survived a last-second scare when Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner launched a shot from about 60 feet away that nearly won the game.

Hoiberg Reflects on Nail-Biting Finish

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg described the moment the ball left Tanner’s hand. “My heart sunk,” Hoiberg said. “You could see it was right on line as soon as he shot it.” The shot looked good, hitting the rim but bouncing out in a moment that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. “I don’t know how it stayed out,” Hoiberg added, joking that maybe the tournament balls were over-inflated. The arena, packed with a loud and supportive Nebraska fanbase, fell into an eerie silence before erupting when the ball rimmed out. “The place just exploded, and then the celebration started with our team,” Hoiberg recalled, clearly proud of his players’ resilience.

A Season of Firsts for Nebraska

This season has been historic for the Nebraska Cornhuskers under Hoiberg. They’ve achieved a school-record 28 wins, their highest AP ranking ever, and now, their first NCAA Tournament victories. This success marks a significant turnaround from Hoiberg’s first three seasons, where the team won only 24 games combined. “As you guys know, at this time of year in March, if you want any chance to continue on and play and advance, you have to handle adversity well,” Hoiberg noted, emphasizing the team’s ability to overcome challenges.

Father-Son Moment on the Sideline

A unique moment during the game involved Hoiberg and his son, Sam, who is also on the team’s staff. In the first half, Hoiberg took Sam out of the game, and the two shared a brief but warm exchange on the sideline. “It was pretty special last night,” Fred said when asked about father-son moments with Sam. “It’s his and his identical twin brother Charlie’s birthday yesterday.” Fred joked that he told his son, “No, I’m not buying you anything. This is your present here.” Sam has been instrumental in turning the program around, helping to build chemistry and leadership within the team.

Sam Hoiberg’s Journey to the Top

Sam Hoiberg’s path to this point is a testament to seizing opportunities. He joined the staff after his senior year was impacted by COVID-19, initially walking on. “He just wanted to come and walk on and kind of see where it went,” Fred explained. “Then we had two season-ending injuries three years ago, and that gave him his opportunity, gave him his chance.” Fred sees Sam’s journey as mirroring his own career, defined by taking advantage of chances when they appear. Sam and Jammarcus Lawrence were key players who entered the rotation during that crucial time.

Building a Culture of Success

Hoiberg acknowledged the challenge of building a successful program in today’s fast-paced world. “In a society today where success has to be microwaved, it can’t be slow-baked,” he stated. He credits his administration for their patience, allowing him to build the culture the right way. “We took over the largest rebuild in the history of the power five conference. We had one player on the roster,” Fred recalled. This season’s achievements, including a 20-0 start, reaching No. 5 in the rankings, and setting all-time win records, are the results of that patient approach.

Looking Ahead: The Sweet Sixteen Awaits

With the Sweet Sixteen now in sight, the Cornhuskers are focused on their next challenge. “There might be more memories to make coming up,” Hoiberg said. Nebraska fans, known as Big Red Nation, are expected to travel in large numbers to support the team as they face the winner of the Florida-Iowa game. The journey has been long and filled with adversity, but the Huskers have proven they can handle it, ready to make more history.

Source: Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg reflects on surviving Vanderbilt to advance to Sweet 16 | College GameDay (YouTube)