Fred Hoiberg is weathering a proverbial storm, having to enter a season with a brand-new program for the second year in a row.
If I had to guess, Nebraska basketball coach Fred Hoiberg would just like some stability. With the news of Dachon Burke Jr. transferring late on Tuesday night, Hoiberg has had to rebuild the program for the next time the team takes the floor. Of course, it’s something that he is unfortunately used to. He had to do the same last year. All things considered, he did a very good job.
Losing Burke hurts a little bit just because of what Burke brought to the table. His transfer to South Alabama is not going to make or break the program. Let me be clear on that. However, he did bring a certain level of consistency on the court. In 29 games played, he averaged 12.2 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game.
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His best game of the season came during the Indiana contest that saw the Huskers lose in overtime. He was a big reason why they got to overtime to begin with. Burke had his three-point range going in that game. He made four-of-eight from deep, and was a spark plug for Nebraska basketball that night.
Switching gears from how losing Burke affects the program, this transfer is just one of the many instances where Hoiberg has seen his roster change and remodel. He first had to form the program last season, after being announced as the head coach in the spring. Now, he has to pick up the pieces from last year, and tried to remodel the program again.
Being from the Boston area, I’m a fan of the Boston Celtics. I would equate what Hoiberg is doing right now to what Danny Ainge had to do once point guard Kyrie Irving left for Brooklyn. Ainge went out and signed Kemba Walker. In that sense, Ainge rebuilt the rebuild. Now, the Celtics are well-positioned for the future.
The Mayor has been put in a tough spot undoubtedly. He has certainly been tested so far in his two years in Lincoln. However, I am confident that he will be able to put his players in a position to succeed and weather the proverbial storm. Hopefully, that means that Nebraska basketball is back to contending sooner rather than later. I have no doubt that Coach can recruit. Now, it’s all about making a cohesive unit on the floor. Evidently, it’s also about getting players to stay in Lincoln as well.