The Nebraska basketball team is officially off to the best start in program history, and one of the things that makes the team so good is that there are plenty of reasons why. Pryce Sandfort's 32 points were a big reason why the Huskers beat Illinois on Saturday. Still, while he didn't light up the box score, Sam Hoiberg was the guy who got Illini coach Brad Underwood's attention.
After the game, Underwood, who was far from happy about his own team's performance, sung the praises of the coach's son. Chief among the reasons why he like Hoiberg's outing so much is that he did "all the little things" right.
"Your ability to dominate a basketball game doesn't always show up in points..." Underwood told the media. "Did all the little things and all the extra effort things to allow his team to win."
Sam Hoiberg’s impact shows why Nebraska basketball is off to a historic start
Pryce Sandfort had a career high 32 as Nebraska won in Champaign, but Brad Underwood says Sam Hoiberg controlled the game.
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) December 14, 2025
"Your ability to dominate a basketball game doesn't always show up in points... Did all the little things and all the extra effort things to allow his team… pic.twitter.com/15e9E1L9ac
Granted, Underwood was impressed with the way Sandfort played as well. And he was equally annoyed by how his team guarded him en route to 26 first-half points.
"How does the best shooter in the Big Ten get a butt-naked three three minutes into the game in transition? That is just five dudes out there who aren’t dialed in, and that’s where I have to help."
Still, it was Sam Hoiberg that was the glue and the foundation of Nebraska's win against the No. 13 team in the country at their place.
He only scored 7 points in 30 minutes, but he also logged 5 rebounds and 6 assists. He also didn't turn the ball over. And of course, there was the play at the end of the game.
While Jamarques Lawrence drilled the game-winning three-point shot, it was Hoiberg who set the play up and held onto the ball for just the right amount of time. After initially driving as though he would go for the layup with time ticking down to zero, he dished it off to an open Lawrence at the last minute, who drained the shot.
Hoiberg has seemingly upped his game from what was already a very effective role player. This year he's been all over the court and has been an intrigal part to Nebraska's incredible start to the season. Brad Underwood certainly knows that first hand these days.