Pinnacle Bank Arena has become a house of horrors for the Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball team’s opponents. Thanks to Saturday’s win over No. 15 UCLA, the Huskers have won 20 straight home games.
But don’t count Bruins head coach Mick Cronin among those who thinks the PBA’s environment is all that impressive. Following his team’s loss, he talked about how he didn’t think the home crowd played any part in the Huskers’ win. Rather it was that Fred Hoiberg’s squad was just better.
On the one hand, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will take that. On the other, Cronin, who is new to the Big Ten and has in fact, only played other former Pac-12 opponents in conference play before NU is definitely in the minority. Any of the coaches in the previous 19 losses at the PBA would be more than willing to admit the arena is among the hardest to travel to and win.
"I don't think environment has anything to do with anything"
— Chase Matteson (@ChaseMatteson) January 4, 2025
Interesting opinion from UCLA Head Coach Mick Cronin. Nebraska has now won 20 straight games at PBA, and the #Huskers fans definitely play a factor.🏀
Vastly different response from Fred Hoiberg. (@1011_News) pic.twitter.com/GpmrBI2rHj
Nebraska Cornhuskers’ home court didn’t impress UCLA head coach
Cronin talked about his feelings regarding Pinnacle Bank Arena directly after the 66-58 loss.
“I don’t really believe in that stuff,” the UCLA head coach said. “I believe in coaching and execution and players. I just don’t believe in that stuff. So the players did a great job on the defensive end. They were the better defensive team today, and that’s why they won. I don’t think environment has anything to do with anything. I just don’t. I think it makes it more fun for the players, maybe you. You know, I don’t know. But, yeah, I don’t think that has anything to do with the whole thing.”
It should come as no surprise that Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg didn’t agree.
“One of the best environments in the league, and it certainly rang true today, and it’s been like that all year. We appreciate it. We're going to continue to need it with this league and the grind that we're going to have. But, again, I hope we're giving a product out there that makes the fans proud, and that's what it's all about. And this team plays with such great effort. If we continue to do that, we'll continue to get great crowds.”