Hoiberg and the Huskers Searching for Chemistry and Consistency Ahead of Italy Trip

With just two points and two players returning from last season’s roster, first year head coach Fred Hoiberg understands exactly what is required of him in preparation for the 2019-20 season; getting his team to gel together.

“I think we’re going to take them bowling tomorrow to force them to talk to each other,” Hoiberg told reporters at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Tuesday.

The team will have plenty of time to bond in the coming weeks, as they’ll be heading off to Italy on August 3rd for a nine day long trip. There, the Huskers will play three European teams over four games. For Hoiberg, the trip will be the first time to see his team in action against real opposition and will provide for plenty of downtime for the team to get to know one another.

“That’s a huge part about that opportunity in front of us,” Hoiberg said. “We have a chance to build the chemistry with each other.”

Haanif Cheatham is one of the many new faces to NU this year, having transferred from FGCU to play his final collegiate season under Hoiberg at Nebraska. Cheatham told reporters that the players have been picking up on his system relatively fast, given the short amount of time they’ve had to practice.

“Guys are learning on the fly. We’re learning quick,” Cheatham said. “It’s only July, but as long as we show progression and improvement every day in practice, things are going to be good for us, especially for this trip coming up.”

Junior guard Dachon Burke was on the roster last year, but had to sit out for a season after transferring from Robert Morris. Now though, Burke has inherited teammates and a coaching staff that are mostly unfamiliar with NU. However, having to deal with that type of adversity isn’t anything new to Burke.

“You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” Burke said. “For my three years in college, I haven’t been on a team with more than like, four (returning) players every year.”

The players remain optimistic about the obstacles ahead, but there’s no question that it’ll be difficult to get a team with so many new players on it, up and running. According to Hoiberg, that’s proven to be the case thus far.

“There’s time where you see progress and there’s time where we take steps back,” Hoiberg said. “Our biggest thing is fighting through adversity… we’re trying to figure out which players are mentally tough enough to go out there and perform 100 percent of the time.”

The Husker’s first true test won’t be until their season opener against UC Riverside on November 5th. Until then, Hoiberg will have to mold his team virtually from scratch.

In other news & notes:

• Sophomore guard and JUCO transfer Cam Mack cannot practice yet. He still needs to finish one more class which according to Hoiberg, should conclude sometime in the next 48 hours. He will however, be available to play in Italy

• Hoiberg had no update on Shamiel Stevenson’s transfer status. Stevenson transferred to NU from Nevada and will not be eligible until 2020, unless a waiver is granted allowing him to play right away.

• Yvan Ouedraogo is the only player not currently in Lincoln. Ouedraogo is still in Europe, playing for the French U-18 team at the European Championships.

• Both Burke and Cheatham mentioned Samari Curtis as a player that has impressed them. The freshman guard was named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball this year. Also, Hoiberg mentioned sophomore guard Thorir Thorbjarnarson as a player who has been impressive thus far.