MBB Postgame Quotes: Peru State

Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg
Opening Statement
“First of all I give a lot of credit for Peru State coming in here and giving us a good test, especially in that first half. I thought they came in with a great aggressiveness, and they really tested us off the bounce. I thought we got too aggressive at times defensively where a couple gambles which let to rotations and obviously they took advantage and made their open shots.”
 
 On the Huskers Defense
“When we played solid I thought we did a good job of contesting. First-half defensively transition was very good and then the second half they exposed us on the glass. That is going to be my big theme all year long is physicality and as the length and athleticism continue to go up starting on Sunday. We are going to have to grow in that area if we want to have a great season. From an offensive standpoint I thought we played very unselfishly and you look at the assist-to-turnover numbers (25 to 9). That is a great sign for us and for our team, and if we can duplicate that and keep that going all year then we are definitely going to have a chance.”
 
On playing in front of fans at home for the first time since 2020
“I think overall they were just excited excited to get out on the floor and play somebody other than themselves so the crowd was phenomenal for the type of night that we have I mean it has been rainy soggy dreary all day long and then John Cook and his group are playing the number three team in the country which I know attracted a lot of fans that probably would have been here otherwise and rightfully so I mean that is a huge game in the Big Ten standings and obviously which them all the best but for the first time being back in here I thought our guys responded very well.

On what he was most pleased with
"The best thing about tonight everybody that had their name called made a positive contribution out there.”

Derrick Walker:
On if he had nerves playing in front of a crowd for the first time at Nebraska
“Yes, going into any game, there are going to be nerves. I felt it in my stomach and my mind, but as long as you do a good job of managing those nerves and focusing on the game plan, it will work out.”
 
On the impact of Alonzo Verge Jr.
“Zo is really good at seeing the floor, getting to the rim, and he’s really good at creating for others. For Zo, it’s really was just him being him. He’s good at finding me, and we always keep eye contact on the pick and roll. He really knows the game of basketball.”
 
On the Huskers’ defense rotations
“We could have been a little better. At times, we were not on the same page, but it is our first game and we can see where we made mistakes and correct those mistakes.”
 
Wilhelm Breidenbach:
On his first game as a freshman
“It was pretty cool. The environment was great, the guys are great and really supportive. It's a  different type of basketball than high school. Everybody was really good about letting me get
adjusted and it was a good experience.”
 
On playing the five behind Derrick
“That’s fine with me. Like I always say, whatever helps the team is what I will do. Coming off the bench, however many minutes it is, I will do whatever it takes to make those minutes matter and
help the team win.”
NU Athletic Communications