Postgame Notes/Quotes vs. Tennessee State

Postgame Notes
-Derrick Walker Jr. continued his string of impressive performances as his 16 points on a perfect 7-for-7 gave him a new career high. It also marked the third straight game the junior has finished with double digit points. Walker is 19-of-20 from the floor in his last three games.
-Alonzo Verge Jr. recorded his second double-double on the season with 18 points and 10 assists. The 10 assists also gave Verge Jr. a new career high in assists, topping his previous high of nine against Washington St. on Feb. 27, 2021.
-C. J. Wilcher tied his career high with 15 points off the bench. He also had 15 against Creighton.
-For the third straight game, Nebraska has tied a season high with four players in double figures (McGowens-18; Verge Jr.-18; Walker-16; Wilcher-15).
-Nebraska finished with 34 points in the paint, giving them 30+ points in the paint for every game thus far on the season.
-The Huskers recorded 18 assists, marking the third straight game the Big Red has dished out 18 assists.
-Tennessee State’s 13 3-pointers was an opponent high this season.

Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg
On the defensive rotations early on
“I thought the first half it was as simple as not staying in front of the ball and when they got into the paint that forced us into rotation and obviously got really hot on us and didn’t need a lot of room. Really challenged them at halftime to get a stance and stay in front of the ball. We changed our pick and roll coverage and we really tried to get those ball handlers going to their right hand wherever they were on the floor. I think that took away a couple of the options that they had. They hit some tough ones. A lot of that was because they were confident but overall we found a way to win a game where things weren’t going our way. That’s certainly something we can build on.”
 
On how they are balancing shot selection
“When you look at our percentage I think we were 23 for 28 inside the arc and that’s two games in a row with very high efficiency inside the line. C.J. got us going a little bit in the second half. It’s great to see him knock down some shots. I had to get him a quick blow. He got tired there for that one minute and then he helped us finish off the game there at the end. We had some good looks. I thought Bryce had a couple wide open and he’s going to knock those down. It's great to see him step up and knock down those pressure free throws as a true freshman and C.J. knocked down those two big ones in the end. I thought Alonzo played his best game. He did a phenomenal job attacked and getting into the paint and picking and choosing when to shoot. His playmaking was exactly where we needed it tonight.”
 
On C.J. Wilcher’s play and overall play of the team
“He’s really been a rock for us out there. He’s obviously one of our best shooters and he’s very confident. The one he hit in the left corner was a huge shot. I think Alonzo found him over there in that left corner. We’ve got to find him and Keisei and get him going a little bit more. I thought for the most part we made good plays. We got Lat a couple good looks and like I said Bryce had a couple wide open. Balance is better. Early on I thought we settled way too much but I think we made a conscious effort to get that thing in the paint tonight and a lot of that was Alonzo’s playmaking.”
 
Freshman Bryce McGowens
On focusing at the free-throw line
“Just a lot of practice. Just blocking out everything around me. That is really it.”
 
On the defensive changes made in the second half
“Really just talking. In the first half we were not talking or communicating or playing the ball as we should. Second half we came out more intense and we talked a lot more.”
 
On third game in five days
“We stress recovery every day. We recover after the game during the day and at night time. All of our guys do a great job coming back and taking care of our bodies.”
 
Senior Guard Alonzo Verge Jr.
On the game against Tennessee State
“Yes I thought it was pretty good. My mind was free and I used the momentum from last game. Just playing relaxed that is when I play my best. When I am relaxed and just having fun. That was the case today.”
 
On Derrick Walker
“Derrick is a big part just like coach said that is our rock. Behind the scenes nobody knows what he does. He is the best leader that I have had on a team. He communicates on and off the court and it is fabulous. If he feels a certain way he is going to tell you and he can take criticism back. Since I have got here we have had a connection.”
 
Tennessee State Head Coach Brian “Penny” Collins 
On loss to Nebraska
“It is always tough for your team to lose the game. It is never fun losing games, but I was very pleased with our effort tonight. I thought we competed for 85 percent of the game at a high level. we just did not close it out as well as I thought. Credit to Nebraska. I think they are one of the most talented teams in the country and Coach Hoiberg does an unbelievable job with that team. Alonzo Verge is one of the top guards in the country, and he just picked us apart offensively to end the game off. I just have to give credit to Nebraska.”
 
On impact of three-point shot during game
“It impacted us a lot. When you make shots you play defense better. When the shots were not going in, our level of intensity and attention to detail on the defensive end was not there. In the first half it was, we made 10 threes in the first half. Sometimes that is a gift and a curse, but those same shots were not falling in the second half. You have to give Nebraska credit, as they did a great job of contesting. We did have some great looks open looks and they just did not fall for us and that is the way the ball bounces sometimes.”
 
On performance of Dedric Boyd off the bench
“That is what he is. We call him the microwave. He is a scorer and has a score’s mentality. We expect him to come off the bench and cook like that a lot so we are going to continue to keep him involved in this rotation and Dedric is going to be a key piece in that all year long.”

NU Athletic Communications