It was a defensive grudge match in Lincoln but one that ended with No. 13 Nebraska staying undefeated, as it got a 58-56 win at home over No. 9 Michigan State and a signature court storming after the buzzer sounded.
But did Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo take issue with the court storming?
“I told my AD, I told my commissioner, I understand we got to be careful and all that, [but] I completely beloved it,” Izzo mentioned after the loss about Nebraska followers storming the ground. “Was I fearful about anyone? I hoped I obtained stomped on, to be very sincere with you. I would not need these individuals to react [any differently]. They had been lining up again there, I used to be pondering to myself, ‘Go for it.’
“I assumed it was nice, and I believe, in some way, it is most likely a backhanded praise to us. If we had been a no person, they would not have stormed the court docket. So, our guys obtained to appreciate that they play in a program that you just’re someone.”
Michigan State out-rebounded Nebraska, 43-28, however the Spartans (17) turned the ball over 9 extra instances than the Cornhuskers (eight). Rienk Mast, who leads the Cornhuskers in scoring (16.6 factors per recreation) and rebounding (6.8 rebounds per recreation) this season, led the best way for Nebraska with a team-high 19 factors, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
One participant at Nebraska that has Izzo’s consideration is senior guard Sam Hoiberg, who’s the son of Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg.
“My favourite participant is the one one they [Nebraska] had again [from last season], and that is Sam [Hoiberg]. There’s not a child within the Massive Ten or NCAA basketball that performs more durable than that child,” Izzo mentioned about Hoiberg after the sport. “He guards individuals; he motivates individuals. It is obtained to be exhausting as a result of coaches’ sons normally take a beating.
“If anyone at Nebraska b—— about him, I wish to meet that man as a result of that child performs so rattling exhausting, so good, simply will get his arms on every little thing.”
Hoiberg, who redshirted the 2021-22 season, has spent his total collegiate profession at Nebraska. This season, he is averaging 8.3 factors, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 28.9 minutes per recreation.
The chaotic victory over Michigan State was the second ranked win of the season for Nebraska, the opposite being a street victory in opposition to now-No. 20 Illinois on Dec. 13. In the meantime, it was simply Michigan State’s second lack of the season, the opposite coming at residence in opposition to now-No. 6 Duke on Dec. 6.
Subsequent up for the 14-0 Cornhuskers is a street matchup in opposition to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday night time (6:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports activities app).
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