Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg, Connor Essegian meet with media before first exhibition game

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska men’s basketball head coach Fred Hoiberg met with the media on Monday morning at the Hawks Championship Center to speak about the team’s upcoming preseason exhibition matches.

“We’ll see what we are made of,” Hoiberg said. “But you always learn a lot about yourselves when you go out there and play against somebody other than yourselves for the first time. We had a really competitive scrimmage on Saturday and was really pleased with it. We’re making progress—we’re getting there. But again, I need to figure out my rotations.”

After key departures following the conclusion of last season, Hoiberg is in the midst of building his lineups. On Monday, he told the media four players he would be starting in Friday’s exhibition.

“The four I know we’re going to start are going to be Trevan, Pryce, Braden and Boden,” Hoiberg said.

Fifth year guard Connor Essegian also spoke to the media for the first time this preseason, expressing his excitement for the season ahead.

“I’m seriously just having so much fun practicing and being with the guys—on the floor this time,” Essegian said. “Honestly excitement is an understatement. To be able to be back on the floor and to see what those tickets are doing right now for Saint Louis—I can’t wait to be out there in front of everybody.”

The team’s first exhibition game will be on Friday, Oct. 9 at Pinnacle Bank Arena against Saint Louis. Tipoff is schedule for 7:00 p.m.

Watch Fred Hoiberg’s full press conference here:

Watch Connor Essegian’s full press conference here: