For the first time in a long time, we might get a national champion on the hardwood out of the Big Ten. The upper echelon of the AP Top 25 is littered with one Big Ten program after another. However, the contenders are starting to separate themselves from the pretenders just a bit. Look no further than how Fred Hoiberg and the Nebraska Cornhuskers are still handling their close road loss to Michigan.
Hoiberg said that he spoke with Big Ten coordinator of officials Terry Oglesby about the charge call...
#Nebraska HC Fred Hoiberg said he talked with Terry Oglesby, the Coordinator of Officials for the Big Ten, since the Michigan game about the non-charge call on Sam Hoiberg in Tuesday's game in Ann Arbor
— Justin Frommer (@JustinbFrommer) January 30, 2026
Since it involved his son and star player Sam Hoiberg, of course, he had to make a big deal about it...
“Terry (Oglesby) is great. Terry called a charge on our guy back in 2013 when Will Clyburn drove in and Aaron Craft was in the charge circle, and it cost us a Sweet 16 berth (at Iowa State)."
Referring to a blown call from over a decade in trying to prove a point shows Hoiberg is in his feelings.
"I told him he, as much as anyone, knows how to miss a call like that. It happens. It is a physical game. The block-charge rule was changed a couple of years ago, and it is tough. The thing we needed to do a better job of was hitting early and neutralize Michigan’s length. We got into their legs on a couple of those fouls."
He finished by saying he has a great relationship with Oglesby, but wishes the call went differently.
“I have a really good relationship with Terry…I thought it was a great play by Sam, but it didn't go our way.”
Michigan handed previously undefeated Nebraska its first loss of the year earlier in the week, 75-72.
Comments from #Nebraska HC Fred Hoiberg on speaking with the Big Ten about the non-charge call vs Michigan:
— Justin Frommer (@JustinbFrommer) January 30, 2026
“Terry (Oglesby) is great. Terry called a charge on our guy back in 2013 when Will Clyburn drove in and Aaron Craft was in the charge circle, and it cost us a Sweet 16… https://t.co/pTXHVzxUDw
Michigan has since dominated Michigan State 83-71, while Nebraska has yet to play another game...
Nebraska showed its true colors in the extended wake of Michigan defeat
Look. There is no other way around it. There are haves and have nots in the world of sports. Michigan has won championships on the hardwood and been to Final Fours in recent seasons. Nebraska is a downtrodden football school that is in the midst of his greatest basketball season to date. This is unfamiliar territory for UNL. While Hoiberg had success at his alma mater of Iowa State, it is different.
With another huge Big Ten game on the horizon Sunday vs. Illinois, what does this mean for Nebraska moving forward? Everybody loses basketball games on occasion. How you respond says everything. Michigan suffered its first defeat of the year weeks ago vs. Wisconsin. It was less than ideal, but it still happened. Dusty May's team moved on and has since won two massive games in conference play.
As for Nebraska, Husker Nation better hope their team wins on Sunday vs. the Fighting Illini. Otherwise, all this useless complaining about the officials from the Michigan game will only come back to haunt them. Even great teams lose back-to-back games in conference play. However, a bad loss to Illinois after the Michigan defeat will only suggest that Hoiberg did not have his team prepared.
For now, let's sit back and see if the Huskers can rally together and be the team they think they are.