3 things we learned about Nebraska basketball at Hall of Fame Classic

Following a 12-point win over New Mexico on Thursday, Nebraska basketball used some late heroics from Sam Hoiberg to notch a one-point victory over Kansas State (86-65), an old Big 12 rival in Kansas City, to take home the championship of the Hall of Fame Classic.

Pryce Sandfort had 21 points. Rienk Mast also had 20 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Braden Frager secured tournament MVP honors after 16 points off he bench, including a 7-of-10 effort with two triples.

Frager made six 3-pointers over two games, including a key one to help Nebraska keep its edge on the Wildcats. He averaged 18 points over two games.

Nebraska basketball has won 10 in a row. That’s the longest winning streak in college basketball. They have also defeated teams from the Big 12, SEC, and Mountain West — all on a neutral floor.

Looking back at the Hall of Fame Classic, here are three things we learned about the Huskers.

Braden Frager is a gem

It’s hard to imagine the redshirt freshman playing better than he did over the past two days. Frager averaged 18 points per game, but he also shot 72 percent from the field. The hometown Husker was 6-of-11 from 3-point range, and a perfect 7-for-7 on 2-point attempts. He also had 14 rebounds for good measure.

His offensive rating this season is 143.6. Frager’s defensive rating is 98.2. The second-year player is scoring 34.9 points per 100 possessions.

It’s very early, but he would be the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year at this point. However, if he keeps playing this well, it might be hard to keep him off the floor.

Nebraska basketball doesn’t have to hit 3s to win

The team that has the better 2-point shooting percentage will often win the game. On Friday, Nebraska shot poorly from distance, making 8 of 32 (25 percent). Kansas State shot 34 percent and made 12, but the Huskers owned the game inside.

Nebraska made 25 of 29 2-point attempts. That’s where the game was won. Nebraska also played better defense, holding each opponent to a lower points-per-possession.

The Huskers made eight 3-pointers, but they proved on Friday that they don’t have to shoot the lights out (25 percent) to beat a solid opponent.

This feels like a tournament team

It’s early. Yet, the Huskers look and feel like an NCAA tournament team. The Big Ten will be more difficult. Almost every team in the conference feels capable of making March Madness.

That’s not true, of course. The schedule will be a bear. This team still has a lot to prove, but so far, all of the pieces are coming together nicely for Fred Hoiberg.

Each of Nebraska’s last three wins has come over top-100 teams in the KenPom rankings. Nebraska is 41st overall, and the Huskers are off to a dream start.

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