Illinois basketball was able to get revenge on Nebraksa this past Sunday, and the Cornhuskers’ coach had some kind words for our superstar.
Sunday was one of the best games the Illini have played all season long. Nebraska had beaten the Orange and Blue back in December, so there was a little extra juice this time around.
The 78-69 victory was big for Illinois. It was a top-five win for the program, and it helped us move up in the AP Top 25. After the game, Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg had some praise for Illinois star freshman Keaton Wagler in the postgame press conference.
“(Keaton) Wagler is playing as a first-team All-American right now.”
Hoiberg isn’t wrong. Wagler ended the Nebraska contest dropping 28 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 from three-point range. 23 of those points came in the second half when Illinois stormed back after being down six points at halftime.
Wagler has been given the keys to the car. Ever since that UConn loss, Wagler has been the leader of this team, as all of the Illini players look for him to make a play or guide us through the thick and thin.
Since that moment, Illinois is 13-1 with the only loss coming to the Cornhuskers on a last-second three-pointer.
Hoiberg wasn’t done with the praise of Wagler either.
“He’s been doing it all year. He finds a way to get to the rim. He gets to the line.”
Praise for Keaton Wagler hits a little different when it is coming from a former NBA player
Wagler has earned any praise that is coming to him. He has played at an elite level this season, averaging 18.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting a blistering 43.8% from three-point range.
I hear coaches talk glowingly about Wagler a lot, but when it comes from someone like Hoiberg, who spent quite a few years in the NBA, then it hits a little different.
Hoiberg is a 10-year NBA veteran. He knows and has seen what it takes to get to and make it in the NBA. The praise from him shouldn’t be taken lightly, and Illinois fans should love hearing the kind words from the Nebraska head coach.