# Nebraska Coach Unworried About Rankings

> Nebraska basketball coach Fred Hoiberg says rankings don't matter as team focuses on improvement.
- Title: Nebraska Coach Unworried About Rankings | Shortify
- Summary: Nebraska basketball coach Fred Hoiberg says rankings don't matter as team focuses on improvement.
- Keywords: nebraska, fred hoiberg, basketball, cornhuskers, kansas state, exhibition game, preseason, rebounding, sam orme, jacob lanier, leo curtis, damon wilkinson
- Source: Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI — https://si.com/college/nebraska/basketball/huskers-coach-fred-hoiberg-pre-kansas-state-exhibition-01m5fyttnqq1
- Published: 2026-10-21T21:01:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nebraska, fred hoiberg, basketball, cornhuskers, kansas state, exhibition game, preseason, rebounding, sam orme, jacob lanier, leo curtis, damon wilkinson
## Nebraska rankings
The national media doesn't think Nebraska is a top 25 team.
## Coach's view
Fred Hoiberg isn't worried about it one bit. Instead, he's focused on improving his team day by day.
## Rankings drop
Nebraska fell 13 spots to No. 27 in this year's preseason rankings.
## Coach's preference
Hoiberg prefers being viewed as an underdog rather than a slight.
## Coach's quote
None of that stuff really matters, I guess. But if you can find some motivation in it, then so be it.

> none of that stuff really matters, i guess. but if you can find some motivation in it, then so be it
## Rebounding focus
Hoiberg knows team needs to rebound better than in first two exhibition contests.
## Rebounders lost
When you lose Sam (Hoiberg), our best defensive rebounder; when you lose Rienk (Mast), our best overall rebounder.
## Guard improvement
Frager improved from zero rebounds to seven in first half, needs more in second half.
## Sam Orme status
6-foot-10 Belmont transfer Sam Orme recovering from hamstring injury.
## Orme progress
Orme making progress with non-contact practice and weight room work.
## Orme game status
Orme still questionable for Monday game but feeling better.
## Cale Jacobsen
Nebraska native Cale Jacobsen averaging 28.5 minutes per game with 25 points and nine rebounds.
## Other players
Jacob Lanier, Leo Curtis, and Damon Wilkinson being asked to do more.
## Game details
Tipoff for final exhibition game set for 6:30 p.m. CDT at Eihusen Arena.
## Game history
Nebraska defeated Kansas State 86-85 in early last year's regular season.
## What happens next
Huskers aim to close preseason on high note with strong performance.
## Key takeaway

Nebraska basketball coach Fred Hoiberg says rankings don't matter as team focuses on improvement.