Amie Just: Nebraska men's hoops scrimmage at Devaney an homage to the past

Boos rained down on Nebraskas Fred Hoiberg.

Deservedly so.

Hilariously so.

The sixth-year Nebrasketball coach took the microphone after the teams scrimmage concluded to thank the fans for making the pilgrimage back to the Devaney Sports Center, Nebraska basketballs home from 1976 to 2013.

But in his message came a fun jab a not-so-subtle reminder that while he was born in Lincoln and reps Nebraska now, he didnt always.

He brought up one of his favorite Devaney Center memories from his playing days when he drained a buzzer-beater from the top of the key in 1995 to boost Iowa State to a 79-77 victory.

And the smattering of Nebraska fans in attendance voiced their displeasure.

This was fun for me, Hoiberg said after the Red team beat the White team, 66-50.

It was fun getting booed out there when I talked about my game-winner.

But this place was awesome.

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Its fun when teams embrace their roots, like when Penn State plays in Rec Hall.

Would it have been even cooler to have held the scrimmage in the Nebraska Coliseum Nebrasketballs home from 1926 to 1976? Sure.

It would have been meaningful for Hoiberg in other ways, considering thats the venue where his grandfather, Jerry Bush, coached from 1954-63.

But logistically, the Bob worked better.

And for those feeling nostalgic, it was a great trip down memory lane even if the court is slightly different with all the volleyball lines and not as yellow.

My very first coaching game in the Big 12 was in this building against Nebraska, and we lost a heartbreaker in overtime, Hoiberg said.

(Lance) Jeter got a steal on the last possession and went down, made one free throw and unfortunately beat us.

But I just remember this place being an unbelievable environment.

This hopefully feels like the start of something new.

Of course, the calendar will have to mesh right with volleyball, the building's top tenant, but having a hoops scrimmage in Devaney as a tradition moving forward would be cool.

Maybe like what was done with the open football practice, which was turned it into an 1890 fundraiser with affordable tickets.

For an event that came together in just a few weeks, not too shabby.

Imagine what it could turn into if its on the calendar every year.

Other thoughts on Nebraskas open scrimmage: Its October, so this is a bold take to swing for out of the gate, but early indications appear that Nebraska has the makings to be better than last year.

Theyre bigger.

Theyre more physical.

They appear to be more talented at just about every spot.

And, those on last years team have the experience of being on an NCAA Tournament squad.

That does wonders for a team.

Yes, its going to be impossible to replace the energy and enthusiasm that Keisei Tominaga brought, but, the two Big Ten transfers on the roster former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian and former Rutgers guard Gavin Griffiths can go off at any given time.

And on Sunday, that was Essegian.

Essegian, on the White team, scored 20 points on 7-of-16 from the floor and 6-of-12 from deep in 26 minutes of action.

When he gets it going, its fun to see, Hoiberg said.

I thought our guys did a really good job of finding him within the flow of our offense.

Another area where Nebraska looks to be better? An actual rim protector...

When 7-footer Braxton Meah was on the floor for 18 minutes he visibly affected things.

One of the White team players trying to drive to the lane? Yeah, youre not going through that guy.

Meah had nine rebounds, five points on 2-of-4 with a free throw, two blocks, a steal and an assist.

I really thought Braxton set the tone early, Hoiberg said.

I thought his physicality was outstanding early in the game.

He was all over the boards.

Nebraska has something special in the Turkish transfer from UCLA.

For starters, lets not let his intimidating name get in the way.

Its BEAR-keh.

Buh-YOOK-toon-jell.

Complete with not one but two umlauts.

Get used to saying it.

I have a feeling hes going to be a fan favorite.

Buyuktuncel had the only double-double of the scrimmage, posting 13 points on 6-of-12 from the floor with 13 rebounds.

He, also, had three fouls.

Cant say he didnt play hard.

Based on Sunday, youd never know he didnt work out with Nebraska over the summer.

Yeah, there are a lot of new faces on this roster from last season.

Nine, in fact.

But dont let that distract you from Brice Williams and Juwan Gary.

Theyre the glue thats holding this ship together.

Williams looked the part on Sunday, scoring a team-high 18 points on 7-of-15 with 2-of-8 from behind the arc in 25 minutes for the Red team.

Gary, also on the Red squad, scored nine points on 4-of-9 with four rebounds in 23 minutes.

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