LINCOLN - Husker basketball is looking to end a streak of losing seasons under Fred Hoiberg with another fairly new group this year.

Fred Hoiberg has gone 24-67 in three seasons with the Big Red, going just 9-50 in Big Ten play. Hoiberg says he knows the importance of winning to the program, the state, and Husker nation.

“At the end of the day, what we’re all going to be judged on is how many times we get in that left column,”  Hoiberg said. “It’s going to be, for me, are we making progress? Are we continuing to ramp up? We can’t afford to take steps in the wrong direction, and then have to go back up. But, we’re taking everyday as a learning opportunity.”

Hoiberg confirmed that point guard Quaran McPherson is out for the season with a torn ACL. Hoiberg said the recovery is expected to be quite long. He also confirmed Lincoln native and NDSU transfer Sam Griesel continues to work under a “load restriction” after off-season hip surgery, but he believes Griesel will be fully healthy by Nebraska's Nov. 7 opener with Maine. With McPherson out, it prompts questions surrounding Nebraska’s depth at point guard, but Hoiberg believes the team has the gap fillers.

“I’ve given the ball to Griesel, Ramel [Lloyd Jr.], Cale Jacobson’s given us really solid minutes with the ball in his hands, I’ve seen some front court guys doing a really good job of creating offense with Derrick [Walker],”

Last year’s group was dominated offensively by Alonzo Verge Jr. and and Bryce McGowens, both who have moved on. Hoiberg says he’d like to see more even contribution from all five on the floor, and believes Nebraska has the pieces to do so.

“It’ll be a much more balanced attack then what we’ve had,” Hoiberg said. “Some of the most successful teams I’ve had in the past, were when we had balanced offense. We put in a little bit of a new system this year promoting ball movement.”

During his time at Iowa State, Hoiberg was known for his run and gun, green light all the time offense. Under Hoiberg, Nebraska’s shot the ball 31% from downtown, and while Hoiberg wants the Big Red to shoot when they have daylight, he’s also encouraging being smart on offense.

“When they have open looks we want them to take them,” Hoiberg said. “But if the extra pass is there to be made on a read based on where the defense is, we want to make that extra pass… it has been a really unselfish group and I’ve been pleased with that early on."

Fans can get a first look at both the men’s and women’s basketball squads at Opening Night with Husker Hoops. The free event begins at 7 p.m. and fans can claim free tickets by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets.