2014 Big Ten Tournament: 5 Things To Watch

Feb 20, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Tim Miles reacts to the foul during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska Has Something To Prove

Since coming to the Big Ten the Nebraska Cornhuskers have been the conferences Basketball whipping boy.  Tim Miles, the coaches pick for Big Ten coach of the year, has led his Cornhuskers (19-11 11-7 Big Ten) to a 4th seed in the 2014 Big Ten Tournament.  That earned them a bye into the quarterfinals but face a challenging game (barring an upset) against Ohio State.

A victory over Ohio State could move the Cornhuskers off the bubble and into the NCAA tournament.  The Huskers recently knocked of the #9 Wisconsin Badgers, gaining national attention as a possible tournament team.

"That’s what we want Husker basketball to be about and that’s what we want it to continue to be about,” Miles said. “We’ve had a good run, a really good run. But we’re only halfway through the journey.”"

The previous struggles for the Cornhuskers basketball program are the furthest thing from the mind of Tim Miles.  Nebraskas second year coach is focused on building a winning program for tomorrow and not dwelling on the past.

"This is my program. We don’t carry any baggage,” he said. “Everywhere we’ve been, I’ve been surrounded by great people and we win, and we’re going to keep doing it. So all that cursed crap, all of the hexing and vexing and all that [stuff] that goes with it is exactly that.”"