Hoiberg's son provides a welcome respite from Bulls' bad news
Coach Fred Hoiberg got the perfect distraction from the Bulls' four-game losing streak.
His son Jack scored the first points of his college basketball career - in dramatic fashion, sort of.
With 6 seconds left on Sunday at the Breslin Center, Hoiberg was fouled, stepped to the line and calmly drained 2 free throws to put Michigan State over the century mark. The Spartans beat Tennessee Tech 101-33 and Hoiberg played only the final minute, but the game was on the Big Ten Network, the home fans cheered loudly for 100 points and Hoiberg's "heroics" made SportsCenter later that night.
"Oh man, that was really cool," Fred Hoiberg said Monday at the Advocate Center. "It was nice to take my mind off what happened last week for about 5 minutes. It was really cool to see.
"To shoot a free throw for that 100th point, it's not easy. I remember the first time I had that opportunity here. It was free tacos for everybody if I made that. Thankfully, I made it. So for him to step up and knock that down, it was fun to see."
Jack Hoiberg is a 5-11 guard who starred at Hinsdale Central High School. He decided to forego a golf scholarship to walk-on at Michigan State.
After Sunday's game, MSU coach Tom Izzo wondered why Hoiberg isn't taller, since his dad is 6-4, then offered some compliments.
"He's an unbelievable kid. He's a phenomenal student. He's tougher than nails," Izzo said. "I love Jack. I think our whole team loves Jack. He has been a good scout player.
"I bet there isn't a player on our team that doesn't think the world of him. But those superstars that we had (Izzo mentioned Jaren Jackson Jr. and Miles Bridges), it wasn't because they thought his dad would draft them. It was genuine."
Looking for leaders:
Vocal leadership was a topic of conversation at the Advocate Center on Monday. Coach Fred Hoiberg had suggestions for players who have tried to help during the short-handed struggles.
"Ryan Arcidiacono has done a really good job of being vocal since we inserted him in the lineup," Hoiberg said. "The thing about Arch is it doesn't matter what role he is in. He's still going to be a vocal player and person. He does it in practice, shootarounds. We're doing shooting drills over there and he's the voice we're hearing right now."
"The other voices that talk a lot are Denzel (Valentine), who brings guys together in the huddle; Bobby (Portis), who is still trying to lead. Lauri (Markkanen) is doing more talking this year. Those guys I think understand that we're lacking a lot right now with our communication. Robin (Lopez) and Justin (Holiday) always do a good job of leading."
Markkanen joins practice:
Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen, who has missed the entire season with a sprained right elbow, participated in the noncontact portions of Monday's practice. Thanksgiving Day will be the eight-week mark since he suffered the injury early in training camp. … Two-way player Rawle Alkins joined Bulls practice on Monday, a few days after pouring in 30 points for the Windy City Bulls on Friday in Grand Rapids. Coach Fred Hoiberg said the current plan is for Alkins to play for Windy City on Wednesday at Toronto.